Welfare Incentives and Interstate Migration: An Analysis of the Migration Decisions of Poor, Single Mothers

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of welfare incentives in the decision to move for poor, single mothers. Using micro-level data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and other sources, I develop an econometric model that estimates the influence of state welfare benefits on the interstate migration decisions of poor, single mothers, whether that be moving from states with low benefits or to states with high benefits. This study builds upon previous literature concerning interstate migration by considering new methodological approaches and theoretical models. Ultimately, the evidence suggests that while the welfare benefits offered at the current state of residence and those at potential states of residence influence the migration decisions of poor, single mothers, the effects are modest