Getting off TANF: Experiences of Rural Mothers

This 3-year study followed 16 rural mothers who left Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. A family economic functioning framework was used to identify pathways and barriers to financial self-sufficiency. At a designated point, most mothers had incomes below 130% of poverty level, inadequate to support families financially. This was found to be a result of barriers such as low levels of education, limited employment choices, and transportation problems. Those with higher incomes had access to education or training programs and reliable transportation. For many of the mothers, extended family support was critical for getting off TANF. This framework provides social workers with a tool to determine the best points of intervention to reduce barriers and enhance pathways to success.