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TANF at 25: A Weaker Cash Safety Net Reaching Fewer Families and doing Less to Lift Families out of Deep Poverty

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  • LaDonna Pavetti
  • Ali Safawi
  • Danilo Trisi

Abstract

We analyze the 25-year trajectory of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the nation’s cash safety net for families with children. Since its creation, TANF’s story has been one of greatly diminished access, low benefits, and states diverting funding away from cash assistance, changes that have disproportionately affected the assistance available to Black families. We document how the weakened safety net under TANF contributed to a rise in deep poverty among children in single-mother families and how two defining features of TANF — work requirements and time limits — contributed to TANF’s weakness. Finally, we make policy recommendations to address TANF’s failures.

Suggested Citation

  • LaDonna Pavetti & Ali Safawi & Danilo Trisi, 2021. "TANF at 25: A Weaker Cash Safety Net Reaching Fewer Families and doing Less to Lift Families out of Deep Poverty," National Tax Journal, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(3), pages 763-789.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:nattax:doi:10.1086/716107
    DOI: 10.1086/716107
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Freedman & Yoonjung Kim, 2022. "Quasi‐Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Expanding Cash Welfare," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 859-890, June.

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