This study examined characteristics of families who remained on welfare, comparing the economic, social, and demographic characteristics of women remaining on welfare to welfare leavers and low-income women who had never been on welfare; how the characteristics and income of employed women on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) compared to those of unemployed women not on TANF; how the incomes of employed and nonemployed women remaining on TANF compared to the incomes of employed and nonemployed women who had left TANF; variations in life experiences among those on TANF; and variations in the reasons people received welfare. Data came from the Three-City Study in Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio. Women remaining on TANF had average employment rates of 18 percent and poverty rates of 85 percent compared to TANF leavers' employment and poverty rates of 60 and 70 percent. About 40 percent of stayers had less than a high school education, and many had high levels of depression and domestic violence (similar to TANF leavers). Employed recipients had higher educational levels and better health than did nonemployed recipients. They also had significantly higher income because their earnings were not fully offset by lower benefits. Nonemployed recipients had higher incomes than nonemployed leavers. (Contains 10 endnotes.) (SM)