A recent study conducted by the General Accounting Office (GAO) examined the job prospects of people leaving the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Specifically, the study, shows that recipients of TANF “who had impairments were found to be half as likely to exit TANF as recipients without impairments…” Similar rates were seen among TANF recipients caring for children with impairments as those caring for children without impairments, even when factors such as marital status and age were taken into account. According to the GAO report, former TANF recipients with impairments are “one-third as likely as people without impairments to be employed,” with 40 percent of such former TANF recipients reporting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance.

The GAO report notes that these and other data point to the need for states to ensure that there are other forms of assistance to offer those with impairments or those caring for children with impairments, in order for them to be able to meet the work-based TANF requirements.

The report is available online.