TANF Caseloads

TANF Caseloads Increase in Most States, 2008-2009

During the current recession, welfare rolls have increased in 38 states. Along with unemployment insurance and food stamp programs, states’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs provide an important safety net for families when parents lose jobs. Enrolled in TANF, families receive cash assistance as well as help in preparing for and finding jobs.

A survey NCSL completed in cooperation with the Wall Street Journal found that TANF caseloads increased in 38 states, including 23 of the 30 largest states, during the past year. Some states experienced large increases. In thirteen states, rolls rose by more than 10 percent led by increases of 34% in Wyoming, 30% in Utah, 27% in Oregon, 23% in South Carolina and 19% in New Hampshire.

The number of families receiving cash assistance did not increase in all states. Welfare rolls dropped in 12 states. They declined by 9.5% in Texas and over 5% in Rhode Island, Georgia, Nebraska, Indiana and Alaska. Some states hit early by the recession saw their caseloads drop after a long period of increases, including Michigan (-4.8%).

In several other states, caseloads did not increase as much as would be expected in a sharp recession. Nine states saw increases of 3% or less during the past year.

States where caseloads rise can receive additional federal funds to pay for the additional cash assistance. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides 80% reimbursement for state's increased assistance payments if their caseload goes up during the recession.

The table on this page shows the percentage change in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families caseloads in the last 12 months for all states, including three where the most recent data was from December 2008 (Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia). The change column on the right reflects the percentage change in caseloads in the last 12 months for the most recent month data was available.
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For more information about TANF caseloads, contact Jack Tweedie (jack.tweedie@ncsl.org) or Christine Nelson (Christine.nelson@ncsl.org) in NCSL's Denver Office, 303.364.7700.