The Temporary Assistance for
November 17, 2020
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
Patrick A. Landers
benefits and services for low-income families with children. TANF was created in the Personal
Analyst in Social Policy
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (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, The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer
For a copy of the ful report,
on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements, by Gene Falk).
please cal 7-5700 or visit
www.crs.gov.
TANF Funding and Expenditures. 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 als o
required in total to contribute, from their own funds, at least $10.3 billion annually under a maintenance -of-effort (MOE)
requirement. The basic block grant is not adjusted for changes in circumstances (e.g., inflation, population) over time. In
FY2019, the TANF basic block grant was 37% below what its value (adjusting for inflation) was in FY1997.
Though TANF is best known for funding assistance payments for needy families with children, the block grant and MOE
funds are used for a wide variety of benefits and activities. In FY2018, expenditures on assistance totaled $6.7 billion—21%
of total federal TANF and MOE dollars. Assistance is often—but not exclusively—paid as cash. In addition to funding basic
assistance, TANF also contributes funds for child care, employment services (for both assistance recipients and others), state
refundable tax credits for low income families, pre-Kindergarten and Head Start programs, 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 requirement.
The TANF Assistance Caseload. A total of 1.1 million families, composed of 2.9 million recipients, received TANF- or
MOE-funded assistance in September 2019. The bulk of the “recipients” were children—2.1 million in that month. The
assistance caseload is heterogeneous. The type of family once thought of as the “typical” assistance family —one with an
unemployed adult recipient—accounted for 32% of all families on the rolls in FY2018. Additionally, 27% of cash assistance
families had an employed adult, while 41% of all TANF families were “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.,
grandparents, aunts, uncles) caring for children, and families consisting of citizen children and ineligible noncitizen parents.
Assistance Benefits. TANF assistance benefit amounts are set by states. In July 2018, the maximum monthly benefit for a
family of three ranged from $1,039 in New Hampshire to $170 in Mississippi. Only New Hampshire (at 60% of the federal
poverty guidelines) had a maximum TANF assistance amount for this sized family in excess of 50% of poverty-level income.
Work Requirements. TANF’s main federal work requirement is 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 and 90%
of two-parent families with work-eligible individuals in work activities, though these standards can be reduced by “credits.”
Therefore, the effective standards states face are often less than the 50% or 90% targets, and vary by state. In FY2019, states
achieved, on average, an all-family participation rate of 47.1% and a two-parent rate of 54.8%. In FY2019, only Montana did
not meet the all-family participation standard and five jurisdictions (California, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, and
Wyoming) did not meet the two-parent standard.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to affect states’ ability to meet TANF work standards. These
standards are in statute and cannot be waived other than through legislation. However, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) can waive financial penalties for states that do not meet standards. In policy guidance, HHS has said
it would use its authority to provide relief from the penalty for not meeting work standards “to the maximum extent
possible.”
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Introduction
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
access to information and data. Appendix A provides additional data on families receiving TANF
assistance over time. Appendix B presents a series of tables with state-level data on TANF
expenditures and families receiving assistance.
This report does not provide information on TANF program rules (for a discussion of TANF
rules, see CRS Report RL32748, The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block
Grant: A Primer on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements, by Gene Falk).
Funding and Expenditures
What Is TANF’s Funding Status?
The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L. 116-159) funds TANF
through December 11, 2020.
How Are State TANF Programs Funded?
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
states, totaling $16.5 bil ion 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
provides extra federal funds to states that meet certain conditions.
Additional y, 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.
States are required to spend at least 75% of what they spent in FY1994 on TANF’s predecessor
programs. The minimum MOE amount, in total, is $10.3 bil ion per year for the 50 states, the
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
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA, P.L. 104-193). A TANF basic block grant
amount—both national y 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
$16.6 bil ion 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
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
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 bil ion.
Table 1 shows the state family assistance grant, in both nominal (actual) and real (inflation-
adjusted) dollars for each year, FY1997 through FY2019. In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, the
FY2019 block grant was 37% below its value in FY1997.
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Table 1. TANF Basic Block Grant Funding in Nominal and Constant Dollars
(In bil ions of $)
Cumulative Change in
State Family Assistance State Family Assistance
the Purchasing Power of
Grant (50 states, DC,
Grant in FY1997
the State Family
Fiscal Year
territories, and tribes)
Dollars
Assistance Grant

1997
$16.567
$16.567
1998
16.567
16.300
-1.6%
1999
16.567
15.993
-3.5
2000
16.567
15.501
-6.4
2001
16.567
15.017
-9.4
2002
16.567
14.796
-10.7
2003
16.567
14.456
-12.7
2004
16.567
14.128
-14.7
2005
16.567
13.679
-17.4
2006
16.567
13.193
-20.4
2007
16.567
12.891
-22.2
2008
16.567
12.342
-25.5
2009
16.567
12.382
-25.3
2010
16.567
12.177
-26.5
2011
16.567
11.862
-28.4
2012
16.567
11.583
-30.1
2013
16.567
11.397
-31.2
2014
16.567
11.215
-32.3
2015
16.567
11.181
-32.5
2016
16.567
11.078
-33.1
2017
16.512
10.819
-34.7
2018
16.512
10.563
-36.2
2019
16.512
10.371
-37.4
Source: 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).
Notes: Constant dol ars were computed using the Consumer Price Index for al Urban Consumers (CPI -U).
How Have States Used TANF Funds?
In FY2018, a total of $31.3 bil ion of both federal TANF and state MOE expenditures were either
expended or transferred to other block grant programs. Assistance—ongoing benefits to families
to meet basic needs—represented 21% ($6.7 bil ion) of total FY2018 TANF and MOE dollars.
TANF is a major contributor of child care funding. In FY2018, $5.3 bil ion (17% of al TANF and
MOE funds) were either expended on child care or transferred to the child care block grant (the
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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 bil ion, or 11% of
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
MOE expenditures on refundable tax credits in FY2018 totaled $2.8 bil ion, or 9% of total TANF
and MOE spending.
TANF and MOE funds also help fund state prekindergarten (pre-K) programs, with total FY2018
expenditures for that category at $2.6 bil ion. 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 risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect,
spending about $2.4 bil ion on such activities. TANF and MOE funds are also used for short-term
and emergency benefits and a wide range of other social services. Figure 1 shows the uses of
federal TANF grants to states and state MOE funds in FY2018.
Figure 1. Uses of TANF Funds by Spending Category, FY2018
(Dol ars in bil ions)

