The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Updated July 1, 2019 (RL32760) Jump to Main Text of Report

Contents

• Introduction
• Funding and Expenditures
• What Is TANF's Funding Status?
• How Are State TANF Programs Funded?
• How Much Has the Value of the TANF Basic Block Grant Changed Over Time?
• How Have States Used TANF Funds?
• How Much of the TANF Grant Has Gone Unspent?
• The Caseload
• How Many Families Receive TANF- or MOE-Funded Benefits and Services?
• How Many Families and People Currently Receive TANF- or MOE-Funded "Assistance"?
• How Does the Current Assistance Caseload Level Compare with Historical Levels?
• What Are the Characteristics of Families Receiving TANF Assistance?
• TANF Cash Benefits: How Much Does a Family Receive in TANF Cash Per Month?
• TANF Work Participation Standards
• What Is the TANF Work Participation Standard States Must Meet?
• Have There Been Changes in the Work Participation Rules Enacted Since the 1996 Welfare Reform Law?
• What Work Participation Rates Have the States Achieved?
• How Many Jurisdictions Did Not Meet the All-Families Standard?
• Have States Met the Two-Parent Work Participation Standard?

Figures

• Figure 1. Uses of TANF Funds by Spending Category, FY2017
• Figure 2. Number of Families Receiving Cash Assistance, July 1959-September 2018
• Figure 3. Characteristics of Assistance Families, Selected Years FY1988 to FY2017
• Figure 4. TANF Cash Assistance Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts for a Single Parent Family with Two Children, 50 States and the District of Columbia, July 2016
• Figure 5. National Average TANF Work Participation Rate for All Families, FY2002-FY2017
• Figure 6. States That Met or Did Not Meet the TANF All-Families Work Participation Standard: FY2006-FY2017
• Figure 7. Two-Parent TANF Work Participation Standard, Status by State: FY2006-FY2017

Tables

• Table 1. TANF Basic Block Grant Funding in Nominal and Constant Dollars
• Table 2. TANF Assistance Caseload: September 2018
• Table A-1. Trends in the Cash Assistance Caseload: 1961-2017
• Table A-2. Families Receiving AFDC/TANF Assistance by Family Category, Selected Years, FY1988-FY2017
• Table B-1. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category
• Table B-2. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category as a Percentage of Total Federal TANF and State MOE Funding
• Table B-3. Unspent TANF Funds at the End of FY2017
• Table B-4. Number of Families, Recipients, Children, and Adults Receiving TANF Assistance by State, September 2018
• Table B-5. Number of Needy Families with Children Receiving Assistance by State, September of Selected Years
• Table B-6. TANF Assistance Families by Number of Parents by State: September 2018

Appendixes

• Appendix A. Supplementary Tables
• Appendix B. State Tables

Summary

The Temporary Assistance for
June 3, 2019
Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant:
Gene Falk
Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
Specialist in Social Policy

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds a wide range of The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds a wide range of
benefits and services for low-income families with children. TANF was created in the 1996 benefits and services for low-income families with children. TANF was created in the 1996

welfare reform law (P.L. 104-193). This report responds to some frequently asked questions welfare reform law (P.L. 104-193). This report responds to some frequently asked questions
about TANF; it does not describe TANF rules (see, instead, CRS Report RL32748, about TANF; it does not describe TANF rules (see, instead, CRS Report RL32748, The Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements, by Gene Falk)., by Gene Falk).
TANF Funding and Expenditures. TANF provides fixed funding for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the territories, TANF provides fixed funding for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the territories,
and American Indian tribes. The basic block grant totals $16.5 billion per year. States are also required in total to contribute, and American Indian tribes. The basic block grant totals $16.5 billion per year. States are also required in total to contribute,
from their own funds, at least $10.3 billion annually under a maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement.from their own funds, at least $10.3 billion annually under a maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement.
Though TANF is best known for funding cash assistance payments for needy families with children, the block grant and Though TANF is best known for funding cash assistance payments for needy families with children, the block grant and
MOE funds are used for a wide variety of benefits and activities. In FY2017, expenditures on basic assistance totaled $7.1 MOE funds are used for a wide variety of benefits and activities. In FY2017, expenditures on basic assistance totaled $7.1
billion—23% of total federal TANF and MOE dollars. Basic assistance is often—but not exclusively—paid as cash. In billion—23% of total federal TANF and MOE dollars. Basic assistance is often—but not exclusively—paid as cash. In
addition to funding basic assistance, TANF also contributes funds for child care and services for children who have been, or addition to funding basic assistance, TANF also contributes funds for child care and services for children who have been, or
are at risk of being, abused and neglected. Some states also count expenditures in prekindergarten programs toward the MOE are at risk of being, abused and neglected. Some states also count expenditures in prekindergarten programs toward the MOE
requirement.requirement.
The TANF Assistance Caseload. A total of 1.2 million families, composed of 3.1 million recipients, received TANF- or A total of 1.2 million families, composed of 3.1 million recipients, received TANF- or
MOE-funded assistance in September 2018. The bulk of the MOE-funded assistance in September 2018. The bulk of the “recipients”"recipients" were children—2.3 million in that month. The were children—2.3 million in that month. The
assistance caseload is heterogeneous. The type of family once thought of as the assistance caseload is heterogeneous. The type of family once thought of as the “typical”"typical" assistance family—one with an assistance family—one with an
unemployed adult recipient—accounted for 32% of all families on the rolls in FY2016. Additionally, 31% of cash assistance unemployed adult recipient—accounted for 32% of all families on the rolls in FY2016. Additionally, 31% of cash assistance
families had an employed adult, while 38% of all TANF families were families had an employed adult, while 38% of all TANF families were “"child-onlychild-only”" and had no adult recipient. Child-only and had no adult recipient. Child-only
families include those with disabled adults receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), adults who are nonparents (e.g., families include those with disabled adults receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), adults who are nonparents (e.g.,
grandparents, aunts, uncles) caring for children, and families consisting of citizen children and ineligible noncitizen parents.grandparents, aunts, uncles) caring for children, and families consisting of citizen children and ineligible noncitizen parents.
Cash Assistance Benefits. TANF cash benefit amounts are set by states. In July 2017, the maximum monthly benefit for a TANF cash benefit amounts are set by states. In July 2017, the maximum monthly benefit for a
family of three ranged from $1,021 in New Hampshire to $170 in Mississippi. Only New Hampshire (at 60% of the federal family of three ranged from $1,021 in New Hampshire to $170 in Mississippi. Only New Hampshire (at 60% of the federal
poverty guidelines) had a maximum TANF cash assistance amount for this sized family in excess of 50% of poverty-level poverty guidelines) had a maximum TANF cash assistance amount for this sized family in excess of 50% of poverty-level
income.income.
Work Requirements. TANF TANF’'s main federal work requirement is actually a performance measure that applies to the states. s main federal work requirement is actually a performance measure that applies to the states.
States determine the work rules that apply to individual recipients. TANF law requires states to engage 50% of all families States determine the work rules that apply to individual recipients. TANF law requires states to engage 50% of all families
and 90% of two-parent families with work-eligible individuals in work activities, though these standards can be reduced by and 90% of two-parent families with work-eligible individuals in work activities, though these standards can be reduced by
“"credits.credits.”" Therefore, the effective standards states face are often less than the 50% or 90% targets, and vary by state. In Therefore, the effective standards states face are often less than the 50% or 90% targets, and vary by state. In
FY2017, states achieved, on average, an all-family participation rate of 53.0% and a two-parent rate of 69.5%. In FY2017, FY2017, states achieved, on average, an all-family participation rate of 53.0% and a two-parent rate of 69.5%. In FY2017,
two jurisdictions did not meet the all-family participation standard: Nevada and Guam. This is a reduction from FY2012, two jurisdictions did not meet the all-family participation standard: Nevada and Guam. This is a reduction from FY2012,
when 16 states did not meet that standard. In FY2017, nine jurisdictions did not meet the two-parent standard. States that do when 16 states did not meet that standard. In FY2017, nine jurisdictions did not meet the two-parent standard. States that do
not meet work standards are at risk of being penalized by a reduction in their block grant.

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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Funding and Expenditures ............................................................................................................... 1
What Is TANF’s Funding Status? ............................................................................................. 1
How Are State TANF Programs Funded? ................................................................................. 1
How Much Has the Value of the TANF Basic Block Grant Changed Over Time? ................... 1
How Have States Used TANF Funds? ...................................................................................... 2
How Much of the TANF Grant Has Gone Unspent? ................................................................ 3
The Caseload ................................................................................................................................... 4
How Many Families Receive TANF- or MOE-Funded Benefits and Services? ....................... 4
How Many Families and People Currently Receive TANF- or MOE-Funded
“Assistance”? ......................................................................................................................... 4
How Does the Current Assistance Caseload Level Compare with Historical Levels? ............. 5
What Are the Characteristics of Families Receiving TANF Assistance? .................................. 6
TANF Cash Benefits: How Much Does a Family Receive in TANF Cash Per Month? .................. 7
TANF Work Participation Standards ............................................................................................... 9
What Is the TANF Work Participation Standard States Must Meet? ........................................ 9
Have There Been Changes in the Work Participation Rules Enacted Since the 1996
Welfare Reform Law? ............................................................................................................ 9
What Work Participation Rates Have the States Achieved?.................................................... 10
How Many Jurisdictions Did Not Meet the All-Families Standard? ........................................ 11
Have States Met the Two-Parent Work Participation Standard? ............................................. 13

Figures
Figure 1. Uses of TANF Funds by Spending Category, FY2017 .................................................... 3
Figure 2. Number of Families Receiving Cash Assistance, July 1959-September 2018................. 5
Figure 3. Characteristics of Assistance Families, Selected Years FY1988 to FY2017 ................... 7
Figure 4. TANF Cash Assistance Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts for a Single Parent
Family with Two Children, 50 States and the District of Columbia, July 2016 ........................... 8
Figure 5. National Average TANF Work Participation Rate for All Families, FY2002-
FY2017 ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Figure 6. States That Met or Did Not Meet the TANF All-Families Work Participation
Standard: FY2006-FY2017 ........................................................................................................ 12
Figure 7. Two-Parent TANF Work Participation Standard, Status by State: FY2006-
FY2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Tables
Table 1. TANF Basic Block Grant Funding in Nominal and Constant Dollars ............................... 2
Table 2. TANF Assistance Caseload: September 2018 .................................................................... 4

Table A-1. Trends in the Cash Assistance Caseload: 1961-2017 ................................................... 15
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Table A-2. Families Receiving AFDC/TANF Assistance by Family Category, Selected
Years, FY1988-FY2017 ............................................................................................................. 17
Table B-1. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category .................................................. 18
Table B-2. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category as a Percentage of Total
Federal TANF and State MOE Funding ..................................................................................... 21
Table B-3. Unspent TANF Funds at the End of FY2017 ............................................................... 24
Table B-4. Number of Families, Recipients, Children, and Adults Receiving TANF
Assistance by State, September 2018 ......................................................................................... 25
Table B-5. Number of Needy Families with Children Receiving Assistance by State,
September of Selected Years ...................................................................................................... 27
Table B-6. TANF Assistance Families by Number of Parents by State: September 2018 ............ 29

Appendixes
Appendix A. Supplementary Tables .............................................................................................. 15
Appendix B. State Tables .............................................................................................................. 18

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 32


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Introduction
not meet work standards are at risk of being penalized by a reduction in their block grant.

Introduction

This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about the Temporary Assistance for This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about the Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) block grant. It is intended to serve as a quick reference to provide easy Needy Families (TANF) block grant. It is intended to serve as a quick reference to provide easy
access to information and access to information and datadata. Appendix B presents a series of tables with state-level data. This presents a series of tables with state-level data. This
report does not provide information on TANF program rules (for a discussion of TANF rules, seereport does not provide information on TANF program rules (for a discussion of TANF rules, see
CRS Report RL32748, CRS Report RL32748, The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A
Primer on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements, by Gene Falk)., by Gene Falk).
Funding and Expenditures
What Is TANF’'s Funding Status?
On January 24, 2019, the President signed legislation (P.L. 116-4) that funds TANF and related On January 24, 2019, the President signed legislation (P.L. 116-4) that funds TANF and related
programs through June 30, 2019. The law permits states to receive their quarterly TANF grants programs through June 30, 2019. The law permits states to receive their quarterly TANF grants
for the second quarter (January-March) and third quarter (April-June) of FY2019. for the second quarter (January-March) and third quarter (April-June) of FY2019. The majority
leader has announced that the House is to considerOn June 27, 2019, the Senate gave final congressional approval to House-passed legislation (H.R. 2940 legislation (H.R. 2940) that would extend TANF and related funding (including mandatory child care grants to states)) during the week of
June 3, 2019, that would extend TANF funding for the remainder of FY2019 through September for the remainder of FY2019 through September
30, 2019. The legislation is expected to be considered under the expedited suspension of the rules
procedure, which, among its principal features, requires a two-thirds vote of the House for
passage.
30, 2019. It currently awaits presidential action. How Are State TANF Programs Funded?
TANF programs are funded through a combination of federal and state funds. In FY2018, TANF TANF programs are funded through a combination of federal and state funds. In FY2018, TANF
has two federal grants to states. The bulk of the TANF funding is in a basic block grant to the has two federal grants to states. The bulk of the TANF funding is in a basic block grant to the
states, totaling $16.5 billion for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the states, totaling $16.5 billion for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the
Virgin Islands, and American Indian tribes. There is also a contingency fund available that Virgin Islands, and American Indian tribes. There is also a contingency fund available that
provides extra federal funds to states that meet certain conditions.provides extra federal funds to states that meet certain conditions.
Additionally, states are required to expend a minimum amount of their own funds for TANF and Additionally, states are required to expend a minimum amount of their own funds for TANF and
TANF-related activities under what is known as the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. TANF-related activities under what is known as the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.
States are required to spend at least 75% of what they spent in FY1994 on TANFStates are required to spend at least 75% of what they spent in FY1994 on TANF’'s predecessor s predecessor
programs. The minimum MOE amount, in total, is $10.3 billion per year for the 50 states, the programs. The minimum MOE amount, in total, is $10.3 billion per year for the 50 states, the
District of Columbia, and the territories.District of Columbia, and the territories.
How Much Has the Value of the TANF Basic Block Grant Changed
Over Time?
TANF was created in the 1996 welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility and Work TANF was created in the 1996 welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA, P.L. 104-193). A TANF basic block grant Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA, P.L. 104-193). A TANF basic block grant
amount—both nationally and for each state—was established in the 1996 welfare reform law. The amount—both nationally and for each state—was established in the 1996 welfare reform law. The
amount established in that law for the 50 states, District of Columbia, territories, and tribes was amount established in that law for the 50 states, District of Columbia, territories, and tribes was
$16.6 billion in total. From FY1997 through FY2016, that amount remained the same. It was not $16.6 billion in total. From FY1997 through FY2016, that amount remained the same. It was not
adjusted for changes that occur over time, such as inflation, the size of the TANF assistance adjusted for changes that occur over time, such as inflation, the size of the TANF assistance
caseload, or changes in the poverty population. During this period, the real (inflation-adjusted) caseload, or changes in the poverty population. During this period, the real (inflation-adjusted)
value of the block grant declined by one-third (33.1%). Beginning with FY2017, the state family value of the block grant declined by one-third (33.1%). Beginning with FY2017, the state family
assistance grant was reduced by 0.33% from its historical levels to finance TANF-related research assistance grant was reduced by 0.33% from its historical levels to finance TANF-related research
and technical assistance. The reduced block grant amount is $16.5 billion.and technical assistance. The reduced block grant amount is $16.5 billion.
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Table 1 shows the state family assistance grant, in both nominal (actual) and real (inflation-shows the state family assistance grant, in both nominal (actual) and real (inflation-
adjusted) dollars for each year, FY1997 through FY2018. In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, the adjusted) dollars for each year, FY1997 through FY2018. In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, the
FY2018 block grant was 36% below its value in FY1997.FY2018 block grant was 36% below its value in FY1997.
Table 1. TANF Basic Block Grant Funding in Nominal and Constant Dollars
(In billions of $)(In billions of $)

