Long-Term TANF Participants and Barriers to Employment: A Qualitative Study in Maine

Authors

Sandra S. Butler, University of Maine
Janine Corbett, Maine Equal Justice Partners
Crystal Bond, Maine Equal Justice Partners
Chris Hastedt, Maine Equal Justice Partners

Keywords

TANF, workfare, disability, domestic violence, barriers to employment

Abstract

Although welfare rolls have declined dramatically since the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996, many of those parents still receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) face multiple barriers to employment. In response to a proposed state bill increasing work requirements and imposing stricter time limits, the authors conducted focus groups and interviews in order to learn about the experiences of long-term recipients of TANF in Maine. Domestic violence, children's disabilities, and health issues for the mother emerged as key obstacles to meeting TANF work requirements for the 28 women participating in the study. Study findings contributed to the defeat of the state bill and informed policy recommendations offered herein.

Recommended Citation

Butler, Sandra S.; Corbett, Janine; Bond, Crystal; and Hastedt, Chris (2008) "Long-Term TANF Participants and Barriers to Employment: A Qualitative Study in Maine," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 35: Iss. 3, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3356
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol35/iss3/4