Understanding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families\u27 Reach Across the U.S.

One way the federal government attempts to alleviate child poverty and the associated trauma and expenses is through welfare. Cash assistance helps families make ends meet and maintain stability, reducing poverty and its effects. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF) is one source of welfare in the United States. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the state in which a child lives matters, as TANF’s reach varies considerably across the U.S. The purpose of this thesis is to understand why some states reach more needy families than other states and to suggest policy recommendations to help TANF’s reach be more consistent across states