By: Jamela Clark & Callie Kaplan
The Social IMPACT Research Center is exploring the barriers that families with young children in Illinois face in accessing cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and how racial inequity influences those barriers. Our partners co-leading this project are the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and a research advisory board (RAB) made up of people who currently or used to receive TANF. This participatory action research project involves: learning about experiences of applying for and staying on TANF across the state through in-depth interviews; conducting a statewide survey among TANF caseworkers; and analyzing 12 years of TANF administrative data to explore gaps in access to TANF among different populations.
As a first step, we needed to understand the evolution of federal cash assistance policy that eventually led to the creation of the 1996 TANF policy. Additionally, we needed to understand the subsequent changes to federal TANF policy over time and the corresponding adjustments to the statewide implementation of TANF’s cash assistance program in Illinois. We created a timeline of policy events and changes since 1935 to contextualize our analysis. We believe that the historical context surrounding today’s TANF policy will be useful to other researchers, advocates, and policymakers. Check the timeline here.
In partnership with CCH, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the RAB, we plan to begin releasing our research findings over the next year – so keep an eye out to learn about the experience of Illinoisans seeking to bridge financial gaps with TANF cash benefits and our team’s recommendations on improving access and equity of cash assistance.
Project Funding: This project is funded through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Timeline Credit: This timeline was researched and developed by Emily Dobson.
