Racial Inequality in Receiving Transitional Support Services and Being Sanctioned Among TANF Recipients: A Group Threat Hypothesis

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether race or ethnicity is a factor that affects the chances of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients receiving three transitional supportive services—child-care subsidy, transitional Medicaid, and transportation/rent assistance—as well as being sanctioned. A sample of 676 adult parents who left TANF in 1998 or 1999 was analyzed with logistic regressions, using a national data set, The National Survey of America's Families (NASF) 1999. The results show that Hispanic recipients were less likely than White recipients to receive transportation/rent assistance and that African American recipients were less likely than White recipients to receive transitional Medicaid. Also, a state's high percentage of Hispanics reduced recipients' chances of receiving any three transitional support services in that state, and African American recipients were more likely than White recipients to be sanctioned. Transportation/rent assistance was likely to be provided to those who were single parents, and having little work experience was most likely a participant's reason for being sanctioned. Policy implications are discussed.