Federal Benefits Chart
TANF Overview
The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash assistance and work opportunities to families with dependent children. The program is overseen by the Office of Family Assistance, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is administered by state agencies. Although states must adhere to certain federal guidelines in designing and implementing their programs, the features and names of these programs can vary significantly by state.
Key Decision Points
- Upon incarceration = TANF eligibility terminated; in some states, however, eligibility may remain unchanged until the beneficiary is convicted or if the beneficiary is held in jail under a certain period of time
- After felony drug conviction = TANF eligibility permanently terminated unless state law dictates otherwise; in addition, in some cases, eligibility may remain unchanged for child beneficiaries
- 3 months prior to release = new TANF application begun
Federal Funding Agency
Office of Family Assistance, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Relevant State/Local Agency, Office, and Contacts
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Features
TANF is a federal grant program created to provide temporary cash assistance and services to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. Types of TANF-funded services vary, and some states have allocated TANF funds specifically for drug and alcohol treatment. Some elements of TANF programs are also designed to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families as well as the prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
TANF requires parent beneficiaries to engage in work activities, defined under federal rules. However, in some instances due to age or disability, beneficiaries might be exempt from the work requirement; local TANF offices should have this information available.
Eligibility
- Income
- Other
To be eligible for TANF benefits, applicants must serve as a custodial parent. Policies that determine when incarcerated individuals lose custody of their children differ from state to state. Many states continue TANF benefits until the individual is convicted, and some states extend benefits beyond conviction if the jail sentence is short.
Once individuals receiving TANF are no longer considered custodial parents, their benefits are terminated. However, children in needy families retain their TANF eligibility even when their parents are ruled ineligible. In addition, individuals who are ineligible for regular TANF benefits may be eligible for nonrecurrent TANF benefits when they are released. These benefits are limited to four months and are designed to deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need, rather than recurrent or ongoing needs.
Potential Limitations
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (the 1996 “welfare law”) includes a lifetime ban on TANF benefits for anyone who receives a felony drug conviction after August 22, 1996. No one is exempt, including pregnant women and individuals participating in treatment. However, states have flexibility to opt out of or modify this federal provision, and a number of states have enacted legislation to make individuals with felony drug convictions eligible for some or all TANF benefits. For more information, see the Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council, Policy Statement 24.
The 1996 welfare law also prohibits states from providing TANF benefits to anyone who is in legal violation of his or her probation or parole.
Examples
Welfare to Work Transition Project (N.Y.): Using $5 million in unspent FY2001 TANF funds, New York State launched a project to divert individuals from prison and help them move from welfare to work simultaneously. The funds support programs providing alcohol and drug treatment, family reunification services, parenting skills training, and employment assistance to postrelease parents in families with TANF-eligible children.
Project RIO (Tex.): Case managers for Project RIO, an employment program for individuals who have been released from prison or jail, seek to co-enroll eligible participants in the state TANF-funded employment and training program called Choices.
The Justice Center does not endorse or promote any particular program.