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TANF: what went wrong and what to do next
1Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University. vickilens@aol.com
Social Work
|August 27, 2002
Summary
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, despite claims of success, has not achieved self-sufficiency for many poor families. Economic conditions, not program design, explain reduced welfare rolls, risking future problems.
Area of Science:
- Social Policy
- Economics
- Public Health
Background:
- The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, enacted as welfare reform, is often cited as a success.
- Public and legislative opinion largely views the welfare debate as settled and TANF as effective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the accumulated data on TANF's impact.
- To challenge the prevailing narrative of TANF's success by analyzing its effect on poor women and families.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of accumulated data on the effects of welfare reform under TANF.
- Examination of the relationship between economic conditions and welfare rolls.
Main Results:
- Contrary to popular belief, the goal of self-sufficiency remains unattainable for a significant number of poor individuals and families.
- TANF appears to be harming, rather than helping, vulnerable populations.
- The perceived success of TANF is largely attributed to a booming economy and expanding labor market, not program effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- The optimism surrounding TANF's reduction in welfare rolls is misplaced and potentially dangerous.
- TANF's failure to address workplace barriers to self-sufficiency may exacerbate future welfare issues.
- Social workers should advocate for TANF modifications to better support recipients.