Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Department & Agency:
Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Children and Families
Administering Agency:
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance – Division of Tribal TANF Management,Contact:
The appropriate OFA regional office TANF program manager. Find your regional office contact at: http://www.hhs.gov/about/regions/
Stimulus Provisions:
Section 2101 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act amends the Social Security Act to establish within the Department of the Treasury the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Programs. $5 billion is appropriated to the temporary Emergency Fund for distribution in FY 2009 and 2010. Tribes with an approved tribal family assistance plan, in addition to states, will be able to access to this funding stream.
Section 2103 of the final stimulus Act amends the Social Security Act to authorize states and tribes to use reserve unused TANF funds for any TANF benefit, service or activity. Under current law, such funds may only be used to provide financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Program Description:
In 1996, legislation was enacted which amended the Social Security Act and replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills Program (JOBS), and Emergency Assistance (EA) with block grants to states for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) included provisions for block grants to eligible Indian Tribes and certain Alaska Native organizations to authorize them to administer their own TANF programs in a manner similar to the states.
Press Release: Recovery Act Provides $5 Billion to Assist Needy Families
Program Instruction: Temporary Modification of the TANF Caseload Reduction Credit
