The Effect of Migration on Earnings and Welfare Benefit Receipt
This paper analyzes the outcomes of single mothers who move. I find that the earnings of single mother movers decline sharply relative to stayers in the years before moving. Based on this evidence, I propose a model in which individuals migrate in order to break away from persistent negative earnings shocks. On average, the wage earner migrants increase their expected earnings and income nineteen percent by migrating. Of the women who primarily receive welfare benefits, most change their earnings and income little by migrating.