POVERTY MYTHS

It may come as a surprise, but Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF or what people might call "welfare") was never intended to be a comprehensive anti-poverty program. It was designed to be a temporary leg up. Here are a few other facts that may surprise:

·    States are able to set their own rules about who gets TANF and how much.

·    Reducing poverty is not one of TANF’s purposes.

·    Even though TANF was intended to assist needy families and promote work, the program devotes relatively few resources to either purpose.

·    The amount the federal government gives states for TANF has not changed since 1997.

·    Since TANF began in 1997, the share of poor families receiving assistance has fallen in all states.

Source: Urban Institute, 9/11/13, TANF