Returns to Welfare Under Welfare Reform: Early Patterns and Their Implications Catherine E. Born, PhD Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, PhD Melinda L. Cordero, MA ABSTRACT. The federally-imposed lifetime limit on cash assistance receipt compels program administrators to examine returns to welfare af- ter an exit. We explore recidivism among a random sample of 2,665 Maryland families who left welfare between October 1996 and Decem- ber 1997. Using administrative data, we compare the demographic char- acteristics, welfare histories, and work histories of recidivists and non-recidivists. Results indicate that most families do not return to wel- fare within a year. However, almost one-third do return, often within the first 30 days. This rarely investigated “administrative churning” phe- nomenon is important because of the federal time limit, the valuable agency resources which are consumed in handling churning cases and the possible negative consequences of churning on family well-being. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.] Catherine Born is Research Associate Professor at the University of Maryland-Balti- more, School of Social Work. She has conducted research on Maryland’s welfare and child support programs for the past 20 years. Pamela Caudill Ovwigho is Research Di- rector at the University of Maryland-Baltimore, School of Social Work. She has directed research on Maryland’s welfare and child support programs for the past six years. Melinda L. Cordero was Research Analyst at the University of Maryland-Baltimore, School of Social Work, at the time this article was written. Address correspondence to: Catherine E. Born, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. This research was supported by funding from the Maryland Department of Human Resources. Administration in Social Work, Vol. 26(3) 2002 http://www.haworthpressinc.com/store/product.asp?sku=J147  2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 53