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Innovation in Welfare Policy: Evaluating State Efforts to Encourage Work among Low‐Income Families1

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  • Gary Bryner
  • Ryan Martin

Abstract

This article examines what states are doing to help Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients move into the workforce and become self‐supporting. We first present documentation regarding many different state TANF policies aimed at encouraging work, including benefit structures, time limits, work requirements, sanctions, and work supports. We then discuss how effective these policies are at helping welfare recipients get jobs and increase their income, by reviewing research on each of these elements. We conclude that the TANF program has been effective in increasing employment and decreasing welfare caseloads and expenses, but that this has not resulted in overall income gains for welfare recipients in the long run. We also conclude that the most promising state programs have a strong employment focus combined with focused training and educational opportunities. In addition, we also find that sanctions appear to be harming those most in need of assistance, and therefore that such policies should be reevaluated and refocused.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary Bryner & Ryan Martin, 2005. "Innovation in Welfare Policy: Evaluating State Efforts to Encourage Work among Low‐Income Families1," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 22(3), pages 325-343, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:22:y:2005:i:3:p:325-343
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2005.00139.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Udaya R. Wagle, 2012. "The Food Stamps Program and Economic Security Among Low‐Income Families, Part I," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(4), pages 223-238, December.
    2. Dugan, Jerome & Booshehri, Layla G. & Phojanakong, Pam & Patel, Falguni & Brown, Emily & Bloom, Sandra & Chilton, Mariana, 2020. "Effects of a trauma-informed curriculum on depression, self-efficacy, economic security, and substance use among TANF participants: Evidence from the Building Health and Wealth Network Phase II," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).

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