EHC means-tested program reference year receipt variables for RSSICOV, RFSCOV, RWICCOV, RTANFCOV, and RGACOV

As indicated by the variable universe description, for Waves 2-4 of the 2014 SIPP panel, in universe values for the EHC means-tested annual receipt variables are restricted to observations with a record in month 12 (MONTHCODE = 12).  All other responses – those without a record in month 12 – are assigned a not in universe value for these variables. 

For the small number of observations without a record in month 12 that have a “yes” value for monthly receipt sometime between January and November, this restriction has the consequence of the person having an in universe “yes” value in one or more but a not in universe value for annual receipt.

To expand the annual coverage variables to include these cases, data users can assign observations without a record in month 12 a “yes” value for annual coverage if observations have one or more months showing program receipt. 

A further restriction imposed on the universe of RSSICOV, which is not new to wave 2, requires people to be born in or before the first month of the reference period.