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. Excludes TANF funds used in the territories and in
tribal TANF programs.
For 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 “reserve” unused funds without time limit. This permits flexibility in
timing of the use of TANF funds, including the ability to “save” funds for unexpected
occurrences that might increase costs (such as recessions or natural disasters).
At the end of FY2018 (September 30, 2018, the most recent data currently available), a total of
$5.1 bil ion 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
of FY2018, states had made such commitments to spend—that is, had obligated—a total of $1.4
bil ion. At the end of FY2018, states had $3.7 bil ion of “unobligated balances.” These funds are
available to states to make new spending commitments. Table B-3 shows unspent TANF funds
by state.
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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
only ongoing assistance. There is no complete reporting on families receiving other TANF
benefits and services.
“Assistance” is defined as benefits provided to families to meet ongoing, basic needs.1 It is most
often paid in cash. However, some states use TANF or MOE funds to provide an “earnings
supplement” to working parents added to monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) al otments. These earnings supplements are paid separately from the regular TANF cash
assistance program. Additional y, 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
an ongoing need, and thus are considered TANF assistance.
As discussed in a previous section of this report, TANF basic assistance accounts for about 21%
of al TANF expenditures. Therefore, the federal reporting requirements that pertain to families
receiving assistance are likely to undercount the number of families receiving any TANF-funded
benefit or service.
How Many Families and People Currently Receive TANF- or MOE-
Funded Assistance?
Table 2 provides assistance caseload information. A total of 1.1 mil ion families, composed of 2.9
mil ion recipients, received TANF- or MOE-funded assistance in September 2019. The bulk of
the “recipients” were children—2.1 mil ion in that month. For state-by-state assistance caseloads,
see Table B-4.
Table 2. TANF Assistance Caseload: September 2019
Families
1,090,066
Recipients
2,863,340
Child Recipients
2,106,950
Adult Recipients
756,390
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

1 T he definition of T ANF assistance is not in statute. However, because the statutory language has most T ANF
requirement s 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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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
assistance from TANF or its predecessor program, from July 1959 to September 2019. The
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-
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 fal again during periods
of economic growth. Factors other than the health of the economy (demographic trends, policy
changes) also have influenced the caseload trend.
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
assistance peaked in March 1994 at 5.1 mil ion families. The assistance caseload fel rapidly in
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 2007-
2009 recession and its aftermath, the caseload began to rise from 1.7 mil ion families in August
2008, peaking in December 2010 at close to 2.0 mil ion families. By September 2019, the
assistance caseload had declined to 1.1 mil ion families. As of September 2020, TANF assistance
caseload data are unavailable for the early part of 2020, including months of the economic
recession associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Figure 2. Number of Families Receiving Cash Assistance, July 1959-September 2019

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 201 9, includes families receiving assistance
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 2019.
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Table B-5 shows recent trends in the number of cash assistance families by state.
What Are the Characteristics of Families Receiving TANF
Assistance?
Before PRWORA, the “typical” family receiving assistance had been headed by a single parent
(usual y the mother) with one or two children. That single parent had also typical y been
unemployed. However, since 1996, the assistance caseload decline has occurred together with a
major shift in the composition of the rolls. Figure 3 shows the change in the size 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 FY2018,
families with an unemployed adult recipient represented 32% of al cash assistance 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 FY1994, a monthly
average of 3.8 mil ion families per month who received AFDC cash assistance had adult
recipients who were not working. In FY2018, a monthly average of 394,000 families per month
had adult recipients or work-eligible individuals, with no adult recipient or work-eligible
individual working.
With the decline in families headed by unemployed adults, the share of the caseload represented
by families with employed adults and “child-only” families has increased. The first category
includes families in “earnings supplement” programs separate from the regular TANF cash
assistance program. In FY2018, families with an employed adult comprised 27% of al TANF
families.
Child-only TANF 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 FY2018 was 41%. In FY2018, families with a non-recipient, nonparent relative
(grandparents, aunts, uncles) represented 16% of al assistance families. Families with ineligible,
noncitizen adults or adults who have not reported their citizenship status made up 10% of the
assistance caseload in that year. Families where the parent received Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) and the children received TANF also made up 10% of al assistance families in
FY2018.
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Figure 3. Characteristics of Assistance Families, Selected Years FY1988 to FY2018

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) tabulations of the TANF national data files.
Notes: TANF assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

TANF Cash Benefits: How Much Does a Family
Receive in TANF Cash Per Month?
There are no 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 al
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
families on the presumption that they have greater financial needs. The maximum monthly cash
benefit is usual y 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
a reduced benefit. Moreover, some families are financial y sanctioned for not meeting a program
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 parent caring for
two children (family of three) in July 2018.2 The benefit amounts shown are those for a single-
parent family with two children.3 For a family of three, the maximum TANF benefit paid in July
2018 varied from $170 per month in Mississippi to $1,039 per month in New Hampshire. The
map shows a regional pattern to the maximum monthly benefit paid, with lower benefit amounts

2 States are not required to report to the federal government their cash assistance benefit amounts in eit her the T ANF
state plan (under Section 402 of the Social Security Act) or in annual program reports (under Section 411 of the Social
Security Act). T he 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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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%
of poverty-level income.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 2018

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the Urban Institute’s Welfare Rules
Database. 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
programs.
TANF Work Participation Standards
TANF’s main federal work requirement is actual y a performance measure that applies to the
states, rather than individual recipients. States determine the work rules that apply to individual
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
work or activities—that is, a family member must be in specified activities for a minimum
number of hours.5 There is a separate participation standard that applies to the two-parent portion

4 In 2018, the HHS poverty guidelines for the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia for a family of three
was $1,732 per month. Higher poverty lines applied in Alaska ($2,165 per month for a family of three) and Hawaii
($1,992 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 ineli gible
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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of a state’s caseload, requiring 90% of the state’s two-parent caseload to meet participation
standards.
However, the statutory work participation standards are reduced by a “caseload reduction credit.”
The caseload reduction credit reduces the participation standard one percentage point for each
percentage point decline in a state’s caseload. Additional y, under a regulatory provision, a state
may get “extra” 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,
and vary by state and by year.
States that do not meet the TANF work participation standard are at risk of being penalized
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 “reasonable cause” for not meeting the standard. Penalties
can also be forgiven for states that enter into “corrective compliance plans,” and subsequently
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 wel as the caseload reduction credit, date
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 FY2007.
 The caseload reduction credit was changed to measure caseload reduction from
FY2005, rather than the original law’s FY1995.
 The work participation standards were broadened to include families receiving
cash aid in “separate state programs.” Separate state programs are programs run
with state funds, distinct from a state’s “TANF program,” but with expenditures
countable toward the TANF MOE.
 HHS was instructed to provide definition to the al owable TANF work activities
listed in law. HHS was also required to define what is meant by a “work-eligible”
individual, expanding the number of families that are included in the work
participation calculation.
 States were required to develop plans and procedures to verify work activities.
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 “harmless” for caseload
increases affecting the work participation standards for FY2009 through FY2011. It did so by
al owing states to “freeze” caseload reduction credits at pre-recession levels through the FY2011
standards.
What Work Participation Rates Have the States Achieved?
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 “al -
families” work participation rate is computed and compared with the al -families effective
standard (50% minus the state’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
state’s caseload reduction credit).
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Figure 5 shows the national average al -families work participation rate for FY2002 through
FY2019. For the period FY2002 through FY2011, states achieved an average al -families work
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
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
preparation activities. This increase stems mostly from states creating new “earnings supplement”
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
for work.6
Figure 5. National Average TANF Work Participation Rate for All Families, FY2002-
FY2019

