The Interaction of Child Support and TANF: Evidence from Samples of Current and Former Welfare Recipients

Child support can represent an important income source for many low-income families, and the receipt of support may be most critical for women as they transition off welfare. In fact, in the post-welfare reform era emphasizing work and self-sufficiency, child support is seen by many policymakers as a key income support.

Administrators at all levels of government are increasingly recognizing the importance of collaboration between various social service agencies, and the agencies administering welfare (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF) and child support are no exception. In the effort to support self-sufficiency, for example, it is important to make sure that women receive all child support to which they may be entitled while receiving benefits but also after leaving welfare, and that they understand the rules of child support and how much they should receive while on and off welfare.

This report examines the interaction of child support and welfare receipt by addressing several questions concerning child support receipt for samples of current and former welfare recipients. 

Excerpt taken from above report's Introduction.