The effect of disabilities on exits from AFDC

Area of Science:

• Social Science
• Public Policy
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
• TANF imposes time limits on assistance and mandates a transition from welfare to work for recipients.
• However, disabilities among adult recipients or their children can impede this transition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence and impact of disability among families receiving AFDC.
• To provide insights into the potential effects of disability on families transitioning to TANF.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 1990 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).
• Analyzed the relationship between disability status (mother or child) and welfare leaver status.

Main Results:

• Nearly 30% of AFDC families included a mother or child with a disability.
• Mothers with disabilities were significantly less likely to leave AFDC for employment.
• Disability status did not significantly affect the likelihood of leaving AFDC for non-work reasons.

Conclusions:

• Disability presents a significant barrier to employment for welfare recipients.
• Policies under TANF must consider the needs of families with disabilities to ensure successful transitions.
• Further research is needed to understand the specific challenges faced by families with disabled children in the context of welfare reform.