What Is a “Case” in Postreform Wisconsin? Reconciling Caseload with Workload

Publication Date: November 1999

Publisher: Hudson Institute

Author(s): Jay F Hein

Research Area: Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: Wisconsin

Abstract:

Over the past 10 years, Wisconsin has seen a dramatic drop in its official welfare caseload. In 1987, that caseload was almost 100,000. It is now around 6,500, a decline of 93 percent. (See Figure I-1.) Under the state’s major welfare reform program, Wisconsin Works (W-2), the welfare cash caseload fell faster than anyone, including the most optimistic observers, expected. Or has it? Consider the following: In 1995, the total number of Wisconsin cases receiving cash assistance, child care, food stamps, Medicaid, assistance to care for a related or disabled child, or some form of case management services was approximately 118,595. In 2000, the number receiving at least one of those same services was 114,725, a drop of only 3 percent.