TANF and Asset Building

The 1996 welfare reform law which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program gave states far more flexibility in determining the best ways to move their neediest families from dependence on cash assistance towards economic self-sufficiency. Policymakers have issued a series of short-term extensions to TANF in recent years while attempting to build a consensus on how it should be reauthorized. Therefore, an opportunity exists to build upon existing -- and incorporate new -- asset building strategies into the eventual reauthorization of TANF. In addition, state governments have broad discretion in administering their TANF programs and can take the lead in helping their constituents save and build assets.

This brief lays out four policy options for increasing economic self-sufficiency among TANF recipients that encourage savings and asset building. For the complete document, please see the attached PDF version.

For the complete document, please see the attached PDF version.