The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program is a program that replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program in 1996. President Bill Clinton passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act as well which made this change occur.
Each state has their own setup of the TANF program. There are many studies that have been preformed and are still being performed regarding the effects of the TANF program.Provisions:* Each state receives its own capped block grant to run its own TANF program. * The main family member must be working within two years to continue receiving TANF. * The overall allowance of public welfare assistance is limited to five years.
You can only receive benefits for a maximum of five years. This limit is non-consecutive and is an overall number. * Each state can propose and enforce stricter limits. * For teenage mothers, as long as they are living with an adult and are receiving an education, they can receive TANF. * Each state is responsible for its own budget for public welfare.
* Women who cannot work because they cannot find daycare for their children are not penalized. * Mothers who keep the identity of the fathers of their children a secret are not eligible for as many benefits and are reduced 25% of their current benefits. * Illegal immigrants are not eligible for benefits.Supporters: * The number of single mothers ages 18-24 who have found jobs has nearly doubled. * The overall poverty rate since 1996 has seen a decrease.
* The number of never-married mothers who have found jobs has increased. * The poverty rate for children in single mother homes has dropped since 1996. * Teenage birth rates have dropped since 1996.Critics: * Most mothers who drop welfare do find work but there is still a large number who don’t and those who do get jobs, lose them and then disappear from the radar and don’t go back on welfare. * There are many successful transitions from welfare to work but still those who do still need to rely on family members for help and incomes are rising at the top but not at the bottom.
* The long term effects may be good for some but not for all single mothers and their children. * Some people who leave welfare and get jobs may then make too much money for Medicaid but then their employers don’t offer insurance so they go without. * Satisfactory child care is hard to find for these mothers. * The program is just not working according to reports and studies that have been conducted.
