Aid to Families with Dependent Children

US Department of Health and Human Services seal

Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was a federal assistance program in effect from 1935 to 1996, created by the Social Security Act and administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The program provided financial assistance to children whose families had low or no income.

History

AFDC was established as part of the New Deal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. It was originally intended to support widows and their children, but over time, it expanded to include all families with dependent children who met certain income criteria.

Program Structure

AFDC was a means-tested program, meaning that eligibility was determined based on the family's income and assets. The program provided cash assistance to families, which could be used for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The amount of assistance varied by state, as states had the authority to set their own benefit levels and eligibility requirements within federal guidelines.

Criticism and Reform

Over the years, AFDC faced criticism for creating dependency on government assistance and discouraging work. Critics argued that the program did not provide sufficient incentives for recipients to seek employment or improve their economic situation. In response to these concerns, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, effectively ending AFDC and replacing it with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF was designed to address the shortcomings of AFDC by promoting work and personal responsibility. Unlike AFDC, TANF imposes a lifetime limit on the receipt of benefits and requires recipients to engage in work activities. States receive block grants to fund their TANF programs and have greater flexibility in designing their assistance programs.

Impact and Legacy

The transition from AFDC to TANF marked a significant shift in U.S. welfare policy. While TANF has been credited with reducing welfare caseloads and increasing employment among single mothers, it has also faced criticism for not adequately addressing poverty and for leaving some families without sufficient support.

See Also

• Social Security Act
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
• New Deal
• United States Department of Health and Human Services