Fiscal Year

State Family State Family
Assistance Grant: 50
State Family
States, DC, Tribes, and
Assistance Grant
Cumulative Percentage
Fiscal Year
Territories
Constant 1997 Dollars
Change
1997
$16.567
$16.567
1998
16.567
16.306
-1.6%
1999
16.567
15.991
-3.5
2000
16.567
15.498
-6.5
2001
16.567
15.020
-9.3
2002
16.567
14.792
-10.7
2003
16.567
14.456
-12.7
2004
16.567
14.124
-14.7
2005
16.567
13.680
-17.4
2006
16.567
13.190
-20.4
2007
16.567
12.893
-22.2
2008
16.567
12.345
-25.5
2009
16.567
12.382
-25.3
2010
16.567
12.182
-26.5
2011
16.567
11.859
-28.4
2012
16.567
11.585
-30.1
2013
16.567
11.394
-31.2
2014
16.567
11.217
-32.3
2015
16.567
11.179
-32.5
2016
16.567
11.082
-33.1
2017
16.512
10.820
-34.7
2018
16.512
10.564
-36.2
States, DC, Tribes, and Territories

State Family Assistance Grant Constant 1997 Dollars

Cumulative Percentage Change

1997

$16.567

$16.567

 

1998

16.567

16.306

-1.6%

1999

16.567

15.991

-3.5

2000

16.567

15.498

-6.5

2001

16.567

15.020

-9.3

2002

16.567

14.792

-10.7

2003

16.567

14.456

-12.7

2004

16.567

14.124

-14.7

2005

16.567

13.680

-17.4

2006

16.567

13.190

-20.4

2007

16.567

12.893

-22.2

2008

16.567

12.345

-25.5

2009

16.567

12.382

-25.3

2010

16.567

12.182

-26.5

2011

16.567

11.859

-28.4

2012

16.567

11.585

-30.1

2013

16.567

11.394

-31.2

2014

16.567

11.217

-32.3

2015

16.567

11.179

-32.5

2016

16.567

11.082

-33.1

2017

16.512

10.820

-34.7

2018

16.512

10.564

-36.2

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).Services (HHS), and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Notes: Constant Constant dol arsdollars were computed using the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U). were computed using the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
How Have States Used TANF Funds?
Figure 1 shows the uses of federal TANF grants to states and state MOE funds in FY2017. In shows the uses of federal TANF grants to states and state MOE funds in FY2017. In
FY2017, a total of $31.1 billion of both federal TANF and state MOE expenditures were either FY2017, a total of $31.1 billion of both federal TANF and state MOE expenditures were either
expended or transferred to other block grant programs. Basic assistance—ongoing benefits to expended or transferred to other block grant programs. Basic assistance—ongoing benefits to
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

families to meet basic needs—represented 23% ($7.1 billion) of total FY2017 TANF and MOE families to meet basic needs—represented 23% ($7.1 billion) of total FY2017 TANF and MOE
dollars.dollars.
TANF is a major contributor of child care funding. In FY2017, $5 billion (16% of all TANF and TANF is a major contributor of child care funding. In FY2017, $5 billion (16% of all TANF and
MOE funds) were either expended on child care or transferred to the child care block grant (the MOE funds) were either expended on child care or transferred to the child care block grant (the
Child Care and Development Fund, or CCDF). TANF work-related activities (including education Child Care and Development Fund, or CCDF). TANF work-related activities (including education
and training) were the third-largest TANF and MOE spending category at $3.3 billion, or 11% of and training) were the third-largest TANF and MOE spending category at $3.3 billion, or 11% of
total TANF and MOE funds. TANF also helps low-wage parents by helping to finance state total TANF and MOE funds. TANF also helps low-wage parents by helping to finance state
refundable tax credits, such as state add-ons to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). TANF and refundable tax credits, such as state add-ons to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). TANF and
MOE expenditures on refundable tax credits in FY2017 totaled $2.8 billion, or 9% of total TANF MOE expenditures on refundable tax credits in FY2017 totaled $2.8 billion, or 9% of total TANF
and MOE spending.and MOE spending.
TANF is also a major contributor to the child welfare system, which provides foster care, TANF is also a major contributor to the child welfare system, which provides foster care,
adoption assistance, and services to families with children who either have experienced or are at adoption assistance, and services to families with children who either have experienced or are at
risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect, spending about $2.2 billion on such activities. TANF risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect, spending about $2.2 billion on such activities. TANF
and MOE funds also help fund state prekindergarten (pre-K) programs, with total FY2017 and MOE funds also help fund state prekindergarten (pre-K) programs, with total FY2017
expenditures for that category also at $2.5 billion. TANF and MOE funds are also used for short-expenditures for that category also at $2.5 billion. TANF and MOE funds are also used for short-
term and emergency benefits and a wide range of other social services.term and emergency benefits and a wide range of other social services.

Figure 1. Uses of TANF Funds by Spending Category, FY2017
(Dollars in billions)(Dollars in billions)

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
Notes Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. Detail may not add to totals because of rounding.
For state-specific information on the use of TANF funds, seeFor state-specific information on the use of TANF funds, see Table B-1 and Table B-2.
How Much of the TANF Grant Has Gone Unspent?
TANF law permits states to TANF law permits states to “reserve”"reserve" unused funds without time limit. This permits flexibility in unused funds without time limit. This permits flexibility in
timing of the use of TANF funds, including the ability to timing of the use of TANF funds, including the ability to “save”"save" funds for unexpected funds for unexpected
occurrences that might increase costs (such as recessions or natural disasters).occurrences that might increase costs (such as recessions or natural disasters).
At the end of FY2017 (September 30, 2017, the most recent data currently available), a total of At the end of FY2017 (September 30, 2017, the most recent data currently available), a total of
$5.1 billion of federal TANF funding remained neither transferred nor spent. However, some of $5.1 billion of federal TANF funding remained neither transferred nor spent. However, some of
these unspent funds represent monies that states had already committed to spend later. At the end these unspent funds represent monies that states had already committed to spend later. At the end
of FY2017, states had made such commitments to spend—that is, had obligated—a total of $1.8 of FY2017, states had made such commitments to spend—that is, had obligated—a total of $1.8
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billion. At the end of FY2017, states had $3.3 billion of billion. At the end of FY2017, states had $3.3 billion of “"unobligated balances.unobligated balances.”" These funds are These funds are
available to states to make available to states to make new spending spending commitmentscommitments. Table B-3 shows unspent TANF funds shows unspent TANF funds
by state.
by state. The Caseload
How Many Families Receive TANF- or MOE-Funded Benefits and
Services?
This number is not known. Federal TANF reporting requirements focus on families receiving This number is not known. Federal TANF reporting requirements focus on families receiving
only ongoing only ongoing assistance. There is no complete reporting on families receiving other TANF . There is no complete reporting on families receiving other TANF
benefits and services.benefits and services.
Assistance is defined as benefits provided to families to meet ongoing, basic needs.Assistance is defined as benefits provided to families to meet ongoing, basic needs.11 It is most It is most
often paid in cash. However, some states use TANF or MOE funds to provide an often paid in cash. However, some states use TANF or MOE funds to provide an “"earnings earnings
supplement”supplement" to working parents added to monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to working parents added to monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) allotments. These (SNAP) allotments. These “"earnings supplementsearnings supplements”" are paid separately from the regular TANF are paid separately from the regular TANF
cash assistance program. Additionally, TANF MOE dollars are used to fund food assistance for cash assistance program. Additionally, TANF MOE dollars are used to fund food assistance for
immigrants barred from regular SNAP benefits in certain states. These forms of nutrition aid meet immigrants barred from regular SNAP benefits in certain states. These forms of nutrition aid meet
an ongoing need, and thus are considered TANF assistance.an ongoing need, and thus are considered TANF assistance.
As discussed in a previous section of this report, TANF basic assistance accounts for about 24% As discussed in a previous section of this report, TANF basic assistance accounts for about 24%
of all TANF expenditures. Therefore, the federal reporting requirements that pertain to families of all TANF expenditures. Therefore, the federal reporting requirements that pertain to families
receiving receiving “assistance”"assistance" are likely to undercount the number of families receiving any TANF- are likely to undercount the number of families receiving any TANF-
funded benefit or service.funded benefit or service.
How Many Families and People Currently Receive TANF- or MOE-
Funded “Assistance”?
Funded "Assistance"? Table 2 provides assistance caseload information. A total of 1.2 million families, composed of 3.1 provides assistance caseload information. A total of 1.2 million families, composed of 3.1
million recipients, received TANF- or MOE-funded assistance in September 2018. The bulk of million recipients, received TANF- or MOE-funded assistance in September 2018. The bulk of
the “recipients”the "recipients" were children—2.3 million in that month. For state-by-state assistance caseloads, were children—2.3 million in that month. For state-by-state assistance caseloads,
see Table B-4.
Table 2. TANF Assistance Caseload: September 2018
Families
1,175,335
Recipients
3,104,094
Child Recipients
2,280,173
Adult Recipients
823,921

Families	1,175,335
Recipients	3,104,094
Child Recipients	2,280,173
Adult Recipients	823,921

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS) based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

1 The definition of TANF assistance is not in statute. However, because the statutory language has most TANF
requirements triggered by a family receiving “assistance,” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
regulations define assistance at 45 C.F.R. §260.31.
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toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. How Does the Current Assistance Caseload Level Compare with
Historical Levels?
Figure 2 provides a long-term historical perspective on the number of families receiving provides a long-term historical perspective on the number of families receiving
assistance from TANF or its predecessor program, from July 1959 to September 2017. The assistance from TANF or its predecessor program, from July 1959 to September 2017. The
shaded areas of the figure represent months when the national economy was in recession. Though shaded areas of the figure represent months when the national economy was in recession. Though
the health of the national economy has affected the trend in the cash assistance caseload, the long-the health of the national economy has affected the trend in the cash assistance caseload, the long-
term trend in receipt of cash assistance does not follow a classic countercyclical pattern. Such a term trend in receipt of cash assistance does not follow a classic countercyclical pattern. Such a
pattern would have the caseload rise during economic slumps, and then fall again during periods pattern would have the caseload rise during economic slumps, and then fall again during periods
of economic growth. Factors other than the health of the economy (demographic trends, policy of economic growth. Factors other than the health of the economy (demographic trends, policy
changes) also have influenced the caseload trend.changes) also have influenced the caseload trend.
The figure shows two periods of sustained caseload increases: the period from the mid-1960s to The figure shows two periods of sustained caseload increases: the period from the mid-1960s to
the mid-1970s and a second period from 1988 to 1994. The number of families receiving the mid-1970s and a second period from 1988 to 1994. The number of families receiving
assistance peaked in March 1994 at 5.1 million families. The assistance caseload fell rapidly in assistance peaked in March 1994 at 5.1 million families. The assistance caseload fell rapidly in
the late 1990s (after the 1996 welfare reform law) before leveling off in 2001. In 2004, the the late 1990s (after the 1996 welfare reform law) before leveling off in 2001. In 2004, the
caseload began another decline, albeit at a slower pace than in the late 1990s. During the recent caseload began another decline, albeit at a slower pace than in the late 1990s. During the recent
2007-2009 recession and its aftermath, the caseload began to rise from 1.7 million families in 2007-2009 recession and its aftermath, the caseload began to rise from 1.7 million families in
August 2008, peaking in December 2010 at close to 2.0 million families. By September 2018, the August 2008, peaking in December 2010 at close to 2.0 million families. By September 2018, the
assistance caseload had declined to 1.2 million families.

