Restoring Temporary to TANF Act
Restoring Temporary to TANF Act wouldChange: The bill amends the Social Security Act to require that, starting Oct. 1, 2026, states receiving TANF block grants (under section 403(a)(1)) must spend at least 25 percent of their annual TANF grant on “core work” activities. These core activities include work supports, education and training, apprenticeships, non-recurring short-term benefits, traditional work activities, and case management to help individuals develop an individual responsibility plan. The aim is to ensure a stronger focus on employment-related outcomes and supports that help families move toward self-sufficiency, while preserving states’ overall flexibility to use the remaining funds for other TANF purposes. Impact: If enacted, states would need to adjust their TANF spending to meet this floor, potentially shifting resources from other uses to core work activities. The provision signals a stricter emphasis on workforce development and services tied to employment, with a specific link to helping families create and pursue an individual responsibility plan. The law’s effectiveness would depend on state implementation, program design, and capacity to deliver these core services.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a 25 percent minimum expenditure floor: For each fiscal year, a TANF grant recipient state must spend at least 25% of its grant amount on core work activities described in the bill.
- 2Enumerated core work activities: The 25% must cover work supports, education and training, apprenticeships, non-recurring short-term benefits, work activities (as defined in TANF), and case management needed to help individuals develop an individual responsibility plan.
- 3Applies to annual TANF grants: The requirement applies to grants made under section 403(a)(1) for each fiscal year.
- 4Effective date: The new requirement takes effect October 1, 2026.
- 5Purpose and scope: The bill is titled the Restoring Temporary to TANF Act and focuses on directing TANF funds toward core work-related activities, while leaving other TANF uses potentially unrestricted beyond the 25% floor.