Disabilities among Children and Mothers in Low-Income Families

This Research-in-Brief presents selected findings from an IWPR analysis examining disabilities among children and mothers in low-income families. The findings indicate that single mothers receiving TANF are more likely than other low-income mothers to have a child with a disability. Furthermore, they themselves are more likely to have a disability. Nearly half of single-mothers receiving TANF have a disability or a disabled child, but only a small proportion receives government supports. The high prevalence of disabilities among TANF recipients underscores a need for careful assessment of disability status and accompanying difficulties among low-income families, as well as a need to provide continued income support and expanded childcare services for this highly disadvantaged population.