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

How Many Jurisdictions Did Not Meet TANF Work Standards in
FY2019?
In FY2019, Montana was the only jurisdiction that did not meet its TANF w ork participation
standard for al families. Montana also did not meet its standard in FY2018. In terms of the higher
two-parent standard, five jurisdictions did not meet it for FY2019: California, Montana, Nevada,
Rhode Island, and Wyoming. Table B-7 provides information for each jurisdiction on the TANF
work standard, caseload reduction credit, and work participation rate for al families for FY2019.
Table B-8 provides that information for two-parent families.

6 See CRS In Focus IF10856, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Work Requirements.
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How Might the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect the Ability of States to
Meet TANF Work Standards
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect states’ ability to meet their work participation
standards. Employment losses, disruptions in education, and the inability of states to engage
recipients in group activities (e.g., job clubs) could al result in lower participation in work or job
preparation activities. Additional y, if the economic dislocation results in higher assistance
caseloads, a state’s caseload reduction credit would be reduced, resulting in a higher effective
(after-credit) participation standard for the state to meet.
The rules governing the TANF work participation standards cannot be waived, other than through
new legislation. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has the
ability to reduce or waive the penalty on states for failing to meet the TANF work participation
standard. HHS has said that it would exercise its authority to provide states with relief from the
penalty for not meeting participation standards “to the maximum extent possible.”7

7 U.S. Department of Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance,
Questions and answers about TANF and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) pandem ic, T ANF-ACF-Pi-2020-
01, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/resource/tanf-acf-pi-2020-01.
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Appendix A. Supplementary Tables
Table A-1. Trends in the Cash Assistance Caseload: 1961-2018

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

12

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
2018
1.196
3.150
0.833
2.317
3.2
19.5
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Notes: NA denotes not available. During transition reporting from AFDC to TANF, caseload statistics on adult
and child recipients were not col ected. For those years, TANF children as a percent of al children and percent
of al 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/rpt_indicators.pdf.

Congressional Research Service

13

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

Table A-2. Families Receiving AFDC/TANF Assistance by Family Category, Selected
Years, FY1988-FY2018

1988
1994
2001
2006
2018
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not
3,136,56
3,798,99
992,445
825,490
394,316
Working
6
7
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working
243,573
378,620
420,794
259,001
327,649
Child-Only/SSI Parent
59,988
171,391
171,951
176,670
116,859
Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent
47,566
184,397
125,900
153,445
120,438
Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent
51,764
146,227
91,447
158,113
3,007
Child-Only/Caretaker Relative
188,598
328,290
255,984
261,944
194,935
Child-Only/Unknown
19,897
38,341
143,834
122,738
70,205
Totals
3,747,95
5,046,26
2,202,35
1,957,40
1,227,41
2
3
6
2
0

Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Not
83.7
75.3
45.1
42.2
32.1
Working
Adult Recipient or Work-Eligible Parent/Working
6.5
7.5
19.1
13.2
26.7
Child-Only/SSI Parent
1.6
3.4
7.8
9.0
9.5
Child-Only/Noncitizen Parent
1.3
3.7
5.7
7.8
9.8
Child-Only/Other Ineligible Parent
1.4
2.9
4.2
8.1
0.2
Child-Only/Caretaker Relative
5.0
6.5
11.6
13.4
15.9
Child-Only/Unknown
0.5
0.8
6.5
6.3
5.7

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
(QC) data files and the FY2001, FY2006, and FY2018 TANF National Data Files.
Notes: FY2001 through FY2018 data include families receiving assistance from separate state programs (SSPs)
with expenditures countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. For FY2018, TANF
families with an adult recipient include those families with “work-eligible” nonrecipient parents. These include
nonrecipient parents who have been time-limited or sanctioned off the rol s, but the family continues to receive
a reduced benefit. For FY2001 and FY2006, such families cannot be identified and are classified as “child -only”
families.

Congressional Research Service

14

Appendix B. State Tables
Table B-1. Use of FY2018 TANF and MOE Funds by Category
(Dol ars in mil ions)
Emer-
Work,
gency
Other
Education,
Refund-
Pre-
Short-
Benefits
Child
and
able Tax
K/Head
Child
Administ-
Term
and
State
Assistance
Care
Training
Credits
Start
Welfare
ration
Benefits
Services
Totals
Alabama
$20.322
$5.869
$6.318
$0.000
$22.273
$40.456
$19.381
$34.229
$34.613
$183.461
Alaska
42.074
18.167
8.775
0.000
0.000
0.000
8.356
0.303
15.111
92.786
Arizona
41.697
2.547
0.377
0.000
0.000
227.246
19.510
9.483
33.361
334.222
Arkansas
4.099
15.515
14.674
0.000
108.351
0.330
13.143
4.079
4.985
165.175
California
2,329.995
742.572
1,778.602
0.000
0.000
0.003
536.493
254.368
951.812
6,593.846
Colorado
55.969
17.933
10.675
78.133
62.010
46.305
23.917
20.468
65.744
381.154
Connecticut
50.236
39.992
11.732
56.444
76.203
62.230
36.063
19.726
145.736
498.362
Delaware
13.868
76.442
3.791
0.000
0.000
0.000
3.521
2.649
16.273
116.543
District of Columbia
114.482
59.117
29.873
0.000
0.000
0.000
9.730
67.559
8.899
289.659
Florida
160.443
316.879
43.770
0.000
0.000
269.205
70.038
0.902
80.325
941.562
Georgia
95.550
22.183
10.626
0.000
0.000
247.792
19.767
4.672
89.556
490.146
Hawai
28.603
11.042
41.180
0.000
0.181
0.536
13.425
5.701
98.041
198.708
Idaho
8.219
13.637
2.759
0.000
1.509
1.507
7.759
12.651
1.506
49.547
Il inois
31.883
593.251
19.252
66.150
106.476
242.283
0.062
0.740
83.502
1,143.599
Indiana
14.744
118.452
83.762
27.530
0.000
9.337
24.102
0.388
136.557
414.873
Iowa
33.549
58.003
10.485
25.939
0.000
55.569
5.965
0.298
21.696
211.506
Kansas
13.026
6.673
1.021
49.902
15.198
24.611
11.446
0.001
43.604
165.480
Kentucky
172.118
36.051
29.026
0.000
0.000
0.000
11.201
0.000
13.154
261.549
CRS-15

