DOI: 10.3886/icpsr02625.v1
title: Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) 1996 Panel
title: Version 1

description: This data collection is part of a longitudinal survey
designed to provide detailed information on the economic situation of
households and persons in the United States. These data examine the
distribution of income, wealth, and poverty in American society and
gauge the effects of federal and state programs on the well-being of
families and individuals. 
There are three basic elements contained in
the survey. The first is a control card that records basic social and
demographic characteristics for each person in a household, as well as
changes in such characteristics over the course of the interviewing
period. These include age, sex, race, ethnic origin, marital status,
household relationship, education, and veteran status. Limited data
are provided on housing unit characteristics such as units in
structure, tenure, access, and complete kitchen facilities. The second
element is the core portion of the questionnaire, with questions
repeated at each interview on labor force activity, types and amounts
of income, and participation in various cash and noncash benefit
programs for each month of the four-month reference period. Data for
employed persons include number of hours and weeks worked, earnings,
and weeks without a job. Nonworkers are classified as unemployed or
not in the labor force. In addition to providing income data
associated with labor force activity, the core questions cover nearly
50 other types of income. Core data also include postsecondary school
attendance, public or private subsidized rental housing, low-income
energy assistance, and school breakfast and lunch participation. The
third element consists of topical modules, which are a series of
supplemental questions asked during selected household visits.
Topical modules include some core data to link individuals to the core
files.
The Wave 1 Topical Module covers recipiency and employment
history. The Wave 2 Topical Module includes work disability, education
and training, marital, migration, and fertility histories, and
household relationships. The Wave 3 Topical Module covers medical
expenses and utilization of health care, work-related expenses and
child support, assets and liabilities, real estate, shelter costs,
dependent care and vehicles, value of business, interest earning
accounts, rental properties, stocks and mutual fund shares, mortgages,
and other assets. The Wave 4 Topical Module covers disability, taxes,
child care, and annual income and retirement accounts. Data in the
Wave 5 Topical Module describe child support, school enrollment and
financing, support for nonhousehold members, adult and child
disability, and employer-provided health benefits. Data in the Wave 6
Topical Module provide information on medical expenses, work-related
expenses and child support paid, assets and liabilities, real estate,
shelter costs, dependent care and vehicles, value of business,
interest-earning accounts, rental properties, stock and mutual fund
shares, mortgages, other financial investments. Wave 7 Topical Module
includes annual income and retirement accounts, home health care,
retirement expectations and pension plan coverage, and taxes. Wave 8
Topical Module covers adult well-being and welfare reform. Wave 9
Topical Module is the same as Waves 3 and 6 Topical Modules. Wave 10
Topical Module focuses on work schedules, disablility, taxes, child
care, and annual income and retirement. Wave 11 includes child
support, support for nonhousehold members, and adult and child
disability. Wave 12 Topical Module is the same as Waves 3, 6, and 9
but also includes child well-being.
description: A multistage stratified sampling design was used. One-fourth
 of the sample households were interviewed each month, and households were
 reinterviewed at four-month intervals. All persons at least 15 years old
 who were present as household members at the time of the first interview
 were included for the entire study, except those who joined the military,
 were institutionalized for the entire study period, or moved from the
 United States. Original household members who moved during the study
 period were followed to their new residences and interviewed there. New
 persons moving into households of members of the original sample were also
 included in the survey, but were not followed if they left the household
of an original sample person.
description: Datasets: 
DS0: Study-Level Files
DS1: Wave 1 Core Microdata File
DS2: Wave 1 Topical Module Microdata File
DS3: Wave 2 Core Microdata File
DS4: Wave 2 Topical Module Microdata File
DS5: Wave 3 Core Microdata File
DS6: Wave 3 Topical Module Microdata File
DS7: Wave 4 Core Microdata File
DS8: Wave 4 Topical Module Microdata File
DS9: Wave 5 Core Microdata File
DS10: Wave 5 Topical Module Microdata File
DS11: Wave 6 Core Microdata File
DS12: Wave 6 Topical Module Microdata File
DS13: Wave 7 Core Microdata File
DS14: Wave 7 Topical Module Microdata File
DS15: Wave 8 Core Microdata File
DS16: Wave 8 Topical Module Micrdata File
DS17: Wave 9 Core Microdata File
DS18: Wave 9 Topical Module Microdata File
DS19: Wave 10 Core Microdata File
DS20: Wave 10 Topical Module Microdata File
DS21: Wave 11 Core Microdata File
DS22: Wave 11 Topical Module Microdata File
DS23: Wave 12 Core Microdata File
DS24: Wave 12 Topical Module Microdata File
description: The resident population of the United States, excluding
persons living in institutions and military barracks.