Uses of SIPP

SIPP produces national-level estimates for the U.S. resident population and subgroups. Although the SIPP design allows for both longitudinal and cross-sectional data analysis, SIPP is meant primarily to support longitudinal studies. SIPP's longitudinal features allow the analysis of selected dynamic characteristics of the population, such as changes in income, eligibility for and participation in transfer programs, household and family composition, labor force behavior, and other associated events.

One of the most important reasons for conducting SIPP is to gather detailed information on participation in transfer programs. Data from SIPP allow analysts to examine concurrent participation in multiple programs. SIPP data can also be used to address the following types of questions:

How have changes in eligibility rules or benefit levels affected recipients?
How have changes in the eligibility rules affected the program target population, that is, those eligible to receive benefits?
How does income from other household members affect labor force participation and reasons for not working?
How do wealth and income patterns differ for various age, gender, and racial groups?

Because SIPP is a longitudinal survey, capturing changes in household and family composition over a multiyear period, it can also be used to address the following questions:

What factors affect change in household and family structure and living arrangements?
What are the interactions between changes in the structure of households and families and the distribution of income?
What effects do changes in household composition have on economic status and program eligibility?
What are the primary determinants of turnover in programs such as Food Stamps?

SIPP Overview

Evolution of SIPP

Comparison of SIPP with Other Surveys
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Page Last Modified: May 9, 2006

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