Public Assistance Use Among 2-Parent Families: An Analysis of TANF and Food Stamp Program Eligibility and Participation

Family formation and healthy marriages have been key to welfare reform to improve outcomes for low-income families. Mathematica, contracting with ASPE, conducted this study of food stamp and TANF eligibility and participation among 2-parent families, as compared with single parent families and cohabiting couples. Among the findings, low-income married families were found to have lower participation rates than single parent households.