Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emerging from the Downturn a Weaker Safety Net (with State-by-State data)

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a report that is second in a series on changes in TANF caseload since the start of the economic downturn. The first paper covered the two years after the start of the recession from December 2007 to December 2009. This paper extends the analysis two years through December 2011. Both papers rely on TANF caseload data that were collected directly from States. Five key findings are presented and discussed throughout the report.