Does Work Pay? A Summary of the Work Incentives Under TANF

Focuses on how current state welfare programs, food stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),and tax payments affect a low-income mother’s financial incentives to work and how these incentives vary across 12 states. The central finding is that low-income single mothers are significantly better off working, even at minimum wage, than relying solely on welfare, but they gain little from raising their wage rate from $5.15 to $9 per hour.

published March 1999

Urban Institute
Washington, D.C. 20037
phone: (202) 833-7300



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