The research questions that the study analyzed were, “What are the different socio-demographic characteristics between TANF leavers who reach their lifetime limits and those who exit voluntarily?” and “What are the employment and family income differences between TANF leavers who reach their lifetime limits and those who exit voluntarily?The data was collected by the National Survey of America’s Family, they analyzed a total of 656 TANF leavers from the 50 states from 1999 to 2002. The results of the study demonstrates that TANF leavers who reached their lifetime limit were less likely to be employed and have high family income.  Due to these findings one can conclude that there should be an extension on the lifetime limit and to implement follow up services.

The method of data analysis was found with multiple regression results, chi square, and t test results. Through chi square and t test analysis they wanted to see if there was a difference in socio-demographic characteristics between TANF leavers and those who left voluntarily. The study also used correlation to determine the significance between the independent and dependent variables. The independent variables being lifetime limits, state household median income, high school degree/GED, child care assistance, health problems, and immigrants, married, female. The two dependent variables are employment and family income. While “the multiple regressions were used to find the employment and family income differences between TANF leavers who reached their lifetime limits and those who exited voluntarily.”

The results were telling, those who left TANF because of lifetime limits were found to have more mental health/physical problems, less employment, less family income,  and less EITC. Overall, this study revealed that TANF leavers who reached their lifetime limits had economic hardships due to high unemployment and low income. The study is significant in its findings because they compared TANF leavers and voluntary leavers at a national level. We need to implement follow up social services for TANF leavers which would shape the way we think about welfare public policy.

Lee, Kyoung Hag. “Effect of Lifetime Limits and Differences between TANF Leavers Who Had Reached Their Lifetime Limits and Those Who Had Exited Voluntarily.” Poverty & Public Policy 2.4 (2010): 689-710. Wiley Library. Web.