MATH
AFDC participation is determined in the PAPRAT module, which also simulates SSI and GA participation. (See the description above under SSI.)
HITSM
This model calculates AFDC participation rates for the baseline simulation by comparing administrative data to counts of simulated eligible units by number of children (one, two, three, four, or more); number of adults; the size of the potential benefit (eight categories); and the type of eligibility (single parent, incapacitated parent, and unemployed parent). The model can also calibrate participation estimates to state-based control totals of benefit amounts. In simulating AFDC payments in future years under current or alternative laws, the user must make assumptions about changes in participation rates relative to those in the baseline file.
Comment
TRIM2 clearly has the most elaborate AFDC participation function, which is not surprising given its heavy use to simulate AFDC program alternatives. In contrast, the MATH AFDC participation function incorporates relatively few variables (essentially benefit amount and single-parent versus other unit type, plus, at the user’s option, region or state and race of head) and has not been altered in basic form since it was first developed in the mid-1970s.
Food Stamp Participation Functions
TRIM2
The FSTAMP module in TRIM2 determines participation in the food stamp program on the part of eligible households by using the PCTELD parameter for units with an elderly person and the PCTNOELD parameter for units without an elderly person. The PCTELD parameter provides different probabilities of participation for units with an elderly person by whether or not the unit receives SSI income and by three categories of food stamp benefit amount: $1–$25, $26–$50, and $51 or more. The PCTNOELD parameter provides different probabilities of participation for all other units by four income categories—(1) AFDC income; (2) no AFDC income, but SSI income; (3) no AFDC or SSI income, but earnings; and (4) no AFDC, SSI, or earnings—and five food stamp benefit amount categories: $1–$50, $51–$100, $101–$150, $151–$200, and $201 or more. The participation rates were estimated using data from the 1984 SIPP panel. In addition, parameter PARTADJ can be used to make state-specific
