The question of whether recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) can reasonably be expected to work full time year-round given their available employment opportunities and living conditions was examined in a ongoing study. The study used the U.S. Bureau of the Census' Survey of Income and Program Participation to develop a sample of single mothers receiving AFDC for at least 2 months out of 24 survey months. The sample, which included 1,181 women, was selected to represent 2.8 million single mothers. The study's main findings were as follows: (1) a sizable portion of AFDC recipients already work for substantial hours, combining paid employment with AFDC; (2) although they have more education, job training, and work experience than nonemployed AFDC recipients, those AFDC recipients who do work are employed in low-wage, sporadic service sector jobs; and (3) if AFDC is to be time limited, many AFDC recipients will lose an important share of their families' income. It was concluded that if AFDC is made a time-limited program, the unemployment insurance program will need to be restructured to increase current AFDC recipients' eligibility. (Appended is information about the sample population women combining work and welfare.) (MN)