Experiences of Material Hardships Among TANF Leavers

Experiences of food insufficiencies, inadequate access to health care, and housing-related hardships represent how financial strain negatively impacts the entire family. The purpose of this study was to examine experiences of material hardships by TANF leavers and to understand factors that are associated with experiences of material hardship. This study examined the material hardships of TANF leavers using the 1999 National Survey of America's Families. Data for 220 families who exited TANF in 1997 were extracted. The majority of TANF leavers (53.2%) reported worrying about food, which was ranked as the number one hardship. Voluntary leavers tended to experience housing-related hardships more than involuntary leavers did. When compared to White leavers, other ethnic groups experienced a higher percentage of housing and healthcare-related hardships.