Work Requirements: Increase in Deep Poverty

Last Updated: 09/13/2023

Research shows that TANF work requirements led to increases in deep poverty. You can find data and a discussion in these reports produced by CBPP staff. (Some of these reports are older and were done before the Income Security staff stopped using the word “welfare” to describe the 1996 law that created TANF.)

Boost TANF to Reduce Deep Poverty Among Children | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Deep Poverty Among Children Rose in TANF’s First Decade, Then Fell as Other Programs Strengthened | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Work Requirements for Cash Assistance Fueled Rise in Deep Poverty | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Poorest Children in Single-Mother Families Got Poorer Under Welfare Reform | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Doubling of Extreme Poverty Belies Welfare Reform Success Claims | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Deep Poverty Among Children Worsened in Welfare Law’s First Decade | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Fewer Poor Children Under Welfare Law, But More Very Poor Children | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

After Welfare Reform, the Poorest Families Had More Trouble Paying Bills | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)

Poorest Children in Single-Mother Families Got Poorer Under Welfare Reform | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)