Welfare, Welfare Reform, & TANF

Between 1996 and 2001, welfare cases declined nationally by 52 percent, while child-only cases declined by much less. Thus, while the number of child-only cases has fluctuated over time, their proportionate share of the TANF caseload has increased. Children in TANF child-only cases with relative caregivers occupy uncertain territory between the TANF and the child welfare service systems.

Despite the TANF program's emphasis on employment, the policies, practices and attitudes of the employers of TANF recipients have received limited attention.

This report examines the implementation of TANF sanctions in three states, looking at the ways that case managers used sanctions to promote compliance with work requirements. They found that case managers often exercised discretion in deciding whether and when to initiate a sanction, especially when a client partially met participation requirements.

By: Fredrik Andersson, Julia Lane, Erika McEntarfer   Research Brief (in PDF format) Executive Summary

By: Lashawn Richburg-Hayes and Stephen Freedman MDRC April 2004 Submitted to:U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

This report analyzes the experiences of welfare "cyclers," a group that has received relatively little attention in previous research on welfare dynamics. For this study, "cycling" is defined as receipt of welfare benefits during three or more discrete spells during a four-year "observation" period.

This report provides an overview of past research and develops a preliminary classification framework for maternity group homes. The report is the first deliverable to come from the Maternity Groups Homes Evaluation Design and Site Selection Task Order, under contract to Mathematica Policy Research.

By: Thomas M. Fraker, Dan M. Levy, Robert B. Olsen, Rita A. Stapulonis Submitted to:U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

The $3 billion Welfare-to-Work (WtW) grants program established by Congress as part of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 provided funds to over 700 state and local grantees.

This study of Maryland's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) caseload was undertaken to provide policy makers and program managers with empirical data on the characteristics, circumstances, and prospects of the adults and children who currently receive cash assistance.