Protect TANF Resources for Families Act
Protect TANF Resources for Families Act would tighten how federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funds are used by states. It adds a clear no-supplant requirement, meaning states must use TANF funds to supplement (add to) state and local spending on TANF-associated services rather than replace it. A new certification requirement would require a state’s chief executive to certify that TANF funds will not be used to supplant non-Federal funds. The effective date for these changes is October 1, 2025. Separately, the bill provides a two-year reauthorization of the TANF program, continuing the FY2023 terms through September 30, 2026, with funding provided as necessary from the Treasury to cover program operations. Overall, the bill aims to preserve federal TANF dollars for additional services and reduce shifts of state funding away from TANF programs.
Key Points
- 1No-supplant provision: Adds a requirement that TANF funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, state and local funding for programs and services under TANF (Section 404(l)).
- 2Certification requirement: Adds a certification by the state’s chief executive stating that TANF funds will not be used to replace non-Federal funds for TANF-related services (Section 402(a)(9)).
- 3Effective date: The new prohibitions and certification rule take effect October 1, 2025.
- 4Two-year reauthorization: Extends the TANF program through September 30, 2026, continuing activities under FY2023 terms and authorizing funding as needed from the Treasury to support that continuation (Section 3).
- 5Program scope and funding: The bill modifies TANF under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act while preserving the overall program structure; it does not specify penalties within the text but creates enforceable-sounding requirements that states must meet.