Emer-
Work,
gency
Other
Education,
Refund-
Pre-
Short-
Benefits
Child
and
able Tax
K/Head
Child
Administ-
Term
and
State
Assistance
Care
Training
Credits
Start
Welfare
ration
Benefits
Services
Totals
Louisiana
19.673
11.122
33.016
13.627
45.490
37.556
18.429
11.686
34.916
225.516
Maine
30.393
16.412
12.457
7.592
0.719
8.425
5.099
4.867
31.073
117.038
Maryland
111.809
7.336
28.247
152.658
58.188
26.017
21.845
42.786
51.461
500.347
Massachusetts
197.096
338.728
168.496
173.120
0.000
5.412
37.800
106.280
68.388
1,095.319
Michigan
168.726
27.829
4.868
47.087
187.157
98.198
53.241
66.007
750.442
1,403.556
Minnesota
85.569
156.198
61.434
152.779
5.700
0.000
54.632
24.678
22.180
563.170
Mississippi
7.283
1.715
28.282
0.000
0.000
20.758
16.345
0.000
60.413
134.797
Missouri
35.600
48.658
77.253
0.000
0.000
131.817
7.822
76.644
37.671
415.466
Montana
25.091
9.410
3.931
0.000
0.000
2.460
4.688
2.748
11.092
59.420
Nebraska
26.057
22.244
11.926
33.834
0.000
4.174
5.032
0.146
0.741
104.154
Nevada
38.178
16.590
1.489
0.000
0.000
15.604
8.163
2.721
20.390
103.135
New Hampshire
30.651
4.582
7.689
0.000
0.000
5.309
11.234
7.129
17.733
84.327
New Jersey
81.594
166.219
80.724
348.961
549.240
0.000
51.532
15.091
71.483
1,364.843
New Mexico
55.419
31.278
18.902
71.929
41.168
0.870
4.953
2.919
19.230
246.666
New York
1,489.959
577.447
131.513
1,403.065
498.970
247.188
417.750
313.621
308.739
5,388.252
North Carolina
36.847
216.874
5.437
0.000
120.828
124.292
44.812
5.421
42.710
597.221
North Dakota
3.934
1.074
3.893
0.000
0.000
28.739
4.255
0.019
1.212
43.127
Ohio
236.819
405.938
90.064
0.000
0.000
11.916
110.937
54.605
222.014
1,132.292
Oklahoma
29.493
39.188
9.354
0.000
12.079
14.304
8.623
3.155
30.506
146.702
Oregon
83.385
11.175
16.521
3.381
8.630
14.588
41.043
32.056
65.658
276.435
Pennsylvania
167.239
478.148
102.955
0.000
176.997
0.000
73.820
14.928
140.721
1,154.808
Rhode Island
25.472
40.366
9.874
22.705
0.000
23.308
8.839
24.855
12.235
167.654
CRS-16

Emer-
Work,
gency
Other
Education,
Refund-
Pre-
Short-
Benefits
Child
and
able Tax
K/Head
Child
Administ-
Term
and
State
Assistance
Care
Training
Credits
Start
Welfare
ration
Benefits
Services
Totals
South Carolina
52.919
4.085
33.401
0.000
26.382
5.050
18.931
0.000
23.993
164.761
South Dakota
15.094
0.803
3.517
0.000
0.000
4.863
2.016
3.451
2.896
32.639
Tennessee
18.417
0.000
7.592
0.000
85.990
0.000
26.241
0.000
0.187
138.426
Texas
53.170
0.000
84.856
0.000
340.550
240.425
77.213
3.802
62.412
862.428
Utah
18.920
23.452
22.689
0.000
7.767
3.750
13.811
2.963
25.509
118.861
Vermont
14.148
29.849
1.989
18.312
0.000
5.770
6.032
1.317
15.925
93.342
Virginia
67.733
37.011
39.856
0.000
4.383
8.160
40.268
4.727
76.812
278.950
Washington
135.807
227.095
101.517
0.000
39.450
0.000
122.470
58.065
374.341
1,058.746
West Virginia
26.206
16.242
0.473
0.000
0.000
31.757
14.329
12.749
25.317
127.074
Wisconsin
82.282
203.163
26.142
69.700
0.000
5.364
26.429
38.640
129.371
581.091
Wyoming
9.075
1.554
3.033
0.000
0.939
0.000
4.270
3.175
1.582
23.628

Totals
6,710.93 5,326.11
3,340.09
2,822.85
2,602.83
2,353.48
2,196.78
1,379.47
4,603.83
31,336.37
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Note: Excludes TANF funds used in the territories and in tribal TANF programs.