Figure 2. Number of Families Receiving Cash Assistance, July 1959-September 2018
Click and type sub-title, or delete

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) with data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Notes: Shaded areas denote months when the national economy was in recession. Information represents
families receiving cash assistance from Aid to Dependent Children (ADC), Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC), and TANF. For October 1999 through September 2018, includes families receiving assistance
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from Separate State Programs (SSPs) with expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort
requirement. See Table A-1 for average annual data on families, recipients, adult recipients, and child recipients
of ADC, AFDC, and TANF cash assistance for 1961 to 2017.

assistance caseload had declined to 1.2 million families. Table B-5 shows recent trends in the number of cash assistance families by state.shows recent trends in the number of cash assistance families by state.
What Are the Characteristics of Families Receiving TANF
Assistance?
Before PRWORA, the Before PRWORA, the “typical”"typical" family receiving assistance has been headed by a single parent family receiving assistance has been headed by a single parent
(usually the mother) with one or two children. That single parent has also typically been (usually the mother) with one or two children. That single parent has also typically been
unemployed. However, over the past 20 years the assistance caseload decline has occurred unemployed. However, over the past 20 years the assistance caseload decline has occurred
together with a major shift in the composition of the together with a major shift in the composition of the rollsrolls. Figure 3 shows the change in the size shows the change in the size
and composition of the assistance caseload under both AFDC (1988 and 1994) and TANF. In and composition of the assistance caseload under both AFDC (1988 and 1994) and TANF. In
FY1988, an estimated 84% of AFDC families were headed by an unemployed adult recipient. In FY1988, an estimated 84% of AFDC families were headed by an unemployed adult recipient. In
FY2016, families with an unemployed adult recipient represented 32% of all cash assistance FY2016, families with an unemployed adult recipient represented 32% of all cash assistance
families. This decline occurred, in large part, as the number of families headed by unemployed families. This decline occurred, in large part, as the number of families headed by unemployed
adult recipients declined more rapidly than other components of the assistance caseload. In adult recipients declined more rapidly than other components of the assistance caseload. In
FY1994, a monthly average of 3.8 million families per month who received AFDC cash FY1994, a monthly average of 3.8 million families per month who received AFDC cash
assistance had adult recipients who were not working. In FY2016, a monthly average of 485,000 assistance had adult recipients who were not working. In FY2016, a monthly average of 485,000
families per month had adult recipients or work-eligible individuals, with no adult recipient or families per month had adult recipients or work-eligible individuals, with no adult recipient or
work-eligible individual working.work-eligible individual working.
With the decline in families headed by unemployed adults, the share of the caseload represented With the decline in families headed by unemployed adults, the share of the caseload represented
by families with employed adults and by families with employed adults and “"child onlychild only”" families has increased. In FY2017, families families has increased. In FY2017, families
with all adult recipients unemployed and families with employed adult recipients each with all adult recipients unemployed and families with employed adult recipients each
represented 31% of all assistance families. The latter category includes families in represented 31% of all assistance families. The latter category includes families in “"earnings earnings
supplement”supplement" programs separate from the regular TANF cash assistance program. programs separate from the regular TANF cash assistance program. “"Child-onlyChild-only”
" families are those where no adult recipient receives benefits in their own right; the family families are those where no adult recipient receives benefits in their own right; the family
receives benefits on behalf of its children. The share of the caseload that was child-only in receives benefits on behalf of its children. The share of the caseload that was child-only in
FY2017 was 38%. In FY2017, families with a nonrecipient, nonparent relative (grandparents, FY2017 was 38%. In FY2017, families with a nonrecipient, nonparent relative (grandparents,
aunts, uncles) represented 14% of all assistance families. Families with ineligible, noncitizen aunts, uncles) represented 14% of all assistance families. Families with ineligible, noncitizen
adults or adults who have not reported their citizenship status made up 9% of the assistance adults or adults who have not reported their citizenship status made up 9% of the assistance
caseload in that year. Families where the parent received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and caseload in that year. Families where the parent received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and
the children received TANF made up 9% of all assistance families in FY2017.the children received TANF made up 9% of all assistance families in FY2017.
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Figure 3. Characteristics of Assistance Families,
Selected Years FY1988 to FY2017

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) tabulations of the TANF national data files.Congressional Research Service (CRS) tabulations of the TANF national data files.
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.
TANF Cash Benefits: How Much Does a Family
Receive in TANF Cash Per Month?
There are There are no federal rules that help determine the amount of TANF cash benefits paid to a family. federal rules that help determine the amount of TANF cash benefits paid to a family.
(There are also no federal rules that require states to use TANF to pay cash benefits, though all (There are also no federal rules that require states to use TANF to pay cash benefits, though all
states do so.) Benefit amounts are determined solely by the states.states do so.) Benefit amounts are determined solely by the states.
Most states base TANF cash benefit amounts on family size, paying larger cash benefits to larger Most states base TANF cash benefit amounts on family size, paying larger cash benefits to larger
families on the presumption that they have greater financial needs. The maximum monthly cash families on the presumption that they have greater financial needs. The maximum monthly cash
benefit is usually paid to a family that receives no other income (e.g., no earned or unearned benefit is usually paid to a family that receives no other income (e.g., no earned or unearned
income) and complies with program rules. Families with income other than TANF often are paid income) and complies with program rules. Families with income other than TANF often are paid
a reduced benefit. Moreover, some families are financially sanctioned for not meeting a program a reduced benefit. Moreover, some families are financially sanctioned for not meeting a program
requirement (e.g., a work requirement), and are also paid a lower benefit.requirement (e.g., a work requirement), and are also paid a lower benefit.
Figure 4 shows the maximum monthly TANF cash benefit by state for a single mother caring for shows the maximum monthly TANF cash benefit by state for a single mother caring for
two children (family of three) in July 2016.two children (family of three) in July 2016.22 The benefit amounts shown are those for a single- The benefit amounts shown are those for a single-
parent family with two children.parent family with two children.33 For a family of three, the maximum TANF benefit paid in July For a family of three, the maximum TANF benefit paid in July
2017 varied from $170 per month in Mississippi to $1,201 per month in New Hampshire. The 2017 varied from $170 per month in Mississippi to $1,201 per month in New Hampshire. The

2 States are not required to report to the federal government their cash assistance benefit amounts in either the TANF
state plan (under Section 402 of the Social Security Act) or in annual program reports (under Section 411 of the Social
Security Act). The benefit amounts shown are from the “Welfare Rules Database,” maintained by the Urban Institute
and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
3 Some states vary their benefit amounts for other family types such as two-parent families or “child-only” cases. States
also vary their benefits by other factors such as housing costs and substate geography.
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map shows a regional pattern to the maximum monthly benefit paid, with lower benefit amounts map shows a regional pattern to the maximum monthly benefit paid, with lower benefit amounts
in the South than in other regions. Only New Hampshire (at 60% of the federal poverty in the South than in other regions. Only New Hampshire (at 60% of the federal poverty
guidelines) had a maximum TANF cash assistance amount for this sized family in excess of 50% guidelines) had a maximum TANF cash assistance amount for this sized family in excess of 50%
of poverty-level income.of poverty-level income.4
4

Figure 4. TANF Cash Assistance Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts for a Single
Parent Family with Two Children, 50 States and the District of Columbia, July 2016

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the Urban InstituteCongressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the Urban Institute’'s s Welfare Rules
Database. The welfare rules database has information for the 50 states and District of Columbia. It does not have . The welfare rules database has information for the 50 states and District of Columbia. It does not have
information on TANF assistance programs in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands or tribal TANF information on TANF assistance programs in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands or tribal TANF
programs.







.

4 In 2017, the HHS poverty guidelines for the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia for a family of three
was $1,702 per month. Higher poverty lines applied in Alaska ($2,126 per month for a family of three) and Hawaii
($1,933 per month for a family of three).
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programs. TANF Work Participation Standards
TANFTANF’'s main federal work requirement is actually a performance measure that applies to the s main federal work requirement is actually a performance measure that applies to the
states, rather than individual recipients. States determine the work rules that apply to individual states, rather than individual recipients. States determine the work rules that apply to individual
recipients.recipients.
What Is the TANF Work Participation Standard States Must Meet?
The TANF statute requires states to have 50% of their caseload meet standards of participation in The TANF statute requires states to have 50% of their caseload meet standards of participation in
work or activities—that is, a family member must be in specified activities for a minimum work or activities—that is, a family member must be in specified activities for a minimum
number of hours.number of hours.55 There is a separate participation standard that applies to the two-parent portion There is a separate participation standard that applies to the two-parent portion
of a stateof a state’'s caseload, requiring 90% of the states caseload, requiring 90% of the state’'s two-parent caseload to meet participation s two-parent caseload to meet participation
standards.standards.
However, the statutory work participation standards are reduced by a However, the statutory work participation standards are reduced by a “"caseload reduction credit.caseload reduction credit.”
" The caseload reduction credit reduces the participation standard one percentage point for each The caseload reduction credit reduces the participation standard one percentage point for each
percentage point decline in a statepercentage point decline in a state’'s caseload. Additionally, under a regulatory provision, a state s caseload. Additionally, under a regulatory provision, a state
may get may get “extra”"extra" credit for caseload reduction if it spends more than required under the TANF credit for caseload reduction if it spends more than required under the TANF
MOE. Therefore, the effective standards states face are often less than the 50% and 90% targets, MOE. Therefore, the effective standards states face are often less than the 50% and 90% targets,
and vary by state and by year.and vary by state and by year.
States that do not meet the TANF work participation standard are at States that do not meet the TANF work participation standard are at risk of being penalized of being penalized
through a reduction in their block grant. However, penalties can be forgiven if a state claims, and through a reduction in their block grant. However, penalties can be forgiven if a state claims, and
the Secretary of HHS finds, that it had the Secretary of HHS finds, that it had “"reasonable causereasonable cause”" for not meeting the standard. Penalties for not meeting the standard. Penalties
can also be forgiven for states that enter into can also be forgiven for states that enter into “"corrective compliance plans,corrective compliance plans,”" and subsequently and subsequently
meet the work standard.meet the work standard.
Have There Been Changes in the Work Participation Rules Enacted
Since the 1996 Welfare Reform Law?
The 50% and 90% target standards that states face, as well as the caseload reduction credit, date The 50% and 90% target standards that states face, as well as the caseload reduction credit, date
back to the 1996 welfare reform law. However, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA, P.L. back to the 1996 welfare reform law. However, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA, P.L.
109-171) made several changes to the work participation rules effective in FY2007109-171) made several changes to the work participation rules effective in FY2007
 :The caseload reduction credit was changed to measure caseload reduction from The caseload reduction credit was changed to measure caseload reduction from
FY2005, rather than the original lawFY2005, rather than the original law’'s FY1995.s FY1995.
 The work participation standards were broadened to include families receiving The work participation standards were broadened to include families receiving
cash aid in cash aid in “"separate state programs.separate state programs.”" Separate state programs are programs run Separate state programs are programs run
with state funds, distinct from a statewith state funds, distinct from a state’s “'s "TANF program,TANF program,”" but with expenditures but with expenditures
countable toward the TANF MOE.countable toward the TANF MOE.
 HHS was instructed to provide definition to the allowable TANF work activities HHS was instructed to provide definition to the allowable TANF work activities
listed in law. HHS was also required to define what is meant by a listed in law. HHS was also required to define what is meant by a “"work-eligiblework-eligible”
" individual, expanding the number of families that are included in the work individual, expanding the number of families that are included in the work
participation calculation.participation calculation.
 States were required to develop plans and procedures to verify work activities.States were required to develop plans and procedures to verify work activities.

5 Families without a work-eligible individual are excluded from the participation rate calculation. It excludes families
where the parent is a nonrecipient (for example, disabled receiving Supplemental Security Income or an ineligible
noncitizen) or the children in the family are being cared for by a nonparent relative (e.g., grandparent, aunt, uncle) who
does not receive assistance on his or her behalf.
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5), a law enacted in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5), a law enacted in
response to the sharp economic downturn of 2007-2009, held states response to the sharp economic downturn of 2007-2009, held states “harmless”"harmless" for caseload for caseload
increases affecting the work participation standards for FY2009 through FY2011. It did so by increases affecting the work participation standards for FY2009 through FY2011. It did so by
allowing states to allowing states to “freeze”"freeze" caseload reduction credits at pre-recession levels through the FY2011 caseload reduction credits at pre-recession levels through the FY2011
standards.standards.
What Work Participation Rates Have the States Achieved?
HHS computes two work participation rates for each state that are then compared with the HHS computes two work participation rates for each state that are then compared with the
effective (after-credit) standard to determine if it has met the TANF work standard. An effective (after-credit) standard to determine if it has met the TANF work standard. An “"all-families"all-
families” work participation rate is computed and compared with the all-families effective work participation rate is computed and compared with the all-families effective
standard (50% minus the statestandard (50% minus the state’'s caseload reduction credit). HHS also computes a two-parent s caseload reduction credit). HHS also computes a two-parent
work participation rate that is compared with the two-parent effective standard (90% minus the work participation rate that is compared with the two-parent effective standard (90% minus the
state’state's caseload reduction credit).s caseload reduction credit).
Figure 5 shows the national average all-families work participation rate for FY2002 through shows the national average all-families work participation rate for FY2002 through
FY2017. For the period FY2002 through FY2011, states achieved an average all-families work FY2017. For the period FY2002 through FY2011, states achieved an average all-families work
participation rate hovering around 30%. The work participation rate increased since then. In participation rate hovering around 30%. The work participation rate increased since then. In
FY2016, it exceeded 50% for the first time since TANF was established. However, it is important FY2016, it exceeded 50% for the first time since TANF was established. However, it is important
to note that the increase in the work participation rate has not come from an increase in the to note that the increase in the work participation rate has not come from an increase in the
number of recipients in regular TANF assistance programs who are either working or in job number of recipients in regular TANF assistance programs who are either working or in job
preparation activities. This increase stems mostly from states creating new preparation activities. This increase stems mostly from states creating new “"earnings supplementearnings supplement”
" programs that use TANF funds to aid working parents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs that use TANF funds to aid working parents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) or who have left the regular TANF assistance programs Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) or who have left the regular TANF assistance programs
for work.6

6 See CRS In Focus IF10856, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Work Requirements.
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for work.⁶

Figure 5. National Average TANF Work Participation Rate for All Families, FY2002-
FY2017

FY2017 Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
How Many Jurisdictions Did Not Meet the All-Families Standard?
Figure 6 shows which states did not meet the TANF all-families work participation standards shows which states did not meet the TANF all-families work participation standards
from FY2006 through FY2017. Before FY2007, the first year that DRA was effective, only a few from FY2006 through FY2017. Before FY2007, the first year that DRA was effective, only a few
jurisdictions did not meet TANF all-families work participation standards. However, in FY2007, jurisdictions did not meet TANF all-families work participation standards. However, in FY2007,
15 jurisdictions did not meet the all-families standard. This number declined to 9 in FY2008 and 15 jurisdictions did not meet the all-families standard. This number declined to 9 in FY2008 and
8 in FY2009.8 in FY2009.
In FY2012, despite the uptick in the national average work participation rate, 16 states did not In FY2012, despite the uptick in the national average work participation rate, 16 states did not
meet the all-family standard, the largest number of states that did not meet their participation meet the all-family standard, the largest number of states that did not meet their participation
standards in any one year since the enactment of TANF. FY2012 was the year that ARRAstandards in any one year since the enactment of TANF. FY2012 was the year that ARRA’s
“freeze”'s "freeze" of the caseload reduction credit expired, and states were generally required to meet of the caseload reduction credit expired, and states were generally required to meet
higher standards than in previous years.higher standards than in previous years.
The number of jurisdictions that did not meet the all-families standard declined over the FY2012 The number of jurisdictions that did not meet the all-families standard declined over the FY2012
to FY2017 period. In FY2017, two jurisdictions did not meet the all-family participation to FY2017 period. In FY2017, two jurisdictions did not meet the all-family participation
standard: Nevada and Guam.
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standard: Nevada and Guam.

