Incentives In The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program: A Review Of The Literature

The alleged disincentives created by generous public assistance programs are common fodder for political debate. However, there appears to be limited empirical support for these statements. This review of relevant literature attempts to aggregate current knowledge of incentives in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Results indicate that recipients in states with relatively lenient programs are more likely to achieve long-term financial independence and maintain strong family ties. It is argued that the most successful programs are those incorporating a person-in-environment perspective.