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TANF and Employment Issues

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, created in 1996, requires most welfare recipients to work and imposes time limits on welfare benefits. Recent changes in federal TANF rules place new pressures on states to reduce their welfare caseloads and increase the proportion of their TANF recipients in work activities. Mathematica’s research is providing useful guidance to states in this evolving policy environment.

Our Featured Work

The Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse: The What Works Clearinghouse of Proven and Promising Approaches to Move Welfare Recipients to Work

People who run programs for low-income job seekers and those seeking to promote policies that can improve employment outcomes for low-income individuals need evidence about what works.

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Exploring Measurement of Performance Outcomes and Work Requirements in Programs Promoting Economic Independence (EMPOWERED)

The purpose of this study is to conduct a cross-cutting examination of the use of performance measures, work requirements, and child support requirements among human services programs that include a focus on promoting self-sufficiency.

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