Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was a federal assistance program in the United States that provided financial support to low-income families with children. Its goal was to help families meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and housing, especially when the primary caregiver was unemployed, disabled, or absent. Funded jointly by federal and state governments, AFDC aimed to promote family stability and reduce poverty. The program was replaced in 1996 by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which emphasizes work requirements and self-sufficiency.