Brief Should States Receive More Equal TANF Funding? David Merriman Display Date May 20, 2002 File File Download Report (79.82 KB) Large funding differences reflect the realities of the old welfare system and unfairly disadvantage many states. Research Areas Economic mobility and inequality Social safety net Taxes and budgets Tags Fiscal policy Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State programs, budgets State and local tax issues