Description

For all persons in all years except 1981 and 1988, GOTAFDC reports whether anyone in the person's family now receives assistance through the "Aid to Families with Dependent Children" program (sometimes called AFDC or ADC) prior to 1990 and whether the person received assistance from AFDC/ADC during the month prior to the interview in 1990 onward.

In 1981 and 1988, this question was asked of sample children if they currently received AFDC/ADC at the time of the interview (in 1981) or within the last 12 months (in 1988).

Users are strongly advised to review the Universe and Comparability tabs for more detailed information on the comparability of this variable.

Comparability

Changes in the universe and the time reference limit the comparability of this variable.

From 1978 to 1989 (except 1981 and 1988), this variable was recorded at the family level, meaning that it reports whether anyone in the person's family received AFDC/ADC benefits at the time of the interview without identifying the specific person in the family who received such benefit. In 1981, 1988, and 1990 onward, this variable indicates specific person(s) in the family who received AFDC/ADC benefits.

From 1978 to 1989, this variable includes all persons or sample children (in 1981 and 1988). From 1990 to 1992, the question was only asked of persons who received public assistance last month. From 1993 to 1996, the question only included persons who received public assistance last month and who did not live in a single or married-couple family whose annual income (INCFAMR82ON) is above $20,000.

Universe

Availability

• 1978, 1980-1984, 1986, 1988-1996

Weights

• 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989-1992, 1994-1996 : PERWEIGHT
• 1981, 1983, 1988, 1993 : SAMPWEIGHT