With the Best of Intentions

Interviews disclosed a potential mismatch between the needs of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients who requested assistance with domestic violence and the services, particularly the domestic violence waiver, offered by the TANF system. Only a third of the TANF applicants who were referred to family violence specialists requested a waiver of the TANF participation requirements, but all of them reported other barriers to employment in addition to the violence in their homes. The other barriers often took precedence over the violence. The women needed help with child care, adequate housing, transportation, and living-wage jobs to support themselves and their children.