CRS-17

Table B-2. Uses of FY2018 TANF and MOE Funds by Category as a Percentage of Total Federal TANF and State MOE
Spending
Emer-
Work,
gency
Other
Education
Refund-
Pre-
Short-
Benefits
Child
and
able Tax
K/Head
Child
Admin-
Term
and
State
Assistance
Care
Training
Credits
Start
Welfare
istration
Benefits
Services
Totals
Alabama
11.1%
3.2%
3.4%
0.0%
12.1%
22.1%
10.6%
18.7%
18.9%
100.0%
Alaska
45.3
19.6
9.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
9.0
0.3
16.3
100.0
Arizona
12.5
0.8
0.1
0.0
0.0
68.0
5.8
2.8
10.0
100.0
Arkansas
2.5
9.4
8.9
0.0
65.6
0.2
8.0
2.5
3.0
100.0
California
35.3
11.3
27.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
8.1
3.9
14.4
100.0
Colorado
14.7
4.7
2.8
20.5
16.3
12.1
6.3
5.4
17.2
100.0
Connecticut
10.1
8.0
2.4
11.3
15.3
12.5
7.2
4.0
29.2
100.0
Delaware
11.9
65.6
3.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.0
2.3
14.0
100.0
District of Columbia
39.5
20.4
10.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.4
23.3
3.1
100.0
Florida
17.0
33.7
4.6
0.0
0.0
28.6
7.4
0.1
8.5
100.0
Georgia
19.5
4.5
2.2
0.0
0.0
50.6
4.0
1.0
18.3
100.0
Hawai
14.4
5.6
20.7
0.0
0.1
0.3
6.8
2.9
49.3
100.0
Idaho
16.6
27.5
5.6
0.0
3.0
3.0
15.7
25.5
3.0
100.0
Il inois
2.8
51.9
1.7
5.8
9.3
21.2
0.0
0.1
7.3
100.0
Indiana
3.6
28.6
20.2
6.6
0.0
2.3
5.8
0.1
32.9
100.0
Iowa
15.9
27.4
5.0
12.3
0.0
26.3
2.8
0.1
10.3
100.0
Kansas
7.9
4.0
0.6
30.2
9.2
14.9
6.9
0.0
26.3
100.0
Kentucky
65.8
13.8
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
4.3
0.0
5.0
100.0
Louisiana
8.7
4.9
14.6
6.0
20.2
16.7
8.2
5.2
15.5
100.0
Maine
26.0
14.0
10.6
6.5
0.6
7.2
4.4
4.2
26.5
100.0
CRS-18

Emer-
Work,
gency
Other
Education
Refund-
Pre-
Short-
Benefits
Child
and
able Tax
K/Head
Child
Admin-
Term
and
State
Assistance
Care
Training
Credits
Start
Welfare
istration
Benefits
Services
Totals
Maryland
22.3
1.5
5.6
30.5
11.6
5.2
4.4
8.6
10.3
100.0
Massachusetts
18.0
30.9
15.4
15.8
0.0
0.5
3.5
9.7
6.2
100.0
Michigan
12.0
2.0
0.3
3.4
13.3
7.0
3.8
4.7
53.5
100.0
Minnesota
15.2
27.7
10.9
27.1
1.0
0.0
9.7
4.4
3.9
100.0
Mississippi
5.4
1.3
21.0
0.0
0.0
15.4
12.1
0.0
44.8
100.0
Missouri
8.6
11.7
18.6
0.0
0.0
31.7
1.9
18.4
9.1
100.0
Montana
42.2
15.8
6.6
0.0
0.0
4.1
7.9
4.6
18.7
100.0
Nebraska
25.0
21.4
11.5
32.5
0.0
4.0
4.8
0.1
0.7
100.0
Nevada
37.0
16.1
1.4
0.0
0.0
15.1
7.9
2.6
19.8
100.0
New Hampshire
36.3
5.4
9.1
0.0
0.0
6.3
13.3
8.5
21.0
100.0
New Jersey
6.0
12.2
5.9
25.6
40.2
0.0
3.8
1.1
5.2
100.0
New Mexico
22.5
12.7
7.7
29.2
16.7
0.4
2.0
1.2
7.8
100.0
New York
27.7
10.7
2.4
26.0
9.3
4.6
7.8
5.8
5.7
100.0
North Carolina
6.2
36.3
0.9
0.0
20.2
20.8
7.5
0.9
7.2
100.0
North Dakota
9.1
2.5
9.0
0.0
0.0
66.6
9.9
0.0
2.8
100.0
Ohio
20.9
35.9
8.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
9.8
4.8
19.6
100.0
Oklahoma
20.1
26.7
6.4
0.0
8.2
9.8
5.9
2.2
20.8
100.0
Oregon
30.2
4.0
6.0
1.2
3.1
5.3
14.8
11.6
23.8
100.0
Pennsylvania
14.5
41.4
8.9
0.0
15.3
0.0
6.4
1.3
12.2
100.0
Rhode Island
15.2
24.1
5.9
13.5
0.0
13.9
5.3
14.8
7.3
100.0
South Carolina
32.1
2.5
20.3
0.0
16.0
3.1
11.5
0.0
14.6
100.0
South Dakota
46.2
2.5
10.8
0.0
0.0
14.9
6.2
10.6
8.9
100.0
CRS-19

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

Table B-3. Unspent TANF Funds at the End of FY2018
(September 30, 2018, in mil ions of dol ars)
Obligated But
Unobligated and
State
Not Spent
Unspent
Alabama
$0.0
$86.4
Alaska
0.0
36.3
Arizona
0.0
49.4
Arkansas
20.4
53.4
California
257.8
0.0
Colorado
0.0
104.5
Connecticut
0.0
0.0
Delaware
0.6
14.1
District of Columbia
0.0
48.7
Florida
15.9
0.0
Georgia
10.7
66.8
Hawai
20.7
280.6
Idaho
0.0
13.8
Il inois
0.0
0.0
Indiana
13.7
50.8
Iowa
0.7
0.0
Kansas
2.0
73.8
Kentucky
0.0
63.8
Louisiana
9.5
0.0
Maine
14.2
130.8
Maryland
0.0
8.6
Massachusetts
0.0
0.0
Michigan
0.0
56.1
Minnesota
0.0
58.0
Mississippi
0.0
8.4
Missouri
0.0
5.3
Montana
0.0
15.6
Nebraska
0.0
70.4
Nevada
0.0
32.8
New Hampshire
0.0
55.4
Congressional Research Service

21

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

Obligated But
Unobligated and
State
Not Spent
Unspent
New Jersey
10.9
11.1
New Mexico
0.0
88.7
New York
34.1
513.3
North Carolina
51.1
0.0
North Dakota
1.9
0.0
Ohio
542.3
0.5
Oklahoma
134.5
0.0
Oregon
0.0
13.8
Pennsylvania
77.4
430.7
Rhode Island
0.0
16.8
South Carolina
0.0
0.0
South Dakota
0.0
19.6
Tennessee
0.0
570.7
Texas
204.9
123.5
Utah
0.0
60.6
Vermont
0.0
0.0
Virginia
6.9
133.9
Washington
0.0
48.4
West Virginia
0.0
74.6
Wisconsin
0.0
175.6
Wyoming
4.5
25.4

Totals
1,434.9
3,691.1
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Note: Excludes TANF funds used in the territories and in tribal TANF programs.

