Summary Recent research studies from across the U.S. have shown: Due to the high cost of child care, low-income families often face challenges in navigating difficult options – spending a significant portion of their income on child care, finding a less expensive but...
Abstract The number of families receiving public cash assistance has decreased since welfare reform and the establishment of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in 1996, with only a few short-lived increases. The early decline was related to caseload exits;...
Summary Nonprofits complementary to public sector: Nonprofit organizations reported their role as complementary to public assistance programs in supporting low-income families seeking TANF benefits. Nonprofits often assist applicants by promoting program awareness,...
Abstract The functioning of the U.S. social safety net as a support for low-income families depends on various means-tested programs and a system of both public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Using in-depth interviews (n = 5) and a survey of nonprofit employees...
Abstract Hard economic times often force a greater number of families to turn to public ben- efits and programs for financial help. These larger safety net caseloads are more diverse than those of strong economic times, including families who are brand-new to the...
