Temporary Aid for Needy Families as family policy for first time mothers
How do low-income first-time mothers use Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) benefits before and after having a baby, and what patterns emerge in how they use these benefits? How might Oregon's new paid family leave change how low-income families use TANF around childbirth in the future?
College of Health researcher(s)
Abstract
Objective
This brief report takes a life course approach to describe how first-time mothers with low incomes participate in Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) before and after birth.
Background
By providing cash assistance to low-income mothers with children, TANF functions as a major family policy.
Method
Population data from a cohort of all births in Oregon across 2016–2017 are linked to TANF participation and employment histories. Centering on the birth event, the study window spanned 24 months before and after the first birth. Multivariate models are used to predict TANF participation around birth. A combination of sequence and cluster analyses illuminate within-group patterns.
Results
Around one-quarter of low-income mothers relied on TANF at any time in the two-year study window with about 70% of those participating in TANF during the 6 months after birth. The most common trajectory pattern (41%) was one of TANF enrollment around birth with high likelihood of exit by 6 months following birth, suggesting TANF may function as a short-term substitute for paid work, that is, paid leave. Other trajectories were characterized by timing of enrollment (prenatal or postnatal) and duration of participation. Clusters with longer participation were comprised of mothers who were young, single, and with less labor market attachment.
Conclusions
The majority of low-income single mothers who rely on TANF around birth participate in short spells and exit the program within 1 year. As more states implement paid family leave policies, low-income mothers who previously enrolled in TANF may opt for paid leave.