Question

Consider two of the income security programs in the United States: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). a. When a woman with children and very low income earns an extra dollar, she receives less in TANF benefits. This feature of TANF will cause the labor supply of low-income women to be . b. The EITC provides greater benefits as low-income workers earn more income (up to a point). True or False: This feature of EITC will decrease the labor supply of low-income workers. a. True b. False

Answer 1

a. When a woman with children and very low income earns an extra dollar, she receives less in TANF benefits. This feature of TANF will cause the labor supply of low-income women to be LOWER. One of the most important characteristics of TANF is that as the beneficiary starts to earn money, they start losing benefits. The more money they earn, the less benefits they receive.

b. The EITC provides greater benefits as low-income workers earn more income (up to a point).

True

This feature of EITC will decrease the labor supply of low-income workers. b. False

Earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit aimed at low income workers (and low middle income workers) with children. The tax credit received by the beneficiaries of this program depend on their income levels and number of children. E.g. during 2020, the EITC for joint filers earning up to $52,493 and having 2 children is $5,828. This program increases the labor supply of low income workers, it doesn't decrease it. If you do not work, you do not receive EITC.