Figure 6. States That Met or Did Not Meet the TANF All-Families Work
Participation Standard: FY2006-FY2017
(Changes to TANF work participation standard rules under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 [DRA], (Changes to TANF work participation standard rules under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 [DRA],
effective in FY2007)effective in FY2007)

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
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Services (HHS). Have States Met the Two-Parent Work Participation Standard?
In addition to meeting a work standard for all families, TANF also imposes a second standard—In addition to meeting a work standard for all families, TANF also imposes a second standard—
90%—for the two-parent portion of its cash assistance caseload. This standard can also be 90%—for the two-parent portion of its cash assistance caseload. This standard can also be
lowered by caseload reduction.lowered by caseload reduction.
Figure 7 shows whether each state met its two-parent work participation standard for FY2006 shows whether each state met its two-parent work participation standard for FY2006
through FY2017. However, the display on the table is more complex than that for reporting through FY2017. However, the display on the table is more complex than that for reporting
whether a state met or did not meet its whether a state met or did not meet its “"all familyall family”" rate. rate.
A substantial number of states have reported A substantial number of states have reported no two-parent families subject to the work two-parent families subject to the work
participation standard. These states are denoted on the table with an participation standard. These states are denoted on the table with an “"NA,NA,”" indicating that the indicating that the
two-parent standard was not applicable to the state in that year. Before the changes made by the two-parent standard was not applicable to the state in that year. Before the changes made by the
DRA were effective, a number of states had their two-parent families in separate state programs DRA were effective, a number of states had their two-parent families in separate state programs
that were not included in the work participation calculation. When DRA brought families that were not included in the work participation calculation. When DRA brought families
receiving assistance in separate state programs into the work participation rate calculations, a receiving assistance in separate state programs into the work participation rate calculations, a
number of states moved these families into solely state-funded programs. These are state-funded number of states moved these families into solely state-funded programs. These are state-funded
programs with expenditures programs with expenditures not countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort requirement, countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort requirement,
and hence are outside of TANFand hence are outside of TANF’'s rules.s rules.
For states with two-parent families in their caseloads, the table reports For states with two-parent families in their caseloads, the table reports “Yes”"Yes" for states that met for states that met
the two-parent standard, and the two-parent standard, and “No”"No" for states that did not meet the two-parent standard. Of the 28 for states that did not meet the two-parent standard. Of the 28
jurisdictions that had two-parent families in their FY2017 TANF work participation calculation, jurisdictions that had two-parent families in their FY2017 TANF work participation calculation,
19 met the standard and 9 did not.19 met the standard and 9 did not.

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Figure 7. Two-Parent TANF Work Participation Standard, Status by State: FY2006-
FY2017
(“Yes”FY2017 ("Yes" indicates a state met the standard; indicates a state met the standard; “No”"No" indicates the state did not meet the standard; and indicates the state did not meet the standard; and “NA”
"NA" means the standard was not applicable to the state in that year [no two-parent families in its caseload].)means the standard was not applicable to the state in that year [no two-parent families in its caseload].)

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
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Appendix A. Supplementary Tables
Services (HHS). Appendix A. Supplementary Tables Table A-1. Trends in the Cash Assistance Caseload: 1961-2017          

TANF Child Recipients

Year

Families (millions)

Recipients (millions)

Adults (millions)

Children (millions)

As a Percentage of All Children

As a Percentage of All Poor Children

1961

0.873

3.363

0.765

2.598

3.7%

14.3%

1962

0.939

3.704

0.860

2.844

4.0

15.7

1963

0.963

3.945

0.988

2.957

4.1

17.4

1964

1.010

4.195

1.050

3.145

4.3

18.6

1965

1.060

4.422

1.101

3.321

4.5

21.5

1966

1.096

4.546

1.112

3.434

4.7

26.5

1967

1.220

5.014

1.243

3.771

5.2

31.2

1968

1.410

5.702

1.429

4.274

5.9

37.8

1969

1.696

6.689

1.716

4.973

6.9

49.7

1970

2.207

8.462

2.250

6.212

8.6

57.7

1971

2.763

10.242

2.808

7.435

10.4

68.5

1972

3.048

10.944

3.039

7.905

11.1

74.9

1973

3.148

10.949

3.046

7.903

11.2

79.9

1974

3.219

10.847

3.041

7.805

11.2

75.0

1975

3.481

11.319

3.248

8.071

11.8

71.2

1976

3.565

11.284

3.302

7.982

11.8

76.2

1977

3.568

11.015

3.273

7.743

11.6

73.9

1978

3.517

10.551

3.188

7.363

11.2

72.8

1979

3.509

10.312

3.130

7.181

11.0

68.0

1980

3.712

10.774

3.355

7.419

11.5

63.2

1981

3.835

11.079

3.552

7.527

11.7

59.2

1982

3.542

10.358

3.455

6.903

10.8

49.6

1983

3.686

10.761

3.663

7.098

11.1

50.1

1984

3.714

10.831

3.687

7.144

11.2

52.3

1985

3.701

10.855

3.658

7.198

11.3

54.4

1986

3.763

11.038

3.704

7.334

11.5

56.0

1987

3.776

11.027

3.661

7.366

11.5

56.4

1988

3.749

10.915

3.586

7.329

11.4

57.8

1989

3.798

10.992

3.573

7.419

11.5

57.9

1990

4.057

11.695

3.784

7.911

12.1

57.9

1991

4.497

12.930

4.216

8.715

13.2

59.8

1992

4.829

13.773

4.470

9.303

13.9

59.9

1993

5.012

14.205

4.631

9.574

14.1

60.0

1994

5.033

14.161

4.593

9.568

13.9

61.7

1995

4.791

13.418

4.284

9.135

13.1

61.5

1996

4.434

12.321

3.928

8.600

12.3

58.7

1997

3.740

10.376

NA

NA

10.0

50.1

1998

3.050

8.347

NA

NA

8.1

42.9

1999

2.578

6.924

NA

NA

6.7

39.4

2000

2.303

6.143

1.655

4.479

6.1

38.1

2001

2.192

5.717

1.514

4.195

5.7

35.3

2002

2.187

5.609

1.479

4.119

5.6

33.6

2003

2.180

5.490

1.416

4.063

5.5

31.3

2004

2.153

5.342

1.362

3.969

5.4

30.2

2005

2.061

5.028

1.261

3.756

5.1

28.9

2006

1.906

4.582

1.120

3.453

4.6

26.7

2007

1.730

4.075

0.956

3.119

4.2

23.2

2008

1.701

4.005

0.946

3.059

4.1

21.6

2009

1.838

4.371

1.074

3.296

4.4

21.2

2010

1.919

4.598

1.163

3.435

4.6

20.9

2011

1.907

4.557

1.149

3.408

4.6

20.9

2012

1.852

4.402

1.104

3.298

4.4

20.3

2013

1.726

4.042

0.993

3.050

4.1

19.1

2014

1.650

3.957

1.007

2.950

4.0

18.9

2015

1.609

4.126

1.155

2.971

4.0

20.4

2016

1.479

3.780

1.037

2.743

3.7

20.7

2017

1.358

3.516

0,930

2

.577

3.5

20.1

Table A-1. Trends in the Cash Assistance Caseload: 1961-2017





TANF Child Recipients
As a
As a
Percentage Percentage
Families
Recipients
Adults
Children
of All
of All Poor
Year
(millions)
(millions)
(millions)
(millions)
Children
Children
1961
0.873
3.363
0.765
2.598
3.7%
14.3%
1962
0.939
3.704
0.860
2.844
4.0
15.7
1963
0.963
3.945
0.988
2.957
4.1
17.4
1964
1.010
4.195
1.050
3.145
4.3
18.6
1965
1.060
4.422
1.101
3.321
4.5
21.5
1966
1.096
4.546
1.112
3.434
4.7
26.5
1967
1.220
5.014
1.243
3.771
5.2
31.2
1968
1.410
5.702
1.429
4.274
5.9
37.8
1969
1.696
6.689
1.716
4.973
6.9
49.7
1970
2.207
8.462
2.250
6.212
8.6
57.7
1971
2.763
10.242
2.808
7.435
10.4
68.5
1972
3.048
10.944
3.039
7.905
11.1
74.9
1973
3.148
10.949
3.046
7.903
11.2
79.9
1974
3.219
10.847
3.041
7.805
11.2
75.0
1975
3.481
11.319
3.248
8.071
11.8
71.2
1976
3.565
11.284
3.302
7.982
11.8
76.2
1977
3.568
11.015
3.273
7.743
11.6
73.9
1978
3.517
10.551
3.188
7.363
11.2
72.8
1979
3.509
10.312
3.130
7.181
11.0
68.0
1980
3.712
10.774
3.355
7.419
11.5
63.2
1981
3.835
11.079
3.552
7.527
11.7
59.2
1982
3.542
10.358
3.455
6.903
10.8
49.6
1983
3.686
10.761
3.663
7.098
11.1
50.1
1984
3.714
10.831
3.687
7.144
11.2
52.3
1985
3.701
10.855
3.658
7.198
11.3
54.4
1986
3.763
11.038
3.704
7.334
11.5
56.0
1987
3.776
11.027
3.661
7.366
11.5
56.4
1988
3.749
10.915
3.586
7.329
11.4
57.8
1989
3.798
10.992
3.573
7.419
11.5
57.9
1990
4.057
11.695
3.784
7.911
12.1
57.9
1991
4.497
12.930
4.216
8.715
13.2
59.8
Congressional Research Service

15

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs






TANF Child Recipients
As a
As a
Percentage Percentage
Families
Recipients
Adults
Children
of All
of All Poor
Year
(millions)
(millions)
(millions)
(millions)
Children
Children
1992
4.829
13.773
4.470
9.303
13.9
59.9
1993
5.012
14.205
4.631
9.574
14.1
60.0
1994
5.033
14.161
4.593
9.568
13.9
61.7
1995
4.791
13.418
4.284
9.135
13.1
61.5
1996
4.434
12.321
3.928
8.600
12.3
58.7
1997
3.740
10.376
NA
NA
10.0
50.1
1998
3.050
8.347
NA
NA
8.1
42.9
1999
2.578
6.924
NA
NA
6.7
39.4
2000
2.303
6.143
1.655
4.479
6.1
38.1
2001
2.192
5.717
1.514
4.195
5.7
35.3
2002
2.187
5.609
1.479
4.119
5.6
33.6
2003
2.180
5.490
1.416
4.063
5.5
31.3
2004
2.153
5.342
1.362
3.969
5.4
30.2
2005
2.061
5.028
1.261
3.756
5.1
28.9
2006
1.906
4.582
1.120
3.453
4.6
26.7
2007
1.730
4.075
0.956
3.119
4.2
23.2
2008
1.701
4.005
0.946
3.059
4.1
21.6
2009
1.838
4.371
1.074
3.296
4.4
21.2
2010
1.919
4.598
1.163
3.435
4.6
20.9
2011
1.907
4.557
1.149
3.408
4.6
20.9
2012
1.852
4.402
1.104
3.298
4.4
20.3
2013
1.726
4.042
0.993
3.050
4.1
19.1
2014
1.650
3.957
1.007
2.950
4.0
18.9
2015
1.609
4.126
1.155
2.971
4.0
20.4
2016
1.479
3.780
1.037
2.743
3.7
20.7
2017
1.358
3.516
0,930
2.577
3.5
20.1
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) and the U.S. Census Bureau.Services (HHS) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Notes: NA denotes not available. During transition reporting from AFDC to TANF, caseload statistics on adult NA denotes not available. During transition reporting from AFDC to TANF, caseload statistics on adult
and child recipients were not and child recipients were not col ectedcollected. For those years, TANF children as a percent of all children and percent . For those years, TANF children as a percent of all children and percent
of all poor children were estimated by HHS and published in of all poor children were estimated by HHS and published in Welfare Indicators and Risk Factors, Annual Report to
Congress, Table TANF 2, p. A-7. See http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/14/indicators/, Table TANF 2, p. A-7. See http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/14/indicators/rpt_indicators.pdf. rpt_indicators.pdf.

Congressional Research Service

16

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Table A-2. Families Receiving AFDC/TANF Assistance by Family Category, Selected
Years, FY1988-FY2017

AFDC
TANF

1988
1994
2001
2006
2017
Number of Families Receiving Assistance
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not Working
3,136,566
3,798,997
992,445
825,490
434,602
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working
243,573
378,620
420,794
259,001
435,259
Child-Only/SSI Parent
59,988
171,391
171,951
176,670
126,483
Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent
47,566
184,397
125,900
153,445
133,173
Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent
51,764
146,227
91,447
158,113
4,370
Child-Only/Caretaker Relative
188,598
328,290
255,984
261,944
198,103
Child-Only/Unknown
19,897
38,341
143,834
122,738
70,882
Totals
3,747,952
5,046,263
2,202,356
1,957,402
1,402,871
Percentage of All Families Receiving Assistance
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not Working
83.7%
75.3%
45.1%
42.2%
31.0%
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working
6.5
7.5
19.1
13.2
31.0
Child-Only/SSI Parent
1.6
3.4
7.8
9.0
9.0
Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent
1.3
3.7
5.7
7.8
9.5
Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent
1.4
2.9
4.2
8.1
0.3
Child-Only/Caretaker Relative
5.0
6.5
11.6
13.4
14.1
Child-Only/Unknown
0.5
0.8
6.5
6.3
5.1
Totals
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Years, FY1988-FY2017  

AFDC

TANF

 

1988

1994

2001

2006

2017

Number of Families Receiving Assistance

Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not Working

3,136,566

3,798,997

992,445

825,490

434,602

Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working

243,573

378,620

420,794

259,001

435,259

Child-Only/SSI Parent

59,988

171,391

171,951

176,670

126,483

Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent

47,566

184,397

125,900

153,445

133,173

Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent

51,764

146,227

91,447

158,113

4,370

Child-Only/Caretaker Relative

188,598

328,290

255,984

261,944

198,103

Child-Only/Unknown

19,897

38,341

143,834

122,738

70,882

Totals

3,747,952

5,046,263

2,202,356

1,957,402

1,402,871

Percentage of All Families Receiving Assistance

Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not Working

83.7%

75.3%

45.1%

42.2%

31.0%

Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working

6.5

7.5

19.1

13.2

31.0

Child-Only/SSI Parent

1.6

3.4

7.8

9.0

9.0

Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent

1.3

3.7

5.7

7.8

9.5

Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent

1.4

2.9

4.2

8.1

0.3

Child-Only/Caretaker Relative

5.0

6.5

11.6

13.4

14.1

Child-Only/Unknown

0.5

0.8

6.5

6.3

5.1

Totals

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) tabulations of the FY1988 and FY1994 AFDC Quality Control Congressional Research Service (CRS) tabulations of the FY1988 and FY1994 AFDC Quality Control
(QC) data files and the FY2001, FY2006, and FY2017 TANF National Data Files.(QC) data files and the FY2001, FY2006, and FY2017 TANF National Data Files.
Notes: FY2001 through FY2017 data include families receiving assistance from separate state programs (SSPs) FY2001 through FY2017 data include families receiving assistance from separate state programs (SSPs)
with expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. For FY2016, TANF with expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. For FY2016, TANF
families with an adult recipient include those families with families with an adult recipient include those families with “"work-eligiblework-eligible”" nonrecipient parents. These include nonrecipient parents. These include
nonrecipient parents who have been time-limited or sanctioned off the nonrecipient parents who have been time-limited or sanctioned off the rol srolls, but the family continues to receive , but the family continues to receive
a reduced benefit. For FY2001 and FY2006, such families cannot be identified and are classified as a reduced benefit. For FY2001 and FY2006, such families cannot be identified and are classified as “"child-only" families. Appendix B. State Tables child-only”
families.

