TANF Work Programs

Blog

HHS Halts Pilots Aimed at Helping Low-Income Parents Boost Employment, Earnings, and Their Family’s Well-Being

March 12, 2025 - Nick Gwyn

Preventing these states from continuing their TANF pilot programs is both contrary to the law Congress passed and against the interests of low-income families.

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Income Security

College Support Programs Tailored to TANF Parents Can Expand Employment Opportunities, Increase Earnings, and Promote Equity

July 31, 2023 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D. and Gina Azito Thompson

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Income Security

States Have Flexibility to Move TANF Work Programs in an Antiracist Direction

April 21, 2022 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D. and Ali Zane

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Income Security

Subsidized Employment: A Proven Strategy to Aid an Equitable Economic Recovery

April 1, 2021 - Laura Meyer

Blog

Income Security

An Interview With Moriah Geer, Former TANF Recipient, on the Human Costs of Taking Assistance Away for Not Meeting Harsh Work Requirements

July 17, 2023 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D.

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Income Security

Most Parents Leaving TANF Work, But in Low-Paying, Unstable Jobs, Recent Studies Find

November 19, 2020 - Ali Zane and LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D.

Blog

Income Security

Behavioral Science Shows Why Work Requirements Don’t Work

April 8, 2019 - Ife Finch Floyd

Blog

Income Security

Work Requirements for Cash Assistance Fueled Rise in Deep Poverty

November 13, 2018 - Arloc Sherman

TANF Provisions in Debt Ceiling Agreement

May 31, 2023 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D.

Blog

Income Security

Program Administrators Across the Political Spectrum Find TANF Work Requirements Incompatible With Recipients’ Needs

April 26, 2023 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D. and Diana Azevedo-McCaffrey

Report

Poverty and Inequality

Expanding Work Requirements Would Make It Harder for People to Meet Basic Needs

March 15, 2023 - LaDonna Pavetti, Ph.D. , Ed Bolen , Laura Harker , Allison Orris and Alicia Mazzara

Blog

Income Security

Recovery Package Must Include Subsidized Employment to Support Returning Citizens

May 20, 2021 - Laura Meyer

Policy Basics

Under TANF, states require recipients to engage in work activities and take benefits away from those who do not meet work requirements.

We elevate the ineffectiveness of work requirements and options for states to take advantage of the flexibility they have to operate programs that help families to achieve their hopes and dreams.

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