Changing caseload dynamics are creating many challenges for state and local welfare agencies, including the growing proportion of families with older teens who will soon begin to "age out" of public assistance. According to the U.S.
Since the 1996 enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), the press has abounded with reports of decreasing welfare caseloads. However, as the number of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cases decreases, child-only cases are becoming an increasing proportion of the total TANF caseload. Much of the discussion on welfare reform research has focused on state efforts to meet work requirements and reduce caseloads.
This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agency personnel, offers an overview of programs providing publicly funded paid jobs in the public or nonprofit sector to TANF recipients, as well as of work experience programs in which recipients receive welfare payment in return for working.
This document examines screening and assessment for physical and mental health conditions that impact Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients' ability to work. The document begins by defining screening and assessment and discussing their relevance for agencies serving TANF recipients.
In many states, a significant proportion of the welfare caseload has been sanctioned for not complying with program rules. In those states, as well as in states with fewer sanctioned cases, the penalized clients are likely to have one or more barriers to employment. They may have lower levels of education and job skills and/or be affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental health problems. Or they may have health, disability, or caregiving issues or lack transportation or child care.
This document examines strategies for promoting job retention and career advancement for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The document begins by considering the problems faced by less-skilled TANF recipients in finding, retaining, and advancing in jobs.
This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) agency personnel, offers a baseline for understanding the challenge of serving persons who are being forced off welfare rolls but who are hard to place in employment.
This publication is designed to help TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agencies create specific program interventions to serve TANF recipients in place-based (in particular, housing-based) programs that help welfare recipients find and keep jobs. TANF programs increasingly serve welfare recipients with multiple barriers to steady employment, who may require many types of services and interventions. The brief provides an overview of the following topics: supportive work environment, effective use of community connections, support services, staffing, space, and funding.
While states have the authority under TANF to exempt a portion of their caseloads from time limits and work requirements, it is likely that many recipients classified as hard-to-serve will still need to find work, particularly in those states that stress a “work first” approach to welfare reform. Many will reach time limits having not yet found work, and as a result may lose all or part of their benefits.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 gave tribal governments new authority to structure and administer their own cash assistance, employment and training, child care, and child support enforcement programs. This "Issue Notes" describes some current characteristics of tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs and emerging challenges in serving tribal members through tribal and state TANF programs.