Congressional Research Service

17

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Appendix B. State Tables
Table B-1. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category

(Dollars in millions)

State	Basic Assistance	Administrative Costs	Work, Education, and Training	Child Care	Refundable Tax Credit	Emergency and Short-Term Benefits	Child Welfare	Pre-K/Head Start	Other	Totals
Alabama	$22.318	$26.710	$5.349	$5.679	$0.000	$36.833	$32.240	$41.648	$40.208	$210.984
Alaska	58.114	6.024	8.397	8.879	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	4.985	86.399
Arizona	37.732	43.656	1.443	0.000	0.000	10.369	147.105	0.000	119.624	359.929
Arkansas	5.948	18.829	13.920	8.032	0.000	5.368	0.231	105.196	4.811	162.335
California	2539.250	573.786	1620.135	615.700	0.000	237.887	0.000	0.000	1010.169	6596.928
Colorado	89.927	23.474	10.687	11.929	77.489	31.389	46.532	74.851	43.716	409.995
Connecticut	52.352	46.885	12.037	41.764	0.000	18.646	61.273	83.561	171.132	487.651
Delaware	17.421	4.736	7.063	67.490	0.000	2.724	0.000	0.000	15.160	114.595
District of Columbia	121.650	8.398	37.991	59.532	28.928	51.110	0.000	0.000	9.299	316.909
Florida	163.180	83.371	46.314	318.206	0.000	0.934	242.113	0.000	80.542	934.661
Georgia	86.540	20.570	11.265	22.183	0.000	0.085	257.554	0.000	90.828	489.024
Hawaii	39.957	16.540	52.170	4.972	0.000	0.425	1.294	0.000	84.876	200.233
Idaho	7.871	7.519	2.549	15.025	0.000	11.750	1.327	1.475	1.713	49.229
Illinois	43.419	0.184	18.685	596.459	47.254	0.916	221.080	58.586	79.217	1065.801
Indiana	16.714	23.452	182.300	112.404	28.904	0.546	15.520	0.000	131.405	511.244
Iowa	37.166	8.206	11.799	58.254	26.505	0.253	62.264	0.000	22.299	226.746
Kansas	13.920	14.568	1.594	6.673	48.347	0.071	22.980	14.437	50.495	173.086
Kentucky	170.762	14.601	29.380	38.815	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	15.474	269.032
Louisiana	19.191	18.079	26.153	10.214	14.671	9.471	33.144	45.991	35.029	211.945
Maine	25.693	3.138	0.310	14.888	7.561	4.162	7.683	0.415	28.130	91.980
Maryland	115.787	31.019	31.450	8.397	152.582	26.370	20.035	55.962	55.808	497.410
Massachusetts	207.063	36.557	174.674	327.404	174.125	103.873	8.311	0.000	66.263	1,098.270
Michigan	133.132	53.908	5.417	26.586	45.440	66.929	81.665	186.193	649.995	1,249.266
Minnesota	98.144	46.341	57.751	173.904	160.076	27.478	0.000	5.700	19.524	588.918
Mississippi	8.585	4.572	33.655	27.660	0.000	0.000	12.859	0.000	43.971	131.302
Missouri	42.341	7.317	19.813	64.380	0.000	59.191	102.816	0.000	60.586	356.444
Montana	26.080	7.451	6.282	10.495	0.000	2.195	3.187	0.000	9.708	65.397
Nebraska	26.603	5.383	14.079	23.489	35.062	0.000	2.836	0.000	0.290	107.742
Nevada	39.108	9.559	1.362	17.887	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	34.465	102.382
New Hampshire	18.987	11.041	5.403	15.118	0.000	2.213	3.662	0.000	17.081	73.505
New Jersey	99.529	52.403	77.142	159.671	354.819	16.630	0.000	560.009	58.912	1,379.114
New Mexico	55.422	5.073	18.259	30.528	74.623	0.000	0.895	17.600	84.412	286.811
New York	1,455.625	389.219	147.068	355.940	1,410.980	219.797	290.559	467.685	361.475	5,098.348
North Carolina	41.570	43.356	4.785	194.900	0.000	5.077	125.782	115.709	44.926	576.104
North Dakota	4.070	4.422	4.070	1.102	0.000	0.019	17.270	0.000	1.274	32.226
Ohio	246.989	117.873	87.008	424.009	0.000	53.852	11.099	0.000	191.421	1,132.250
Oklahoma	42.603	11.274	10.776	48.668	0.000	3.536	15.999	12.079	29.282	174.217
Oregon	89.263	39.235	16.558	12.911	1.467	32.130	12.811	12.001	87.605	303.981
Pennsylvania	186.912	79.850	98.385	488.909	0.000	15.459	0.000	154.677	169.790	1,193.982
Rhode Island	24.435	5.434	10.869	41.679	19.129	26.237	27.334	0.800	10.171	166.088
South Carolina	38.231	24.983	14.782	4.085	0.000	0.000	0.000	26.794	54.010	162.886
South Dakota	13.813	2.581	3.866	0.803	0.000	3.174	1.958	0.000	3.057	29.254
Tennessee	62.597	22.152	9.618	18.976	0.000	0.000	0.000	61.668	1.377	176.387
Texas	50.837	77.601	82.284	0.000	0.000	32.166	284.108	342.674	59.966	929.636
Utah	25.289	8.863	26.555	21.438	0.000	4.419	3.676	5.501	33.702	129.443
Vermont	15.230	6.631	2.696	30.996	19.013	1.360	5.508	0.000	15.842	97.276
Virginia	68.485	31.387	38.944	32.558	0.371	5.269	0.000	0.000	84.885	261.900
Washington	143.608	88.021	145.004	222.086	0.000	56.731	0.000	61.125	315.382	1,031.957
West Virginia	26.753	15.010	0.461	15.321	0.000	19.584	35.656	0.000	26.644	139.428
Wisconsin	85.911	24.187	27.486	208.262	69.700	38.553	4.484	0.000	122.860	581.443
Wyoming	6.706	6.481	3.508	1.554	0.000	3.399	0.000	1.016	4.952	27.615
Totals	7,068.836	2,231.910	3,279.551	5,026.817	2,797.046	1,248.578	2,224.848	2,513.354	4,758.747	31,149.686

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Table B-2. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category as a Percentage of Total Federal TANF and State MOE Funding State

Basic Assistance

Administrative Costs

Work, Education, and Training

Child Care

Refundable Tax Credit

Emergency and Short-Term Benefits

Child Welfare

Pre-K/Head Start

Other

Totals

Alabama

10.6%

12.7%

2.5%

2.7%

0.0%

17.5%

15.3%

19.7%

19.1%

100.0%

Alaska

67.3

7.0

9.7

10.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

5.8

100.0

Arizona

10.5

12.1

0.4

0.0

0.0

2.9

40.9

0.0

33.2

100.0

Arkansas

3.7

11.6

8.6

4.9

0.0

3.3

0.1

64.8

3.0

100.0

California

38.5

8.7

24.6

9.3

0.0

3.6

0.0

0.0

15.3

100.0

Colorado

21.9

5.7

2.6

2.9

18.9

7.7

11.3

18.3

10.7

100.0

Connecticut

10.7

9.6

2.5

8.6

0.0

3.8

12.6

17.1

35.1

100.0

Delaware

15.2

4.1

6.2

58.9

0.0

2.4

0.0

0.0

13.2

100.0

District of Columbia

38.4

2.6

12.0

18.8

9.1

16.1

0.0

0.0

2.9

100.0

Florida

17.5

8.9

5.0

34.0

0.0

0.1

25.9

0.0

8.6

100.0

Georgia

17.7

4.2

2.3

4.5

0.0

0.0

52.7

0.0

18.6

100.0

Hawaii

20.0

8.3

26.1

2.5

0.0

0.2

0.6

0.0

42.4

100.0

Idaho

16.0

15.3

5.2

30.5

0.0

23.9

2.7

3.0

3.5

100.0

Illinois

4.1

0.0

1.8

56.0

4.4

0.1

20.7

5.5

7.4

100.0

Indiana

3.3

4.6

35.7

22.0

5.7

0.1

3.0

0.0

25.7

100.0

Iowa

16.4

3.6

5.2

25.7

11.7

0.1

27.5

0.0

9.8

100.0

Kansas

8.0

8.4

0.9

3.9

27.9

0.0

13.3

8.3

29.2

100.0

Kentucky

63.5

5.4

10.9

14.4

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

5.8

100.0

Louisiana

9.1

8.5

12.3

4.8

6.9

4.5

15.6

21.7

16.5

100.0

Maine

27.9

3.4

0.3

16.2

8.2

4.5

8.4

0.5

30.6

100.0

Maryland

23.3

6.2

6.3

1.7

30.7

5.3

4.0

11.3

11.2

100.0

Massachusetts

18.9

3.3

15.9

29.8

15.9

9.5

0.8

0.0

6.0

100.0

Michigan

10.7

4.3

0.4

2.1

3.6

5.4

6.5

14.9

52.0

100.0

Minnesota

16.7

7.9

9.8

29.5

27.2

4.7

0.0

1.0

3.3

100.0

Mississippi

6.5

3.5

25.6

21.1

0.0

0.0

9.8

0.0

33.5

100.0

Missouri

11.9

2.1

5.6

18.1

0.0

16.6

28.8

0.0

17.0

100.0

Montana

39.9

11.4

9.6

16.0

0.0

3.4

4.9

0.0

14.8

100.0

Nebraska

24.7

5.0

13.1

21.8

32.5

0.0

2.6

0.0

0.3

100.0

Nevada

38.2

9.3

1.3

17.5

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

33.7

100.0

New Hampshire

25.8

15.0

7.4

20.6

0.0

3.0

5.0

0.0

23.2

100.0

New Jersey

7.2

3.8

5.6

11.6

25.7

1.2

0.0

40.6

4.3

100.0

New Mexico

19.3

1.8

6.4

10.6

26.0

0.0

0.3

6.1

29.4

100.0

New York

28.6

7.6

2.9

7.0

27.7

4.3

5.7

9.2

7.1

100.0

North Carolina

7.2

7.5

0.8

33.8

0.0

0.9

21.8

20.1

7.8

100.0

North Dakota

12.6

13.7

12.6

3.4

0.0

0.1

53.6

0.0

4.0

100.0

Ohio

21.8

10.4

7.7

37.4

0.0

4.8

1.0

0.0

16.9

100.0

Oklahoma

24.5

6.5

6.2

27.9

0.0

2.0

9.2

6.9

16.8

100.0

Oregon

29.4

12.9

5.4

4.2

0.5

10.6

4.2

3.9

28.8

100.0

Pennsylvania

15.7

6.7

8.2

40.9

0.0

1.3

0.0

13.0

14.2

100.0

Rhode Island

14.7

3.3

6.5

25.1

11.5

15.8

16.5

0.5

6.1

100.0

South Carolina

23.5

15.3

9.1

2.5

0.0

0.0

0.0

16.4

33.2

100.0

South Dakota

47.2

8.8

13.2

2.7

0.0

10.9

6.7

0.0

10.5

100.0

Tennessee

35.5

12.6

5.5

10.8

0.0

0.0

0.0

35.0

0.8

100.0

Texas

5.5

8.3

8.9

0.0

0.0

3.5

30.6

36.9

6.5

100.0

Utah

19.5

6.8

20.5

16.6

0.0

3.4

2.8

4.3

26.0

100.0

Vermont

15.7

6.8

2.8

31.9

19.5

1.4

5.7

0.0

16.3

100.0

Virginia

26.1

12.0

14.9

12.4

0.1

2.0

0.0

0.0

32.4

100.0

Washington

13.9

8.5

14.1

21.5

0.0

5.5

0.0

5.9

30.6

100.0

West Virginia

19.2

10.8

0.3

11.0

0.0

14.0

25.6

0.0

19.1

100.0

Wisconsin

14.8

4.2

4.7

35.8

12.0

6.6

0.8

0.0

21.1

100.0

Wyoming

24.3

23.5

12.7

5.6

0.0

12.3

0.0

3.7

17.9

100.0

Totals

22.7

7.2

10.5

16.1

9.0

4.0

7.1

8.1

15.3

100.0

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding.

