The TANF Program: Reports and Resources

TANF Receipt Falls to Less than One Third of Eligible Families - A new report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows a continuous decline under TANF benefits. April 2013

A TANF Misery Index - The TANF “misery index” shows the sum of the percent of poor families (or children) not receiving TANF, and the percent gap between TANF benefits and the poverty level. This indicates how well or badly TANF is performing in alleviating family poverty. Our new report demonstrates the TANF misery index has increased substantially since TANF’s enactment to replace AFDC in 1996. April 2013

In 2011 Participation Increased 7.2% in Food Stamps, but Fell 3.6% in TANF - The federal government recently released data showing that 69,634 (3.6%) fewer families received TANF in December 2011 (1,882,817) than in December 2010 (1,952,451). (PDF) May 2012

TANF Extended but with Funding Cut, New Restrictions - TANF’s federal authorization was extended to September 30, 2012 by the same legislation that extended the payroll tax cut. TANF’s authorization must be extended again before the November elections, so there is a possibility of additional pre-election cuts and restrictions. February 2012

TANF Participation Fell in the First Half of 2011 - Fewer families received TANF in June 2011 than in January 2011. This decrease was more likely due to stricter state eligibility and access policies than to decreased need. (PDF) November 2011

In 2010, Food Stamp Participation Increased over 15%; TANF less than 1% - The number of families receiving Food Stamps in 2010 increased over 15 percent, but the number receiving TANF increased less than one percent. (PDF) July 2011

Welfare Reform at Age 15: A Vanishing Safety Net for Women and Children - In 1996, the federal government “ended welfare as we know it,” replacing Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. This report demonstrates that TANF has shredded the safety net. (PDF) April 2011

Statement of Legal Momentum: Regarding Welfare Reform - Legal Momentum urges Congress and the Obama Administration to move forward with comprehensive reauthorization legislation that will increase federal funding and raise participation rates and benefit levels in TANF. September 2010

Statement Submitted to the House of Representatives on the Role of Education and Training in the TANF Program - TANF's Work First policy has helped perpetuate single mother poverty and single mother employment in low wage “women’s work.” Legal Momentum urges Congress and the Administration to move forward rapidly to amend the TANF statute to embrace the Work Best approach. April 2010

Statement Submitted to the House of Representatives on TANF’s Role in Providing Assistance to Struggling Families - Statement to Congress about a survey and report from Legal Momentum on how TANF responds – and fails to respond - to women fleeing family violence who turn to TANF for assistance. March 2010

Statement Submitted House of Representatives Regarding the Safety Net’s' Response to the Recession - Statement submitted to Congress detailing how millions of women and children are living in extreme poverty, many experiencing hunger, eviction, and other deprivations, in significant part due to fundamental flaws in the safety net and the safety net’s failure adequately to respond to the recession. October 2009

Statement Submitted to the House of Representatives: Improving Work and Other Welfare Reform Goals - Statement to the House of Representatives urging Congress and the Obama Administration to move forward with comprehensive reauthorization legislation that will increase federal funding and raise participation rates and benefit levels in TANF. September 2011

Statement of Legal Momentum on “Waiving Work Requirements in the TANF Program” - Statement of Legal Momentum Submitted to the House Committee on Ways and Means to be included in the record of the Subcommittee on Human Resource February 28, 2013 hearing on “Waiving Work Requirements in the TANF Program” March 2013

The Impact of Welfare Reform in a Nutshell - This report shows that since its inception in 1996 to the present, TANF has continuously shrunk the share of poor families aided by the program. (PDF) April 2012

Testimony to the New York State Assembly on the TANF-Funded Welfare to Work Program - Testimony to the New York State Assembly on the TANF-Funded Welfare to Work Program and Career and Technical Education. November 2008

TANF Work First Helps Perpetuate Single Mother Poverty - Federal TANF policy continues to place barriers in the way of the single mothers receiving TANF who wish to go to school even though 40% of TANF recipients have not completed high school. (PDF) March 2010

Pimentel v. Dreyfus Amicus Curiae Brief - An amicus brief in support of the plaintiff, who is challenging a decision by the State of Washington to terminate state-funded food assistance to lawfully present immigrants who are ineligible for federally-funded food assistance due to their immigrant status. (PDF) May 2011

Public Benefits Access for Battered Immigrant Women and Children - Learn about eligibility for documented and undocumented immigrants, how a victim of domestic violence can becomes a “qualified immigrant,” and what benefits are available to “qualified immigrants,” as well as what benefits are available to all immigrants. January 2010

TANF and Emergency Medicaid Access for Battered Immigrant Women and Children - Explains how immigrant victims of domestic violence may qualify for a “good cause waiver” to the default five year bar on public benefits. Applicants must have an immigration petition filed with the Department of Homeland Security and must show a “substantial connection” between the abuse and the need for Medicaid and/or TANF November 2008