Which of the following programs provides a safety net for low-income families specifically?

The program that provides a safety net for low-income families is TANF, which stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. This program is designed to aid low-income families with children and offers financial assistance alongside work opportunities to encourage self-sufficiency. TANF is aimed at helping families during difficult times by providing funds that can be used for essential needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.

Medicare and CHIP, while important healthcare programs, serve different purposes. Medicare primarily provides health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities, rather than focusing specifically on low-income families. CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, extends health coverage to uninsured children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private health insurance. While it benefits families, it’s not a comprehensive safety net like TANF.

SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, provides financial assistance to individuals who are elderly, blind, or disabled and have limited income. It does not specifically target families in the way TANF does, as its eligibility is individual rather than based on family structure.

Therefore, TANF stands out as the program explicitly created to support low-income families, helping them navigate economic challenges with a targeted approach.