Table B-4. Number of Families, Recipients, Children, and Adults Receiving TANF
Assistance by Jurisdiction, September 2019
Jurisdiction
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
Alabama
7,687
17,453
14,340
3,113
Alaska
2,245
5,876
4,088
1,788
Arizona
7,010
14,003
11,511
2,492
Congressional Research Service

22

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

Jurisdiction
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
Arkansas
2,357
5,296
4,006
1,290
California
367,313
1,186,031
834,509
351,522
Colorado
14,226
35,165
25,631
9,534
Connecticut
7,724
15,857
11,568
4,289
Delaware
3,249
9,060
5,413
3,647
District of Columbia
7,745
22,316
16,169
6,147
Florida
38,093
60,050
51,103
8,947
Georgia
8,837
16,202
15,214
988
Guam
439
974
826
148
Hawai
4,029
11,005
7,829
3,176
Idaho
2,043
2,946
2,859
87
Il inois
10,874
21,635
19,449
2,186
Indiana
5,164
10,425
9,356
1,069
Iowa
8,922
21,527
16,498
5,029
Kansas
4,039
4,039
2,080
1,959
Kentucky
16,586
33,282
29,002
4,280
Louisiana
4,726
11,496
9,619
1,877
Maine
14,634
49,039
30,601
18,438
Maryland
16,469
39,936
29,814
10,122
Massachusetts
50,166
134,451
95,321
39,130
Michigan
10,794
27,295
22,311
4,984
Minnesota
15,399
36,303
28,132
8,171
Mississippi
3,083
5,863
4,864
999
Missouri
9,760
22,622
17,343
5,279
Montana
3,236
7,785
6,049
1,736
Nebraska
4,364
10,775
9,065
1,710
Nevada
8,042
20,194
15,297
4,897
New Hampshire
5,206
12,363
9,028
3,335
New Jersey
8,857
20,115
15,669
4,446
New Mexico
10,087
25,027
18,877
6,150
New York
113,971
293,343
205,260
88,083
North Carolina
13,064
21,922
20,157
1,765
North Dakota
939
2,325
1,986
339
Ohio
51,140
92,366
83,662
8,704
Oklahoma
5,949
13,048
11,389
1,659
Oregon
36,971
108,967
70,854
38,113
Pennsylvania
39,746
97,743
73,234
24,509
Congressional Research Service

23

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

Jurisdiction
Families
Recipients
Children
Adults
Puerto Rico
4,475
12,279
7,625
4,654
Rhode Island
4,002
9,809
7,187
2,622
South Carolina
7,649
16,922
14,339
2,583
South Dakota
2,923
5,741
5,329
412
Tennessee
19,221
41,313
33,537
7,776
Texas
22,821
49,308
42,670
6,638
Utah
3,170
7,448
5,572
1,876
Vermont
2,669
6,031
4,369
1,662
Virgin Islands
96
318
222
96
Virginia
19,875
35,582
27,876
7,706
Washington
36,023
86,306
59,713
26,593
West Virginia
6,331
12,481
10,442
2,039
Wisconsin
15,122
32,503
27,173
5,330
Wyoming
504
1,179
913
266

Totals
1,090,066
2,863,340
2,106,950
756,390
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.
Table B-5. Number of Needy Families with Children Receiving Assistance
by Jurisdiction, September of Selected Years

Percentage Change to 2019 from …
Jurisdiction
1994
2010
2018
2019
2018
1994
Alabama
48,752
23,052
8,182
7,687
-6.0
-84.2
Alaska
12,450
3,507
2,571
2,245
-12.7
-82.0
Arizona
72,728
18,774
7,372
7,010
-4.9
-90.4
Arkansas
25,298
8,469
2,859
2,357
-17.6
-90.7
California
916,795
590,121
409,043
367,313
-10.2
-59.9
Colorado
40,544
11,707
12,502
14,226
13.8
-64.9
Connecticut
60,336
16,848
8,964
7,724
-13.8
-87.2
Delaware
11,408
5,508
3,760
3,249
-13.6
-71.5
District of Columbia
27,320
8,547
5,840
7,745
32.6
-71.7
Florida
239,702
57,742
41,469
38,093
-8.1
-84.1
Georgia
141,596
20,133
10,484
8,837
-15.7
-93.8
Guam
2,089
1,276
491
439
-10.6
-79.0
Hawai
21,312
9,953
4,229
4,029
-4.7
-81.1
Congressional Research Service

24

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

Percentage Change to 2019 from …
Jurisdiction
1994
2010
2018
2019
2018
1994
Idaho
8,635
1,820
2,046
2,043
-0.1
-76.3
Il inois
241,290
24,337
11,048
10,874
-1.6
-95.5
Indiana
72,654
36,062
6,048
5,164
-14.6
-92.9
Iowa
39,137
21,548
9,650
8,922
-7.5
-77.2
Kansas
29,524
15,554
4,360
4,039
-7.4
-86.3
Kentucky
78,720
30,875
18,774
16,586
-11.7
-78.9
Louisiana
84,162
10,849
5,402
4,726
-12.5
-94.4
Maine
22,322
15,377
17,367
14,634
-15.7
-34.4
Maryland
80,266
25,110
17,352
16,469
-5.1
-79.5
Massachusetts
108,985
49,836
50,270
50,166
-0.2
-54.0
Michigan
215,873
67,241
12,338
10,794
-12.5
-95.0
Minnesota
59,987
24,574
16,973
15,399
-9.3
-74.3
Mississippi
55,232
11,895
4,040
3,083
-23.7
-94.4
Missouri
91,875
39,262
10,761
9,760
-9.3
-89.4
Montana
11,416
3,686
3,691
3,236
-12.3
-71.7
Nebraska
15,435
8,702
4,832
4,364
-9.7
-71.7
Nevada
14,620
10,612
9,023
8,042
-10.9
-45.0
New Hampshire
11,398
6,175
5,257
5,206
-1.0
-54.3
New Jersey
122,376
34,516
10,326
8,857
-14.2
-92.8
New Mexico
34,535
21,223
10,632
10,087
-5.1
-70.8
New York
461,751
154,936
122,363
113,971
-6.9
-75.3
North Carolina
129,258
23,705
14,762
13,064
-11.5
-89.9
North Dakota
5,410
1,996
984
939
-4.6
-82.6
Ohio
244,099
105,140
42,549
51,140
20.2
-79.0
Oklahoma
46,572
9,388
6,176
5,949
-3.7
-87.2
Oregon
40,504
31,751
40,932
36,971
-9.7
-8.7
Pennsylvania
212,457
53,274
45,022
39,746
-11.7
-81.3
Puerto Rico
57,337
13,371
4,992
4,475
-10.4
-92.2
Rhode Island
22,776
6,758
4,213
4,002
-5.0
-82.4
South Carolina
50,430
19,347
8,314
7,649
-8.0
-84.8
South Dakota
6,601
3,291
2,952
2,923
-1.0
-55.7
Tennessee
109,678
62,714
20,951
19,221
-8.3
-82.5
Texas
284,973
51,931
26,109
22,821
-12.6
-92.0
Utah
17,505
6,646
3,546
3,170
-10.6
-81.9
Vermont
9,761
3,256
2,918
2,669
-8.5
-72.7
Virgin Islands
1,146
537
160
96
-40.0
-91.6
Congressional Research Service

