Shortchanging Survivors: The Family Violence Option for TANF Benefits

This report details the Family Violence Option and some of the current issues that exist in implementing the policy for violence victims. Case studies are given based on the policies and practices in New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. Each city’s data was examined to determine how many TANF applicants identified themselves as victims of domestic violence and how many were granted waivers and given services as mandated by the Family Violence Option. Recommendations are provided for Federal, State, and local TANF agencies as well as domestic violence advocates.