Table B-3. Unspent TANF Funds at the End of FY2017

(September 30, 2017, in millions of dollars)

State	Obligated but Not Spent	Unobligated Balances
Alabama	$19.0	$55.2
Alaska	48.1	0.0
Arizona	0.0	30.7
Arkansas	32.7	31.0
California	307.2	0.0
Colorado	0.0	96.4
Connecticut	0.0	0.8
Delaware	0.6	7.8
District of Columbia	0.2	32.8
Florida	17.1	0.0
Georgia	23.8	40.9
Hawaii	15.6	225.8
Idaho	0.0	20.0
Illinois	0.0	0.0
Indiana	46.3	109.5
Iowa	3.8	0.5
Kansas	0.4	67.9
Kentucky	0.0	66.5
Louisiana	7.9	0.0
Maine	5.6	141.1
Maryland	0.0	0.0
Massachusetts	0.0	0.0
Michigan	0.0	116.8
Minnesota	0.0	59.3
Mississippi	0.0	23.6
Missouri	0.0	0.3
Montana	10.3	13.1
Nebraska	0.0	64.2
Nevada	23.7	0.0
New Hampshire	0.0	57.5
New Jersey	22.7	35.0
New Mexico	52.9	38.3
New York	121.4	519.5
North Carolina	41.7	0.0
North Dakota	0.0	9.7
Ohio	462.7	29.4
Oklahoma	76.3	0.0
Oregon	0.0	50.3
Pennsylvania	63.3	427.0
Rhode Island	0.0	11.1
South Carolina	0.0	0.0
South Dakota	0.0	22.5
Tennessee	0.0	517.8
Texas	190.0	1.3
Utah	0.0	79.2
Vermont	0.0	0.0
Virginia	8.0	122.0
Washington	0.0	65.1
West Virginia	0.0	57.4
Wisconsin	167.1	33.2
Wyoming	2.6	22.8
Total	1,771.0	3,303.1

(Dollars in millions)
Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Child Care Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
Alabama
$22.318
$26.710
$5.349
$5.679
$0.000
$36.833
$32.240
$41.648
$40.208
$210.984
Alaska
58.114
6.024
8.397
8.879
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
4.985
86.399
Arizona
37.732
43.656
1.443
0.000
0.000
10.369
147.105
0.000
119.624
359.929
Arkansas
5.948
18.829
13.920
8.032
0.000
5.368
0.231
105.196
4.811
162.335
California
2539.250
573.786
1620.135
615.700
0.000
237.887
0.000
0.000
1010.169
6596.928
Colorado
89.927
23.474
10.687
11.929
77.489
31.389
46.532
74.851
43.716
409.995
Connecticut
52.352
46.885
12.037
41.764
0.000
18.646
61.273
83.561
171.132
487.651
Delaware
17.421
4.736
7.063
67.490
0.000
2.724
0.000
0.000
15.160
114.595
District of
121.650
8.398
37.991
59.532
28.928
51.110
0.000
0.000
9.299
316.909
Columbia
Florida
163.180
83.371
46.314
318.206
0.000
0.934
242.113
0.000
80.542
934.661
Georgia
86.540
20.570
11.265
22.183
0.000
0.085
257.554
0.000
90.828
489.024
Hawaii
39.957
16.540
52.170
4.972
0.000
0.425
1.294
0.000
84.876
200.233
Idaho
7.871
7.519
2.549
15.025
0.000
11.750
1.327
1.475
1.713
49.229
Il inois
43.419
0.184
18.685
596.459
47.254
0.916
221.080
58.586
79.217
1065.801
Indiana
16.714
23.452
182.300
112.404
28.904
0.546
15.520
0.000
131.405
511.244
Iowa
37.166
8.206
11.799
58.254
26.505
0.253
62.264
0.000
22.299
226.746
Kansas
13.920
14.568
1.594
6.673
48.347
0.071
22.980
14.437
50.495
173.086
Kentucky
170.762
14.601
29.380
38.815
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
15.474
269.032
CRS-18

---

Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Child Care Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
Louisiana
19.191
18.079
26.153
10.214
14.671
9.471
33.144
45.991
35.029
211.945
Maine
25.693
3.138
0.310
14.888
7.561
4.162
7.683
0.415
28.130
91.980
Maryland
115.787
31.019
31.450
8.397
152.582
26.370
20.035
55.962
55.808
497.410
Massachusetts
207.063
36.557
174.674
327.404
174.125
103.873
8.311
0.000
66.263
1,098.270
Michigan
133.132
53.908
5.417
26.586
45.440
66.929
81.665
186.193
649.995
1,249.266
Minnesota
98.144
46.341
57.751
173.904
160.076
27.478
0.000
5.700
19.524
588.918
Mississippi
8.585
4.572
33.655
27.660
0.000
0.000
12.859
0.000
43.971
131.302
Missouri
42.341
7.317
19.813
64.380
0.000
59.191
102.816
0.000
60.586
356.444
Montana
26.080
7.451
6.282
10.495
0.000
2.195
3.187
0.000
9.708
65.397
Nebraska
26.603
5.383
14.079
23.489
35.062
0.000
2.836
0.000
0.290
107.742
Nevada
39.108
9.559
1.362
17.887
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
34.465
102.382
New
18.987
11.041
5.403
15.118
0.000
2.213
3.662
0.000
17.081
73.505
Hampshire
New Jersey
99.529
52.403
77.142
159.671
354.819
16.630
0.000
560.009
58.912
1,379.114
New Mexico
55.422
5.073
18.259
30.528
74.623
0.000
0.895
17.600
84.412
286.811
New York
1,455.625
389.219
147.068
355.940
1,410.980
219.797
290.559
467.685
361.475
5,098.348
North Carolina
41.570
43.356
4.785
194.900
0.000
5.077
125.782
115.709
44.926
576.104
North Dakota
4.070
4.422
4.070
1.102
0.000
0.019
17.270
0.000
1.274
32.226
Ohio
246.989
117.873
87.008
424.009
0.000
53.852
11.099
0.000
191.421
1,132.250
Oklahoma
42.603
11.274
10.776
48.668
0.000
3.536
15.999
12.079
29.282
174.217
Oregon
89.263
39.235
16.558
12.911
1.467
32.130
12.811
12.001
87.605
303.981
Pennsylvania
186.912
79.850
98.385
488.909
0.000
15.459
0.000
154.677
169.790
1,193.982
Rhode Island
24.435
5.434
10.869
41.679
19.129
26.237
27.334
0.800
10.171
166.088
CRS-19

---

Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Child Care Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
South Carolina
38.231
24.983
14.782
4.085
0.000
0.000
0.000
26.794
54.010
162.886
South Dakota
13.813
2.581
3.866
0.803
0.000
3.174
1.958
0.000
3.057
29.254
Tennessee
62.597
22.152
9.618
18.976
0.000
0.000
0.000
61.668
1.377
176.387
Texas
50.837
77.601
82.284
0.000
0.000
32.166
284.108
342.674
59.966
929.636
Utah
25.289
8.863
26.555
21.438
0.000
4.419
3.676
5.501
33.702
129.443
Vermont
15.230
6.631
2.696
30.996
19.013
1.360
5.508
0.000
15.842
97.276
Virginia
68.485
31.387
38.944
32.558
0.371
5.269
0.000
0.000
84.885
261.900
Washington
143.608
88.021
145.004
222.086
0.000
56.731
0.000
61.125
315.382
1,031.957
West Virginia
26.753
15.010
0.461
15.321
0.000
19.584
35.656
0.000
26.644
139.428
Wisconsin
85.911
24.187
27.486
208.262
69.700
38.553
4.484
0.000
122.860
581.443
Wyoming
6.706
6.481
3.508
1.554
0.000
3.399
0.000
1.016
4.952
27.615
Totals
7,068.836
2,231.910
3,279.551
5,026.817
2,797.046
1,248.578
2,224.848
2,513.354
4,758.747
31,149.686
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
CRS-20

---

Table B-2. Use of FY2017 TANF and MOE Funds by Category as a Percentage of Total Federal TANF and State MOE Funding
Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Child
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Care
Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
Alabama
10.6%
12.7%
2.5%
2.7%
0.0%
17.5%
15.3%
19.7%
19.1%
100.0%
Alaska
67.3
7.0
9.7
10.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.8
100.0
Arizona
10.5
12.1
0.4
0.0
0.0
2.9
40.9
0.0
33.2
100.0
Arkansas
3.7
11.6
8.6
4.9
0.0
3.3
0.1
64.8
3.0
100.0
California
38.5
8.7
24.6
9.3
0.0
3.6
0.0
0.0
15.3
100.0
Colorado
21.9
5.7
2.6
2.9
18.9
7.7
11.3
18.3
10.7
100.0
Connecticut
10.7
9.6
2.5
8.6
0.0
3.8
12.6
17.1
35.1
100.0
Delaware
15.2
4.1
6.2
58.9
0.0
2.4
0.0
0.0
13.2
100.0
District of
38.4
2.6
12.0
18.8
9.1
16.1
0.0
0.0
2.9
100.0
Columbia
Florida
17.5
8.9
5.0
34.0
0.0
0.1
25.9
0.0
8.6
100.0
Georgia
17.7
4.2
2.3
4.5
0.0
0.0
52.7
0.0
18.6
100.0
Hawaii
20.0
8.3
26.1
2.5
0.0
0.2
0.6
0.0
42.4
100.0
Idaho
16.0
15.3
5.2
30.5
0.0
23.9
2.7
3.0
3.5
100.0
Il inois
4.1
0.0
1.8
56.0
4.4
0.1
20.7
5.5
7.4
100.0
Indiana
3.3
4.6
35.7
22.0
5.7
0.1
3.0
0.0
25.7
100.0
Iowa
16.4
3.6
5.2
25.7
11.7
0.1
27.5
0.0
9.8
100.0
Kansas
8.0
8.4
0.9
3.9
27.9
0.0
13.3
8.3
29.2
100.0
Kentucky
63.5
5.4
10.9
14.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.8
100.0
Louisiana
9.1
8.5
12.3
4.8
6.9
4.5
15.6
21.7
16.5
100.0
Maine
27.9
3.4
0.3
16.2
8.2
4.5
8.4
0.5
30.6
100.0
Maryland
23.3
6.2
6.3
1.7
30.7
5.3
4.0
11.3
11.2
100.0
CRS-21

---

Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Child
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Care
Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
Massachusetts
18.9
3.3
15.9
29.8
15.9
9.5
0.8
0.0
6.0
100.0
Michigan
10.7
4.3
0.4
2.1
3.6
5.4
6.5
14.9
52.0
100.0
Minnesota
16.7
7.9
9.8
29.5
27.2
4.7
0.0
1.0
3.3
100.0
Mississippi
6.5
3.5
25.6
21.1
0.0
0.0
9.8
0.0
33.5
100.0
Missouri
11.9
2.1
5.6
18.1
0.0
16.6
28.8
0.0
17.0
100.0
Montana
39.9
11.4
9.6
16.0
0.0
3.4
4.9
0.0
14.8
100.0
Nebraska
24.7
5.0
13.1
21.8
32.5
0.0
2.6
0.0
0.3
100.0
Nevada
38.2
9.3
1.3
17.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
33.7
100.0
New Hampshire
25.8
15.0
7.4
20.6
0.0
3.0
5.0
0.0
23.2
100.0
New Jersey
7.2
3.8
5.6
11.6
25.7
1.2
0.0
40.6
4.3
100.0
New Mexico
19.3
1.8
6.4
10.6
26.0
0.0
0.3
6.1
29.4
100.0
New York
28.6
7.6
2.9
7.0
27.7
4.3
5.7
9.2
7.1
100.0
North Carolina
7.2
7.5
0.8
33.8
0.0
0.9
21.8
20.1
7.8
100.0
North Dakota
12.6
13.7
12.6
3.4
0.0
0.1
53.6
0.0
4.0
100.0
Ohio
21.8
10.4
7.7
37.4
0.0
4.8
1.0
0.0
16.9
100.0
Oklahoma
24.5
6.5
6.2
27.9
0.0
2.0
9.2
6.9
16.8
100.0
Oregon
29.4
12.9
5.4
4.2
0.5
10.6
4.2
3.9
28.8
100.0
Pennsylvania
15.7
6.7
8.2
40.9
0.0
1.3
0.0
13.0
14.2
100.0
Rhode Island
14.7
3.3
6.5
25.1
11.5
15.8
16.5
0.5
6.1
100.0
South Carolina
23.5
15.3
9.1
2.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.4
33.2
100.0
South Dakota
47.2
8.8
13.2
2.7
0.0
10.9
6.7
0.0
10.5
100.0
Tennessee
35.5
12.6
5.5
10.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
35.0
0.8
100.0
Texas
5.5
8.3
8.9
0.0
0.0
3.5
30.6
36.9
6.5
100.0
CRS-22

---

Work,
Education,
Emergency and
Pre-
Basic
Administrative
and
Child
Refundable
Short-Term
Child
K/Head
State
Assistance
Costs
Training
Care
Tax Credit
Benefits
Welfare
Start
Other
Totals
Utah
19.5
6.8
20.5
16.6
0.0
3.4
2.8
4.3
26.0
100.0
Vermont
15.7
6.8
2.8
31.9
19.5
1.4
5.7
0.0
16.3
100.0
Virginia
26.1
12.0
14.9
12.4
0.1
2.0
0.0
0.0
32.4
100.0
Washington
13.9
8.5
14.1
21.5
0.0
5.5
0.0
5.9
30.6
100.0
West Virginia
19.2
10.8
0.3
11.0
0.0
14.0
25.6
0.0
19.1
100.0
Wisconsin
14.8
4.2
4.7
35.8
12.0
6.6
0.8
0.0
21.1
100.0
Wyoming
24.3
23.5
12.7
5.6
0.0
12.3
0.0
3.7
17.9
100.0
Totals
22.7
7.2
10.5
16.1
9.0
4.0
7.1
8.1
15.3
100.0
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Notes: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding.

CRS-23

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Table B-3. Unspent TANF Funds at the End of FY2017
(September 30, 2017, in millions of dollars)
Obligated
but Not
Unobligated
State
Spent
Balances
Alabama
$19.0
$55.2
Alaska
48.1
0.0
Arizona
0.0
30.7
Arkansas
32.7
31.0
California
307.2
0.0
Colorado
0.0
96.4
Connecticut
0.0
0.8
Delaware
0.6
7.8
District of
0.2
32.8
Columbia
Florida
17.1
0.0
Georgia
23.8
40.9
Hawaii
15.6
225.8
Idaho
0.0
20.0
Il inois
0.0
0.0
Indiana
46.3
109.5
Iowa
3.8
0.5
Kansas
0.4
67.9
Kentucky
0.0
66.5
Louisiana
7.9
0.0
Maine
5.6
141.1
Maryland
0.0
0.0
Massachusetts
0.0
0.0
Michigan
0.0
116.8
Minnesota
0.0
59.3
Mississippi
0.0
23.6
Missouri
0.0
0.3
Montana
10.3
13.1
Nebraska
0.0
64.2
Nevada
23.7
0.0
New
0.0
57.5
Hampshire
New Jersey
22.7
35.0
New Mexico
52.9
38.3
Congressional Research Service

24

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Obligated
but Not
Unobligated
State
Spent
Balances
New York
121.4
519.5
North
41.7
0.0
Carolina
North
0.0
9.7
Dakota
Ohio
462.7
29.4
Oklahoma
76.3
0.0
Oregon
0.0
50.3
Pennsylvania
63.3
427.0
Rhode Island
0.0
11.1
South
0.0
0.0
Carolina
South Dakota
0.0
22.5
Tennessee
0.0
517.8
Texas
190.0
1.3
Utah
0.0
79.2
Vermont
0.0
0.0
Virginia
8.0
122.0
Washington
0.0
65.1
West Virginia
0.0
57.4
Wisconsin
167.1
33.2
Wyoming
2.6
22.8
Total
1,771.0
3,303.1
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).

