Zedlewski (2012) says that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program by the federal government to assist poor families. The program founded in 1996 replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The new program endeavors to improve the lives of the impoverished in American society. The program has withstood fifteen years while operating in economic hardships. TANF legislation entails two Congress Acts enacted in 2005 that include Deficit Reconciliation Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The federal government requires each state to fund its families using the federal grant funding.
The reauthorization of the program will strengthen the original work in a way that defines the work activities that specify the number of hours for each activity. New requirements restrict states flexibility to define the activities that count. The federal government helps meet new obligations that allow them to count the hours instead of participating in the expansion of Maintenance of Effort (MOE) program.
The ARRA provides $5 billion emergency federal funds to use as cash benefits and support the low-income families. The TANF shrinks the real benefits and strategies than divert family's enrollment. A diversion strategy will help TANF discourage enrollment since it presents sanctions to the needy families. The previous program, AFDC did not have such sanctions.
Caseloads decline drastically since the passage of TANF during times of economic growth and times of recession. Many families benefit from the program since it works in tandem other policies. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces the caseloads. According to research, specific TANF policies will affect caseloads that include real benefits, diversion policies, time load, and mandated work activities.
An immigrant child qualifies in the plan once the parents’ resources are low enough. The parents that receive SSI disability payments do not qualify.
References
Lerman, R., & Steurale, E. (2013). The Two Worlds of Personal Finance: Implications for Promoting the Economic Well-Being of Low- and Moderate-Income Families. Retrieved November 12, 2014, from http://www.urban.org/publications/1001663.html
Zedlewski, S. (2012). Retrieved November 12, 2014, from http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412539-Welfare-Reform-What-Have-We-Learned- in-Fifteen-Years.pdf
