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Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 prompted widespread change in the nation’s system for providing assistance to disadvantaged families with children. In authorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, PRWORA replaced a system that provided assistance primarily through cash with one that sought to lift families out of poverty by encouraging and supporting efforts to work. The TANF reauthorization, incorporated into the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), revised the work participation requirement to require greater participation in work activities by families receiving TANF. Beginning in 2007, states were required to meet a work participation rate of 50 percent with a redefined caseload reduction credit that was lower than the original credit. While some states were relatively close to meeting the new, higher work participation rate, others had to double or even triple their current rate to do so.

This project provided an early look at the strategies states and local welfare offices implemented to meet the higher work participation rates. A primary goal was to provide states and counties with information on innovative strategies that they could consider in attempting to meet the new rate.

During the first phase of the study, we identified and conducted in-depth case studies of three different approaches: (1) using data to increase participation in TANF work activities (Utah and New York City); (2) providing unpaid work experience opportunities for TANF recipients (Montana; Hamilton County, Ohio; and Erie County, New York) and (3) creating work study opportunities for recipients participating in vocational education programs. We produced a practice brief for practitioners on each of these approaches. In the second phase, we identified and conducted in-depth case studies of two states’ approaches to achieve higher work participation rates.

Publications

“Providing Paid Employment Opportunities for TANF Participants Engaged in Vocational Education Programs: Examples from Denver, Colorado; Kentucky; and California” Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates, Brief # 1 (December 2008)
“Using Data to Monitor and Improve the Work Participation of TANF Recipients: Examples from New York City and Utah” Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates, Brief # 2 (December 2008)
“Providing Unpaid Work Experience Opportunities for TANF Recipients: Examples from Erie County, New York; Montana; and Hamilton County, Ohio” Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates, Brief # 3 (December 2008)
“Achieving Higher TANF Work Participation Rates: Case Studies from Maryland and Utah” Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates, Brief # 4 (December 2008)
“Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates: Summary Report” Strategies for Increasing TANF Work Participation Rates, Brief # 5 (December 2008)