Table B-4. Number of Families, Recipients, Children, and Adults Receiving TANF
Assistance by State, September 2018
State
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
Alabama
8,182
18,425
15,032
3,393
Alaska
2,571
6,815
4,732
2,083
Arizona
7,372
15,106
12,084
3,022
Arkansas
2,859
6,357
4,767
1,590
California
409,043
1,331,457
940,730
390,727
Colorado
12,502
32,692
22,727
9,965
Congressional Research Service

25

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

State
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
Connecticut
8,964
18,713
13,545
5,168
Delaware
3,761
10,450
6,272
4,178
District of Columbia
5,840
16,632
12,546
4,086
Florida
41,469
65,627
56,117
9,510
Georgia
10,484
20,246
18,353
1,893
Guam
491
1,083
929
154
Hawaii
4,274
11,653
8,294
3,359
Idaho
2,046
2,996
2,912
84
Il inois
11,048
21,810
19,689
2,121
Indiana
6,048
12,053
10,982
1,071
Iowa
9,650
23,295
17,746
5,549
Kansas
4,360
4,359
2,619
1,740
Kentucky
18,774
37,748
32,695
5,053
Louisiana
5,402
13,292
11,007
2,285
Maine
17,367
57,543
35,301
22,242
Maryland
17,352
42,996
32,025
10,971
Massachusetts
50,270
124,630
85,801
38,829
Michigan
12,338
30,453
24,978
5,475
Minnesota
16,973
40,370
31,246
9,124
Mississippi
4,040
7,907
6,399
1,508
Missouri
10,761
24,687
19,063
5,624
Montana
3,691
9,156
7,010
2,146
Nebraska
4,832
11,945
9,954
1,991
Nevada
9,023
22,836
17,191
5,645
New Hampshire
5,257
12,575
9,081
3,494
New Jersey
10,326
23,089
18,000
5,089
New Mexico
10,632
26,529
20,122
6,407
New York
122,363
313,143
221,544
91,599
North Carolina
14,574
25,263
22,791
2,472
North Dakota
984
2,453
2,072
381
Ohio
42,549
75,664
69,415
6,249
Oklahoma
6,176
13,696
11,958
1,738
Oregon
40,932
120,311
77,812
42,499
Pennsylvania
45,022
111,572
83,045
28,527
Puerto Rico
4,992
13,559
8,411
5,148
Rhode Island
4,197
9,954
7,274
2,680
South Carolina
8,314
18,326
15,449
2,877
Congressional Research Service

26

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

State
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
South Dakota
2,952
5,944
5,489
455
Tennessee
20,951
45,131
36,178
8,953
Texas
26,109
56,501
49,307
7,194
Utah
3,546
8,438
6,290
2,148
Vermont
2,918
6,599
4,703
1,896
Virgin Islands
160
496
334
162
Virginia
20,513
35,157
27,510
7,647
Washington
37,270
88,286
60,717
27,569
West Virginia
6,572
12,845
10,768
2,077
Wisconsin
15,740
34,089
28,275
5,814
Wyoming
499
1,142
882
260
Totals
1,175,335
3,104,094
2,280,173
823,921
Assistance by State, September 2018

State	Families	Recipients	Children	Adults
Alabama	8,182	18,425	15,032	3,393
Alaska	2,571	6,815	4,732	2,083
Arizona	7,372	15,106	12,084	3,022
Arkansas	2,859	6,357	4,767	1,590
California	409,043	1,331,457	940,730	390,727
Colorado	12,502	32,692	22,727	9,965
Connecticut	8,964	18,713	13,545	5,168
Delaware	3,761	10,450	6,272	4,178
District of Columbia	5,840	16,632	12,546	4,086
Florida	41,469	65,627	56,117	9,510
Georgia	10,484	20,246	18,353	1,893
Guam	491	1,083	929	154
Hawaii	4,274	11,653	8,294	3,359
Idaho	2,046	2,996	2,912	84
Illinois	11,048	21,810	19,689	2,121
Indiana	6,048	12,053	10,982	1,071
Iowa	9,650	23,295	17,746	5,549
Kansas	4,360	4,359	2,619	1,740
Kentucky	18,774	37,748	32,695	5,053
Louisiana	5,402	13,292	11,007	2,285
Maine	17,367	57,543	35,301	22,242
Maryland	17,352	42,996	32,025	10,971
Massachusetts	50,270	124,630	85,801	38,829
Michigan	12,338	30,453	24,978	5,475
Minnesota	16,973	40,370	31,246	9,124
Mississippi	4,040	7,907	6,399	1,508
Missouri	10,761	24,687	19,063	5,624
Montana	3,691	9,156	7,010	2,146
Nebraska	4,832	11,945	9,954	1,991
Nevada	9,023	22,836	17,191	5,645
New Hampshire	5,257	12,575	9,081	3,494
New Jersey	10,326	23,089	18,000	5,089
New Mexico	10,632	26,529	20,122	6,407
New York	122,363	313,143	221,544	91,599
North Carolina	14,574	25,263	22,791	2,472
North Dakota	984	2,453	2,072	381
Ohio	42,549	75,664	69,415	6,249
Oklahoma	6,176	13,696	11,958	1,738
Oregon	40,932	120,311	77,812	42,499
Pennsylvania	45,022	111,572	83,045	28,527
Puerto Rico	4,992	13,559	8,411	5,148
Rhode Island	4,197	9,954	7,274	2,680
South Carolina	8,314	18,326	15,449	2,877
South Dakota	2,952	5,944	5,489	455
Tennessee	20,951	45,131	36,178	8,953
Texas	26,109	56,501	49,307	7,194
Utah	3,546	8,438	6,290	2,148
Vermont	2,918	6,599	4,703	1,896
Virgin Islands	160	496	334	162
Virginia	20,513	35,157	27,510	7,647
Washington	37,270	88,286	60,717	27,569
West Virginia	6,572	12,845	10,768	2,077
Wisconsin	15,740	34,089	28,275	5,814
Wyoming	499	1,142	882	260
Totals	1,175,335	3,104,094	2,280,173	823,921

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

Table B-5. Number of Needy Families with Children Receiving Assistance by  State,
September of Selected Years

Percentage Change to 2018 from
State
1994
2010
2017
2018
1994
2010
2017
Alabama
48,752
23,052
9,326
8,182
-83.2
-64.5
-12.3
Alaska
12,450
3,507
3,093
2,571
-79.3
-26.7
-16.9
Arizona
72,728
18,774
8,222
7,372
-89.9
-60.7
-10.3
Arkansas
25,298
8,469
3,072
2,859
-88.7
-66.2
-6.9
California
916,795
590,121
511,311
409,043
-55.4
-30.7
-20.0
Colorado
40,544
11,707
16,646
12,502
-69.2
6.8
-24.9
Connecticut
60,336
16,848
9,798
8,964
-85.1
-46.8
-8.5
Delaware
11,408
5,508
3,873
3,761
-67.0
-31.7
-2.9
District of Columbia
27,320
8,547
3,124
5,840
-78.6
-31.7
86.9
Florida
239,702
57,742
45,027
41,469
-82.7
-28.2
-7.9
Georgia
141,596
20,133
10,399
10,484
-92.6
-47.9
0.8
Guam
2,089
1,276
541
491
-76.5
-61.5
-9.2
Hawaii
21,312
9,953
4,937
4,274
-79.9
-57.1
-13.4
Idaho
8,635
1,820
1,928
2,046
-76.3
12.4
6.1
Il inois
241,290
24,337
12,613
11,048
-95.4
-54.6
-12.4
Indiana
72,654
36,062
6,962
6,048
-91.7
-83.2
-13.1
Congressional Research Service

27

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs


Percentage Change to 2018 from
State
1994
2010
2017
2018
1994
2010
2017
Iowa
39,137
21,548
10,694
9,650
-75.3
-55.2
-9.8
Kansas
29,524
15,554
4,462
4,360
-85.2
-72.0
-2.3
Kentucky
78,720
30,875
20,785
18,774
-76.2
-39.2
-9.7
Louisiana
84,162
10,849
5,521
5,402
-93.6
-50.2
-2.2
Maine
22,322
15,377
18,452
17,367
-22.2
12.9
-5.9
Maryland
80,266
25,110
18,611
17,352
-78.4
-30.9
-6.8
Massachusetts
108,985
49,836
51,196
50,270
-53.9
0.9
-1.8
Michigan
215,873
67,241
13,846
12,338
-94.3
-81.7
-10.9
Minnesota
59,987
24,574
18,519
16,973
-71.7
-30.9
-8.3
Mississippi
55,232
11,895
4,891
4,040
-92.7
-66.0
-17.4
Missouri
91,875
39,262
12,452
10,761
-88.3
-72.6
-13.6
Montana
11,416
3,686
4,517
3,691
-67.7
0.1
-18.3
Nebraska
15,435
8,702
5,262
4,832
-68.7
-44.5
-8.2
Nevada
14,620
10,612
9,828
9,023
-38.3
-15.0
-8.2
New Hampshire
11,398
6,175
4,884
5,257
-53.9
-14.9
7.6
New Jersey
122,376
34,516
12,640
10,326
-91.6
-70.1
-18.3
New Mexico
34,535
21,223
11,066
10,632
-69.2
-49.9
-3.9
New York
461,751
154,936
132,675
122,363
-73.5
-21.0
-7.8
North Carolina
129,258
23,705
16,108
14,574
-88.7
-38.5
-9.5
North Dakota
5,410
1,996
1,105
984
-81.8
-50.7
-11.0
Ohio
244,099
105,140
54,161
42,549
-82.6
-59.5
-21.4
Oklahoma
46,572
9,388
6,797
6,176
-86.7
-34.2
-9.1
Oregon
40,504
31,751
43,754
40,932
1.1
28.9
-6.4
Pennsylvania
212,457
53,274
50,615
45,022
-78.8
-15.5
-11.1
Puerto Rico
57,337
13,371
7,000
4,992
-91.3
-62.7
-28.7
Rhode Island
22,776
6,758
4,466
4,197
-81.6
-37.9
-6.0
South Carolina
50,430
19,347
8,672
8,314
-83.5
-57.0
-4.1
South Dakota
6,601
3,291
3,030
2,952
-55.3
-10.3
-2.6
Tennessee
109,678
62,714
24,562
20,951
-80.9
-66.6
-14.7
Texas
284,973
51,931
28,839
26,109
-90.8
-49.7
-9.5
Utah
17,505
6,646
4,013
3,546
-79.7
-46.6
-11.6
Vermont
9,761
3,256
3,371
2,918
-70.1
-10.4
-13.4
Virgin Islands
1,146
537
197
160
-86.0
-70.2
-18.8
Virginia
74,257
37,448
22,232
20,513
-72.4
-45.2
-7.7
Washington
101,542
70,200
35,284
37,270
-63.3
-46.9
5.6
West Virginia
40,279
10,496
7,113
6,572
-83.7
-37.4
-7.6
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Percentage Change to 2018 from
State
1994
2010
2017
2018
1994
2010
2017
Wisconsin
75,086
24,746
16,318
15,740
-79.0
-36.4
-3.5
Wyoming
5,351
318
513
499
-90.7
56.9
-2.7
Totals
5,015,545 1,926,140 1,349,323 1,175,335
-76.6
-39.0
-12.9

