Income Supports and Work Requirement Policies: An Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda

This Mathematica Policy Research brief explores evidence on work requirements in social programs for families with young children. It finds gaps in the access of and participation in income support programs, including TANF, particularly along geographic, race, and ethnicity lines. Thus, research needs to be conducted on these disparities to better inform caseworkers and policymakers. The report also offers strategies for creating better support programs; for example, evidence shows that having incentives, less strict rules, and two-generation strategies can create long-term socioeconomic success for TANF participants.