The effect of welfare time limits on families in different states was examined in a comprehensive study that involved the following activities: (1) a survey of state welfare administrators regarding states' time-limit policies and experiences to date; (2) site visits to five states; and (3) a synthesis of research on time limits. The following were among the key findings: (1) states have developed widely varying approaches to time limits; (2) although all states provide exemptions or extensions from their time limits for certain groups of families, the policies differ dramatically from state to state; (3) of the approximately 231,000 families that have reached the federal time limit or a shorter state time limit, at least 93,000 have had their case closed at a time limit and approximately 38,000 have had their benefits reduced; and (5) although homelessness has been rare among time-limit leavers, levels of food insecurity and other hardships such as utility shutoffs have been high. The following items are appended: supplemental data from surveys of states; profiles of selected states discussed in the study report; background information on leaver studies cited in the report; and a list of 48 additional reports and studies. (Contains 11 figures, 28 tables, and 40 references.) (MN)