September of Selected Years  

Percentage Change to 2018 from

State

1994

2010

2017

2018

1994

2010

2017

Alabama

48,752

23,052

9,326

8,182

-83.2

-64.5

-12.3

Alaska

12,450

3,507

3,093

2,571

-79.3

-26.7

-16.9

Arizona

72,728

18,774

8,222

7,372

-89.9

-60.7

-10.3

Arkansas

25,298

8,469

3,072

2,859

-88.7

-66.2

-6.9

California

916,795

590,121

511,311

409,043

-55.4

-30.7

-20.0

Colorado

40,544

11,707

16,646

12,502

-69.2

6.8

-24.9

Connecticut

60,336

16,848

9,798

8,964

-85.1

-46.8

-8.5

Delaware

11,408

5,508

3,873

3,761

-67.0

-31.7

-2.9

District of Columbia

27,320

8,547

3,124

5,840

-78.6

-31.7

86.9

Florida

239,702

57,742

45,027

41,469

-82.7

-28.2

-7.9

Georgia

141,596

20,133

10,399

10,484

-92.6

-47.9

0.8

Guam

2,089

1,276

541

491

-76.5

-61.5

-9.2

Hawaii

21,312

9,953

4,937

4,274

-79.9

-57.1

-13.4

Idaho

8,635

1,820

1,928

2,046

-76.3

12.4

6.1

Illinois

241,290

24,337

12,613

11,048

-95.4

-54.6

-12.4

Indiana

72,654

36,062

6,962

6,048

-91.7

-83.2

-13.1

Iowa

39,137

21,548

10,694

9,650

-75.3

-55.2

-9.8

Kansas

29,524

15,554

4,462

4,360

-85.2

-72.0

-2.3

Kentucky

78,720

30,875

20,785

18,774

-76.2

-39.2

-9.7

Louisiana

84,162

10,849

5,521

5,402

-93.6

-50.2

-2.2

Maine

22,322

15,377

18,452

17,367

-22.2

12.9

-5.9

Maryland

80,266

25,110

18,611

17,352

-78.4

-30.9

-6.8

Massachusetts

108,985

49,836

51,196

50,270

-53.9

0.9

-1.8

Michigan

215,873

67,241

13,846

12,338

-94.3

-81.7

-10.9

Minnesota

59,987

24,574

18,519

16,973

-71.7

-30.9

-8.3

Mississippi

55,232

11,895

4,891

4,040

-92.7

-66.0

-17.4

Missouri

91,875

39,262

12,452

10,761

-88.3

-72.6

-13.6

Montana

11,416

3,686

4,517

3,691

-67.7

0.1

-18.3

Nebraska

15,435

8,702

5,262

4,832

-68.7

-44.5

-8.2

Nevada

14,620

10,612

9,828

9,023

-38.3

-15.0

-8.2

New Hampshire

11,398

6,175

4,884

5,257

-53.9

-14.9

7.6

New Jersey

122,376

34,516

12,640

10,326

-91.6

-70.1

-18.3

New Mexico

34,535

21,223

11,066

10,632

-69.2

-49.9

-3.9

New York

461,751

154,936

132,675

122,363

-73.5

-21.0

-7.8

North Carolina

129,258

23,705

16,108

14,574

-88.7

-38.5

-9.5

North Dakota

5,410

1,996

1,105

984

-81.8

-50.7

-11.0

Ohio

244,099

105,140

54,161

42,549

-82.6

-59.5

-21.4

Oklahoma

46,572

9,388

6,797

6,176

-86.7

-34.2

-9.1

Oregon

40,504

31,751

43,754

40,932

1.1

28.9

-6.4

Pennsylvania

212,457

53,274

50,615

45,022

-78.8

-15.5

-11.1

Puerto Rico

57,337

13,371

7,000

4,992

-91.3

-62.7

-28.7

Rhode Island

22,776

6,758

4,466

4,197

-81.6

-37.9

-6.0

South Carolina

50,430

19,347

8,672

8,314

-83.5

-57.0

-4.1

South Dakota

6,601

3,291

3,030

2,952

-55.3

-10.3

-2.6

Tennessee

109,678

62,714

24,562

20,951

-80.9

-66.6

-14.7

Texas

284,973

51,931

28,839

26,109

-90.8

-49.7

-9.5

Utah

17,505

6,646

4,013

3,546

-79.7

-46.6

-11.6

Vermont

9,761

3,256

3,371

2,918

-70.1

-10.4

-13.4

Virgin Islands

1,146

537

197

160

-86.0

-70.2

-18.8

Virginia

74,257

37,448

22,232

20,513

-72.4

-45.2

-7.7

Washington

101,542

70,200

35,284

37,270

-63.3

-46.9

5.6

West Virginia

40,279

10,496

7,113

6,572

-83.7

-37.4

-7.6

Wisconsin

75,086

24,746

16,318

15,740

-79.0

-36.4

-3.5

Wyoming

5,351

318

513

499

-90.7

56.9

-2.7

Totals

5,015,545

1,926,140

1,349,323

1,175,335

-76.6

-39.0

-12.9

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
Notes: Data for Puerto Rico are unavailable for September 2017.Data for Puerto Rico are unavailable for September 2017. Total change excludes data for Puerto Rico Total change excludes data for Puerto Rico
for all years.for all years. Caseload data for 2000 through 2017 include those families in Separate State Programs with Caseload data for 2000 through 2017 include those families in Separate State Programs with
expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

Table B-6. TANF Assistance Families by Number of Parents by State: September 2018          

Percentage of Total Families

State

Single Parent

Two Parent

No Parent

Total Fami-lies

Single Parent

Two Parent

No Parent

Total Families

Alabama

3,272

42

4,868

8,182

40.0%

0.5%

59.5%

100.0%

Alaska

1,510

252

809

2,571

58.7

9.8

31.5

100.0

Arizona

2,718

114

4,540

7,372

36.9

1.5

61.6

100.0

Arkansas

1,462

59

1,338

2,859

51.1

2.1

46.8

100.0

California

251,231

27,704

130,108

409,043

61.4

6.8

31.8

100.0

Colorado

9,331

0

3,171

12,502

74.6

0.0

25.4

100.0

Connecticut

2,942

0

6,022

8,964

32.8

0.0

67.2

100.0

Delaware

994

9

2,758

3,761

26.4

0.2

73.3

100.0

District of Columbia

4,086

0

1,754

5,840

70.0

0.0

30.0

100.0

Florida

5,287

215

35,967

41,469

12.7

0.5

86.7

100.0

Georgia

1,982

0

8,502

10,484

18.9

0.0

81.1

100.0

Guam

86

27

378

491

17.5

5.5

77.0

100.0

Hawaii

2,577

611

1,086

4,274

60.3

14.3

25.4

100.0

Idaho

84

0

1,962

2,046

4.1

0.0

95.9

100.0

Illinois

2,199

0

8,849

11,048

19.9

0.0

80.1

100.0

Indiana

1,366

40

4,642

6,048

22.6

0.7

76.8

100.0

Iowa

4,682

390

4,578

9,650

48.5

4.0

47.4

100.0

Kansas

1,806

206

2,348

4,360

41.4

4.7

53.9

100.0

Kentucky

4,308

382

14,084

18,774

22.9

2.0

75.0

100.0

Louisiana

2,268

0

3,134

5,402

42.0

0.0

58.0

100.0

Maine

9,178

6,529

1,660

17,367

52.8

37.6

9.6

100.0

Maryland

10,651

281

6,420

17,352

61.4

1.6

37.0

100.0

Massachusetts

34,435

3,029

12,806

50,270

68.5

6.0

25.5

100.0

Michigan

4,646

0

7,692

12,338

37.7

0.0

62.3

100.0

Minnesota

9,185

0

7,788

16,973

54.1

0.0

45.9

100.0

Mississippi

1,481

0

2,559

4,040

36.7

0.0

63.3

100.0

Missouri

6,301

0

4,460

10,761

58.6

0.0

41.4

100.0

Montana

1,792

282

1,617

3,691

48.6

7.6

43.8

100.0

Nebraska

1,984

0

2,848

4,832

41.1

0.0

58.9

100.0

Nevada

4,161

680

4,182

9,023

46.1

7.5

46.3

100.0

New Hampshire

3,304

37

1,916

5,257

62.8

0.7

36.4

100.0

New Jersey

5,745

59

4,522

10,326

55.6

0.6

43.8

100.0

New Mexico

5,057

675

4,900

10,632

47.6

6.3

46.1

100.0

New York

77,545

2,508

42,310

122,363

63.4

2.0

34.6

100.0

North Carolina

1,772

24

12,778

14,574

12.2

0.2

87.7

100.0

North Dakota

381

0

603

984

38.7

0.0

61.3

100.0

Ohio

5,322

345

36,882

42,549

12.5

0.8

86.7

100.0

Oklahoma

1,738

0

4,438

6,176

28.1

0.0

71.9

100.0

Oregon

27,855

6,521

6,556

40,932

68.1

15.9

16.0

100.0

Pennsylvania

27,889

471

16,662

45,022

61.9

1.0

37.0

100.0

Puerto Rico

4,490

251

251

4,992

89.9

5.0

5.0

100.0

Rhode Island

2,959

164

1,074

4,197

70.5

3.9

25.6

100.0

South Carolina

2,877

0

5,437

8,314

34.6

0.0

65.4

100.0

South Dakota

455

0

2,497

2,952

15.4

0.0

84.6

100.0

Tennessee

8,052

224

12,675

20,951

38.4

1.1

60.5

100.0

Texas

7,194

0

18,915

26,109

27.6

0.0

72.4

100.0

Utah

1,564

0

1,982

3,546

44.1

0.0

55.9

100.0

Vermont

1,322

277

1,319

2,918

45.3

9.5

45.2

100.0

Virgin Islands

131

0

29

160

81.9

0.0

18.1

100.0

Virginia

11,114

0

9,399

20,513

54.2

0.0

45.8

100.0

Washington

17,561

7,313

12,396

37,270

47.1

19.6

33.3

100.0

West Virginia

1,572

0

5,000

6,572

23.9

0.0

76.1

100.0

Wisconsin

4,956

192

10,592

15,740

31.5

1.2

67.3

100.0

Wyoming

223

19

257

499

44.7

3.8

51.5

100.0

Totals

609,083

59,932

506,320

1,175,335

51.8

5.1

43.1

100.0

Table B-6. TANF Assistance Families by Number of Parents by State:
September 2018





Percentage of Total Families
Total
Single
Two
No
Fami-
Single
Two
No
Total
State
Parent Parent Parent
lies
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Alabama
3,272
42
4,868
8,182
40.0%
0.5%
59.5%
100.0%
Alaska
1,510
252
809
2,571
58.7
9.8
31.5
100.0
Arizona
2,718
114
4,540
7,372
36.9
1.5
61.6
100.0
Arkansas
1,462
59
1,338
2,859
51.1
2.1
46.8
100.0
California
251,231
27,704 130,108
409,043
61.4
6.8
31.8
100.0
Colorado
9,331
0
3,171
12,502
74.6
0.0
25.4
100.0
Connecticut
2,942
0
6,022
8,964
32.8
0.0
67.2
100.0
Delaware
994
9
2,758
3,761
26.4
0.2
73.3
100.0
District of Columbia
4,086
0
1,754
5,840
70.0
0.0
30.0
100.0
Florida
5,287
215
35,967
41,469
12.7
0.5
86.7
100.0
Georgia
1,982
0
8,502
10,484
18.9
0.0
81.1
100.0
Guam
86
27
378
491
17.5
5.5
77.0
100.0
Hawaii
2,577
611
1,086
4,274
60.3
14.3
25.4
100.0
Idaho
84
0
1,962
2,046
4.1
0.0
95.9
100.0
Il inois
2,199
0
8,849
11,048
19.9
0.0
80.1
100.0
Indiana
1,366
40
4,642
6,048
22.6
0.7
76.8
100.0
Iowa
4,682
390
4,578
9,650
48.5
4.0
47.4
100.0
Kansas
1,806
206
2,348
4,360
41.4
4.7
53.9
100.0
Kentucky
4,308
382
14,084
18,774
22.9
2.0
75.0
100.0
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Percentage of Total Families
Total
Single
Two
No
Fami-
Single
Two
No
Total
State
Parent Parent Parent
lies
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Louisiana
2,268
0
3,134
5,402
42.0
0.0
58.0
100.0
Maine
9,178
6,529
1,660
17,367
52.8
37.6
9.6
100.0
Maryland
10,651
281
6,420
17,352
61.4
1.6
37.0
100.0
Massachusetts
34,435
3,029
12,806
50,270
68.5
6.0
25.5
100.0
Michigan
4,646
0
7,692
12,338
37.7
0.0
62.3
100.0
Minnesota
9,185
0
7,788
16,973
54.1
0.0
45.9
100.0
Mississippi
1,481
0
2,559
4,040
36.7
0.0
63.3
100.0
Missouri
6,301
0
4,460
10,761
58.6
0.0
41.4
100.0
Montana
1,792
282
1,617
3,691
48.6
7.6
43.8
100.0
Nebraska
1,984
0
2,848
4,832
41.1
0.0
58.9
100.0
Nevada
4,161
680
4,182
9,023
46.1
7.5
46.3
100.0
New Hampshire
3,304
37
1,916
5,257
62.8
0.7
36.4
100.0
New Jersey
5,745
59
4,522
10,326
55.6
0.6
43.8
100.0
New Mexico
5,057
675
4,900
10,632
47.6
6.3
46.1
100.0
New York
77,545
2,508
42,310
122,363
63.4
2.0
34.6
100.0
North Carolina
1,772
24
12,778
14,574
12.2
0.2
87.7
100.0
North Dakota
381
0
603
984
38.7
0.0
61.3
100.0
Ohio
5,322
345
36,882
42,549
12.5
0.8
86.7
100.0
Oklahoma
1,738
0
4,438
6,176
28.1
0.0
71.9
100.0
Oregon
27,855
6,521
6,556
40,932
68.1
15.9
16.0
100.0
Pennsylvania
27,889
471
16,662
45,022
61.9
1.0
37.0
100.0
Puerto Rico
4,490
251
251
4,992
89.9
5.0
5.0
100.0
Rhode Island
2,959
164
1,074
4,197
70.5
3.9
25.6
100.0
South Carolina
2,877
0
5,437
8,314
34.6
0.0
65.4
100.0
South Dakota
455
0
2,497
2,952
15.4
0.0
84.6
100.0
Tennessee
8,052
224
12,675
20,951
38.4
1.1
60.5
100.0
Texas
7,194
0
18,915
26,109
27.6
0.0
72.4
100.0
Utah
1,564
0
1,982
3,546
44.1
0.0
55.9
100.0
Vermont
1,322
277
1,319
2,918
45.3
9.5
45.2
100.0
Virgin Islands
131
0
29
160
81.9
0.0
18.1
100.0
Virginia
11,114
0
9,399
20,513
54.2
0.0
45.8
100.0
Washington
17,561
7,313
12,396
37,270
47.1
19.6
33.3
100.0
West Virginia
1,572
0
5,000
6,572
23.9
0.0
76.1
100.0
Wisconsin
4,956
192
10,592
15,740
31.5
1.2
67.3
100.0
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs






Percentage of Total Families
Total
Single
Two
No
Fami-
Single
Two
No
Total
State
Parent Parent Parent
lies
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Wyoming
223
19
257
499
44.7
3.8
51.5
100.0
Totals
609,083
59,932 506,320 1,175,335
51.8
5.1
43.1
100.0

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

Congressional Research Service

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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs




Author Information

Gene Falk

Specialist in Social Policy


Acknowledgments

Author Contact Information

Gene Falk, Specialist in Social Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])

Acknowledgments

Jameson Carter and Mariam Ghavalyan updated the information in this report. Karen Lynch contributed to Jameson Carter and Mariam Ghavalyan updated the information in this report. Karen Lynch contributed to
the discussion of the TANF funding lapse and legislation to fund TANF in FY2019. Amber Wilhelm the discussion of the TANF funding lapse and legislation to fund TANF in FY2019. Amber Wilhelm
produced this reportproduced this report’'s data visualizations.

Footnotes

1.	The definition of TANF assistance is not in statute. However, because the statutory language has most TANF requirements triggered by a family receiving "assistance," the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations define assistance at 45 C.F.R. §260.31.
2.	States are not required to report to the federal government their cash assistance benefit amounts in either the TANF state plan (under Section 402 of the Social Security Act) or in annual program reports (under Section 411 of the Social Security Act). The benefit amounts shown are from the "Welfare Rules Database," maintained by the Urban Institute and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
3.	Some states vary their benefit amounts for other family types such as two-parent families or "child-only" cases. States also vary their benefits by other factors such as housing costs and substate geography.
4.	In 2017, the HHS poverty guidelines for the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia for a family of three was $1,702 per month. Higher poverty lines applied in Alaska ($2,126 per month for a family of three) and Hawaii ($1,933 per month for a family of three).
5.	Families without a work-eligible individual are excluded from the participation rate calculation. It excludes families where the parent is a nonrecipient (for example, disabled receiving Supplemental Security Income or an ineligible noncitizen) or the children in the family are being cared for by a nonparent relative (e.g., grandparent, aunt, uncle) who does not receive assistance on his or her behalf.
6.	See CRS In Focus IF10856, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Work Requirements.

s data visualizations.

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Congressional Research Service
RL32760 · VERSION 179 · UPDATED
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