Income barriers faced by individuals in receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Abstract

Research surrounding welfare to work programs suggests a number of potential factors that mediate welfare dependency ranging from a person's degree of employment barriers to their psychological well-being. This study explores how employment barriers, health barriers, background barriers, human capital barriers, and psychological well-being of individuals in receipt of TANF are related to earned income. Findings indicate that employment barriers, background barriers, human capital, and perceived locus of control are significant factors in determining welfare recipients' future earned income. Other barriers including physical health and psychological well-being such as depression, happiness, life satisfaction and optimism were not strong predictors of earned income.