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Low income families' utilization of the Federal “Safety Net”: Individual and state-level predictors of TANF and Food Stamp receipt

Author

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  • Purtell, Kelly M.
  • Gershoff, Elizabeth T.
  • Aber, J. Lawrence

Abstract

Two of the primary programs through which the federal government provides benefits to low income families are the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Food Stamp program. However, many eligible low income families do not actually receive these benefits. We combined state-level policy data with rich data on a national sample of low income families to investigate family and state-level predictors of TANF and Food Stamp receipt. Our findings indicate: 1) families experiencing more economic hardship and health challenges are more likely to receive benefits, and 2) states' coverage is associated with families' receipt of TANF, but not Food Stamps. Implications for policy and research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Purtell, Kelly M. & Gershoff, Elizabeth T. & Aber, J. Lawrence, 2012. "Low income families' utilization of the Federal “Safety Net”: Individual and state-level predictors of TANF and Food Stamp receipt," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 713-724.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:34:y:2012:i:4:p:713-724
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.12.016
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    Cited by:

    1. Yue Qin & Douglas A. Sneddon & Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth & Dave Topp & Rena A. Sterrett & Jake R. Newton & Heather A. Eicher-Miller, 2023. "Grit but Not Help-Seeking Was Associated with Food Insecurity among Low Income, At-Risk Rural Veterans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Slack, Kristen S. & Kim, Bomi & Yang, Mi-Youn & Berger, Lawrence M., 2014. "The economic safety net for low-income families with children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 213-219.
    3. Yunhee Chang & Jinhee Kim & Swarn Chatterjee, 2018. "Health Care Expenditures, Financial Stability, and Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)," Papers 1811.05421, arXiv.org.

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