What Is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded welfare program that provides financial aid to families containing at least one parent and one child. States are required to maintain certain work participation requirements, or they risk having their TANF funding reduced by 5 percent. States are required to make sure the families receiving aid meet all eligibility requirements.

Benefits

TANF is set up to help families become self-sufficient instead of creating a life-long dependence on welfare.

Considerations

There are strict restrictions put on families receiving TANF, including a lifetime cap on the amount of money received, which varies from state to state. Families are also mandated to participate in weekly activities to enhance their education and work eligibility. Adults in two-parent families must spend 30 hours a week, and the adult in one- parent families must spend 20 hours a week participating in work related activities.

Features

Although federally funded, TANF money is distributed to the states in the form of block grants, and the states are able to decide how the money is handed out.

Function

TANF was designed to provide financial assistance to families with children to pay for rent, food, child care and medical bills while encouraging the parents to seek out higher education and better employment.

History

TANF was created to replace the existing Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in 1996.

Resources

• Administration for Children and Families