States can repeal racist “family cap” laws to better support low-income families, especially families of color

“Family cap” laws deny families who are already enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program from receiving additional cash assistance if they have another child. Such policies are rooted in racist and sexist stereotypes of women of color, particularly Black women, including the hostile “welfare queen” myth. On top of their pernicious origins, family cap laws are also considered bad policy, as they deny low-income children critical aid. New Jersey recently repealed its family cap law, but there are 12 states that still have a family cap policy in place (of which the only New England state is Connecticut). Many of these states already have some of the lowest TANF benefits and serve the fewest number of families. #racialequity