This report reflects the Center for Survey Methods Research’s (CSMR’s) evaluation of the 2003 SIPP Recipiency History Module. The purpose of this evaluation is to examine respondents’ reactions to both the new and revised questions in the module, and their knowledge of their own and/or their household’s recipiency history of certain government programs.

The objective of the Recipiency History Module is to profile respondents’ histories in receiving certain means-tested-benefits. This particular module obtains a profile of patterns of participation in certain government programs, specifically AFDC/TANF, Food Stamps, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) prior to the beginning of the SIPP panel. Specific questions address the first time a respondent participated in a particular program, the length of participation, and the number of times the respondent has been in the program.