25

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

Percentage Change to 2019 from …
Jurisdiction
1994
2010
2018
2019
2018
1994
Virginia
74,257
37,448
20,513
19,875
-3.1
-73.2
Washington
101,542
70,200
37,270
36,023
-3.3
-64.5
West Virginia
40,279
10,496
6,572
6,331
-3.7
-84.3
Wisconsin
75,086
24,746
15,740
15,122
-3.9
-79.9
Wyoming
5,351
318
499
504
1.0
-90.6

Totals
5,015,545
1,926,140
1,175,493
1,090,066
-7.3
-78.3

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Notes: Caseload data for 2010 through 2019 include those families in Separate State Programs with expenditures
countable toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.
Table B-6. TANF Assistance Families by Number of Parents by Jurisdiction:
September 2019

Percentage of Total Families
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Jurisdiction
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Alabama
3,021
25
4,641
7,687
39.3%
0.3%
60.4%
100.0%
Alaska
1,303
203
739
2,245
58.0
9.0
32.9
100.0
Arizona
2,165
126
4,719
7,010
30.9
1.8
67.3
100.0
Arkansas
1,175
56
1,126
2,357
49.9
2.4
47.8
100.0
California
224,473
24,435
118,405
367,313
61.1
6.7
32.2
100.0
Colorado
8,955
0
5,271
14,226
62.9
0.0
37.1
100.0
Connecticut
2,317
0
5,407
7,724
30.0
0.0
70.0
100.0
Delaware
756
11
2,482
3,249
23.3
0.3
76.4
100.0
District of Columbia
6,147
0
1,598
7,745
79.4
0.0
20.6
100.0
Florida
4,625
209
33,259
38,093
12.1
0.5
87.3
100.0
Georgia
1,019
0
7,818
8,837
11.5
0.0
88.5
100.0
Guam
93
19
327
439
21.2
4.3
74.5
100.0
Hawai
2,413
588
1,028
4,029
59.9
14.6
25.5
100.0
Idaho
87
0
1,956
2,043
4.3
0.0
95.7
100.0
Il inois
2,170
0
8,704
10,874
20.0
0.0
80.0
100.0
Indiana
1,247
81
3,836
5,164
24.1
1.6
74.3
100.0
Iowa
4,255
350
4,317
8,922
47.7
3.9
48.4
100.0
Kansas
1,979
247
1,813
4,039
49.0
6.1
44.9
100.0
Kentucky
3,639
330
12,617
16,586
21.9
2.0
76.1
100.0
Congressional Research Service

26

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

Percentage of Total Families
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Jurisdiction
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Louisiana
1,849
0
2,877
4,726
39.1
0.0
60.9
100.0
Maine
7,745
5,383
1,506
14,634
52.9
36.8
10.3
100.0
Maryland
10,172
238
6,059
16,469
61.8
1.4
36.8
100.0
Massachusetts
34,984
2,744
12,438
50,166
69.7
5.5
24.8
100.0
Michigan
4,152
0
6,642
10,794
38.5
0.0
61.5
100.0
Minnesota
8,252
0
7,147
15,399
53.6
0.0
46.4
100.0
Mississippi
989
0
2,094
3,083
32.1
0.0
67.9
100.0
Missouri
5,758
0
4,002
9,760
59.0
0.0
41.0
100.0
Montana
1,512
215
1,509
3,236
46.7
6.6
46.6
100.0
Nebraska
1,718
0
2,646
4,364
39.4
0.0
60.6
100.0
Nevada
3,517
618
3,907
8,042
43.7
7.7
48.6
100.0
New Hampshire
3,132
37
2,037
5,206
60.2
0.7
39.1
100.0
New Jersey
4,913
54
3,890
8,857
55.5
0.6
43.9
100.0
New Mexico
4,846
652
4,589
10,087
48.0
6.5
45.5
100.0
New York
71,751
2,989
39,231
113,971
63.0
2.6
34.4
100.0
North Carolina
1,262
6
11,796
13,064
9.7
0.0
90.3
100.0
North Dakota
497
0
442
939
52.9
0.0
47.1
100.0
Ohio
7,271
362
43,507
51,140
14.2
0.7
85.1
100.0
Oklahoma
1,659
0
4,290
5,949
27.9
0.0
72.1
100.0
Oregon
26,126
5,481
5,364
36,971
70.7
14.8
14.5
100.0
Pennsylvania
24,232
312
15,202
39,746
61.0
0.8
38.2
100.0
Puerto Rico
4,023
237
215
4,475
89.9
5.3
4.8
100.0
Rhode Island
2,869
131
1,002
4,002
71.7
3.3
25.0
100.0
South Carolina
2,583
0
5,066
7,649
33.8
0.0
66.2
100.0
South Dakota
412
0
2,511
2,923
14.1
0.0
85.9
100.0
Tennessee
7,010
172
12,039
19,221
36.5
0.9
62.6
100.0
Texas
6,638
0
16,183
22,821
29.1
0.0
70.9
100.0
Utah
1,346
0
1,824
3,170
42.5
0.0
57.5
100.0
Vermont
1,180
231
1,258
2,669
44.2
8.7
47.1
100.0
Virgin Islands
77
0
19
96
80.2
0.0
19.8
100.0
Virginia
10,822
0
9,053
19,875
54.5
0.0
45.5
100.0
Washington
17,021
6,983
12,019
36,023
47.3
19.4
33.4
100.0
West Virginia
1,522
0
4,809
6,331
24.0
0.0
76.0
100.0
Wisconsin
4,853
224
10,045
15,122
32.1
1.5
66.4
100.0
Wyoming
228
19
257
504
45.2
3.8
51.0
100.0
Congressional Research Service

27

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

Percentage of Total Families
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Single-
Two-
No-
Total
Jurisdiction
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Parent
Parent
Parent
Families
Totals
558,760
53,768
477,538 1,090,066
51.3
4.9
43.8
100.0
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Notes: TANF cash assistance caseload includes families receiving assistance in state-funded programs counted
toward the TANF maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement.

