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Income assistance (AFDC/TANF) caseload

Income assistance (AFDC/TANF)

Fiscal
Year
Average
Monthly Caseload
2023 32,645
2022 28,843
2021 29,701
2020 26,182
2019 25,424
2018 26,031
2017 28,557
2016 31,287
2015 35,160
2014 42,572
2013 48,679
2012 54,436
2011 65,140
2010 64,451
2009 56,461
2008 50,121
2007 51,939
2006 55,523
2005 57,026
2004 55,610
2003 54,642

Compared to Population Under Age 18

  • With the implementation of welfare reform in 1997, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) caseloads dropped dramatically, despite the growing population of children under 18 years old. The share of children in TANF household declined to 3.3% in fiscal year 2023 from 7.0% in fiscal year 2011.
  • The population of infants in TANF households, which had been growing through fiscal year 2010, flattened in fiscal years 2011 and began trending down thereafter. The share of infants in TANF households declined to 4.3% in fiscal year 2023 from 12.2% in fiscal year 2010.
  • The increase in the AFDC caseload in the 1990s was a result of welfare reforms of that era, which stressed the need to prepare clients for work. Nationally it was known as the Family Support Act. In Washington, the program was known as the Family Independence Program (FIP).
  • Policy changes implemented in February 2011 were responsible for majority of the decline in subsequent caseloads.

Data sources:

E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov

Last updated
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
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