Table B-7. TANF Work Participation Standard and Rate, By Jurisdiction,
for All Families: FY2019
Caseload
Effective
Reduction
(After Credit)
Work Participation
State
Standard
Credit
Standard
Rate
Alabama
50.0
50.0
0.0
54.8
Alaska
50.0
31.0
19.0
48.5
Arizona
50.0
50.0
0.0
21.6
Arkansas
50.0
50.0
0.0
26.4
California
50.0
16.2
33.8
55.3
Colorado
50.0
38.3
11.7
34.7
Connecticut
50.0
50.0
0.0
26.7
Delaware
50.0
50.0
0.0
23.1
District of Col.
50.0
48.0
2.0
50.0
Florida
50.0
31.6
18.4
41.5
Georgia
50.0
50.0
0.0
26.6
Guam
50.0
47.5
2.5
24.1
Hawai
50.0
50.0
0.0
29.3
Idaho
50.0
0.0
50.0
59.6
Il inois
50.0
43.0
7.0
61.5
Indiana
50.0
50.0
0.0
30.5
Iowa
50.0
50.0
0.0
27.2
Kansas
50.0
50.0
0.0
32.4
Kentucky
50.0
45.5
4.5
55.6
Louisiana
50.0
50.0
0.0
5.8
Maine
50.0
0.0
50.0
87.7
Maryland
50.0
44.3
5.7
26.6
Massachusetts
50.0
20.5
29.5
66.4
Michigan
50.0
50.0
0.0
60.5
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Caseload
Effective
Reduction
(After Credit)
Work Participation
State
Standard
Credit
Standard
Rate
Minnesota
50.0
40.4
9.6
35.7
Mississippi
50.0
50.0
0.0
49.1
Missouri
50.0
50.0
0.0
24.3
Montanaa
50.0
10.9
39.1
37.2
Nebraska
50.0
50.0
0.0
43.9
Nevada
50.0
22.0
28.0
38.1
New Hampshire
50.0
0.0
50.0
62.9
New Jersey
50.0
50.0
0.0
29.8
New Mexico
50.0
50.0
0.0
42.5
New York
50.0
44.4
5.6
21.7
North Carolina
50.0
44.6
5.4
26.4
North Dakota
50.0
50.0
0.0
54.1
Ohio
50.0
42.8
7.2
34.8
Oklahoma
50.0
46.9
3.1
31.5
Oregon
50.0
0.0
50.0
65.9
Pennsylvania
50.0
50.0
0.0
22.2
Puerto Rico
50.0
50.0
0.0
19.1
Rhode Island
50.0
50.0
0.0
8.9
South Carolina
50.0
50.0
0.0
29.9
South Dakota
50.0
0.0
50.0
57.7
Tennessee
50.0
50.0
0.0
33.2
Texas
50.0
50.0
0.0
21.8
Utah
50.0
50.0
0.0
11.8
Vermont
50.0
42.6
7.4
46.2
Virgin Islands
50.0
50.0
0.0
6.2
Virginia
50.0
50.0
0.0
40.5
Washington
50.0
46.8
3.2
50.5
West Virginia
50.0
45.6
4.4
34.7
Wisconsin
50.0
41.2
8.8
51.8
Wyoming
50.0
0.0
50.0
72.5
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
a. State did not meet its work participation standard.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Table B-8. TANF Work Participation Standard and Rate, By Jurisdiction, for Two-
Parent Families: FY2019
Caseload
Effective
Work
Reduction
(After Credit)
Participation
State
Standard
Credit
Standard
Rate
Alabama
90.0
89.5
0.5
52.9
Alaska
90.0
39.5
50.5
64.2
Arizona
90.0
74.0
16.0
55.9
Arkansas
90.0
84.2
5.8
27.0
Californiaa
90.0
25.6
64.4
31.1
Colorado
NA
NA
NA
NA
Connecticut
NA
NA
NA
NA
Delaware
NA
NA
NA
NA
District of Col.
NA
NA
NA
NA
Florida
90.0
80.8
9.2
44.3
Georgia
NA
NA
NA
NA
Guam
90.0
47.5
42.5
54.6
Hawai
90.0
75.3
14.7
46.4
Idaho
NA
NA
NA
NA
Il inois
NA
NA
NA
NA
Indiana
90.0
77.2
12.8
29.8
Iowa
90.0
80.2
9.8
22.3
Kansas
90.0
75.6
14.4
39.6
Kentucky
90.0
45.5
44.5
57.9
Louisiana
NA
NA
NA
NA
Maine
90.0
0.0
90.0
97.3
Maryland
NA
NA
NA
NA
Massachusetts
90.0
20.5
69.5
84.8
Michigan
NA
NA
NA
NA
Minnesota
NA
NA
NA
NA
Mississippi
NA
NA
NA
NA
Missouri
NA
NA
NA
NA
Montanaa
90.0
41.0
49.0
40.2
Nebraska
NA
NA
NA
NA
Nevadaa
90.0
22.0
68.0
50.3
New Hampshire
NA
NA
NA
NA
New Jersey
90.0
77.3
12.7
92.8
New Mexico
90.0
62.5
27.5
52.7
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

Caseload
Effective
Work
Reduction
(After Credit)
Participation
State
Standard
Credit
Standard
Rate
New York
NA
NA
NA
NA
North Carolina
90.0
44.6
45.4
46.7
North Dakota
NA
NA
NA
NA
Ohio
90.0
84.1
5.9
37.7
Oklahoma
NA
NA
NA
NA
Oregon
90.0
0.0
90.0
98.6
Pennsylvania
90.0
89.4
0.6
37.8
Puerto Rico
NA
NA
NA
NA
Rhode Islanda
90.0
58.8
31.2
11.8
South Carolina
NA
NA
NA
NA
South Dakota
NA
NA
NA
NA
Tennessee
90.0
69.4
20.6
32.8
Texas
NA
NA
NA
NA
Utah
NA
NA
NA
NA
Vermont
90.0
61.2
28.8
58.0
Virgin Islands
NA
NA
NA
NA
Virginia
NA
NA
NA
NA
Washington
90.0
46.8
43.2
69.6
West Virginia
NA
NA
NA
NA
Wisconsin
90.0
68.3
21.7
66.5
Wyominga
90.0
0.0
90.0
77.6
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
Note: NA = jurisdiction does not serve two-parent families in its TANF assistance program.
a. State did not meet its work participation standard.

Author Information

Gene Falk
Patrick A. Landers
Specialist in Social Policy
Analyst in Social Policy

Acknowledgments
Amber Wilhelm and Calvin DeSouza produced this report’s data visualizations.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: FAQs

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