http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus.xml?type=temporary_assistance In Focus articles from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 15:26:32 -0500 info@clasp.org webmaster@clasp.org 40 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0063 This week, committees in the Tennessee legislature approved a bill that would cut parents' TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance benefits if their children failed to be promoted to the next grade at school. This proposal is based on an inaccurate and stereotyped belief that poor parents need to be coerced into caring about their children's school achievement. If enacted, it will create new paperwork burdens for schools and welfare agencies, already straining under budget cuts. Most importantly, it risks pushing the most vulnerable children even deeper into poverty. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0063 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0062 In last week's This American Life episode, which focuses on income support programs for people with disabilities, one segment reports on contractors who are paid by states or counties to assist individuals receiving TANF benefits in applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an income support program for low-income individuals who are unable to work due to disability. While not directly stated, many listeners may have been left with the impression that states are helping people who are not really disabled qualify for SSI, or that such efforts have been a significant driver of the growth in the numbers of individuals receiving SSI benefits. Neither of these is true. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0062 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0061 This week, the federal 11th circuit court of appeals upheld the injunction on FloridaaEUR(TM)s suspicionless drug testing program. The decision will continue to prevent Florida from implementing its 2011 suspicionless, or universal, drug testing law on TANF applicants. The court decision affirmed in strong language that poverty alone does not provide reasonable suspicion for drug testing safety-net program applicants. CLASP has long held that, in addition to the constitutional concerns, suspicionless drug testing is costly and ineffective at identifying substance abusers. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0061 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0060 Attached is an excerpt from Elizabeth Lower-Basch's February 28 testimony before the Human Resources Subcommittee of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on waiving work requirements in the TANF Program. The subcommittee hearing focused on reviewing the Health and Human Services' proposed waivers of TANF work requirements. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0060 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0059 The first stated goal of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant is aEURoeto provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.aEUR? However, the National Center on Family Homelessness estimates that over 1.6 million children in the U.S. are homeless at some point in the course of a year, meaning that TANF is clearly failing in this goal. Three-fifths of homeless families do not receive cash assistance from TANF; for others, the meager TANF benefit is not enough to keep them securely housed. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0059 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0058 Recent news stories highlight the problems with the current work participation rates and the reasons that HHS is on the right path in inviting states to propose thoughtful alternatives that would more accurately reflect the statesaEUR(TM) performance in helping clients achieve self-sufficiency through work. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0058 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0057 In recent years, proposals to require TANF applicants to take drug tests have received a great deal of attention. However, states have other, more effective and less stigmatizing ways to identify applicants and recipients for whom substance abuse is a barrier to employment. In a new policy brief, CLASP explains options states may use for addressing addiction among TANF recipients and highlights some promising practices. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0057 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0056 Concerns about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) extension being held hostage in an election-year conflict over waivers proved groundless, as Congress included a six-month extension of TANF, without changes, as part of the Continuing Resolution passed last week. This extension was critical, as TANF provides funding for child care, job training, and other services for low-income families, as well as cash assistance. Without an extension, TANF funding would have expired on September 30th, jeopardizing these essential programs, and creating significant problems for state governments. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0056 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0055 This week marks the 16th anniversary of the signing of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the law that drastically overhauled the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and turned it into what is now the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. Not much has changed since the last anniversary, but in a heated election year, TANF and work requirements for TANF recipients have resurfaced as a hot button issue. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0055 Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0054 Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that it will allow states to apply for waivers to run demonstration projects in the TANF program to give greater flexibility to states to consider new and potentially more effective strategies for helping recipients prepare for, find, and retain jobs. This effort is consistent with CLASPaEUR(TM)s goals and recommendations for TANF reauthorization and the role education and training should play under TANF. For the Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesaEUR(TM) (CBPP) perspective on the DHHS announcement, see 5 Ways Waivers Will Strengthen Welfare Reform. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0054 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0053 CLASP's comments to ACF recommends ways to minimize the resources wasted in implementing EBT Blocking, and ensure that needy families are not unduly burdened and do not pay excessive fees in accessing their benefits. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0053 Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0052 New data released by the Administration on Children and Families show some of the impacts of cuts in federal fiscal year 2011 funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, which was $4.1 billion less than the previous year - a decline of nearly 19.6 percent. The decline in funding was primarily due to Congress allowing the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF EF) to end, as well as Congress' failure to fully fund either the regular Contingency Fund or the Supplemental Grants awarded to states that were disadvantaged by the TANF block grant formula. All told, these cuts have serious effects for families struggling to meet their basic needs. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0052 Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0050 A significant share of families receiving TANF cash assistance are "child-only," yet we know very little about how well this assistance meets the needs of the children receiving it. Families receive child-only benefits for many reasons, and each type of case has different implications for the family and the services it may need. A new brief released by the Administration for Children and Families explores what we know about families receiving child-only benefits, and outlines the research that is required to fully understand them. What's clear is there is no one policy solution for meeting these children's needs and more research is needed on the outcomes various policies would have for children. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0050 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0051 Over the last couple weeks, CLASP participated in a discussion series on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund on the Workforce Innovation Forum. The Innovation Forum was established by the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services last September to create a space to foster rich communication and share novel ideas about workforce issues. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0051 Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0049 Unemployment remained stable this month, and is now down 0.8 percentage points since August 2011, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data reported today. Despite this improvement, less educated workers continue to struggle and have unemployment rates significantly higher than the national average. One strategy to address the ongoing jobs crisis among low-skill workers is transitional jobs, which combine temporary subsidized jobs with case management, job readiness and skills-building activities. Earlier this week the Social IMPACT Research Center released its evaluation of Chicago Neighborhood JobStart, a transitional jobs program funded in part through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0049 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0048 As part of the payroll tax bill passed today, Congress extended the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2012). The TANF program was scheduled for reauthorization in 2010, but Congress has not taken it up, instead passing a series of short-term extensions. The bill passed by Congress did include one policy change, however. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0048 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0047 States will not receive additional TANF funds after December 31 unless Congress acts. However, states can use federal funds they have already received and state funds to continue benefits. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0047 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0046 Record budget gaps and deficit reduction debates have continuously threatened the existence of vital domestic programs on both the state and national level despite increased need and program success. The economic situation also has boosted states' efforts to collect overpayments and fines. In California these debt collectors are even going after poor children. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0046 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0045 State cash assistance programs funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant have responded unevenly to rising need. Next week, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) is introducing a bill, the RISE Out of Poverty Act, to reauthorize TANF. The bill establishes reducing child poverty as its primary goal and provides states with the needed resources to achieve this goal. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0045 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0044 A bill introduced today would address the ongoing jobs crisis by creating work and educational opportunities for unemployed workers, those who can't qualify for unemployment benefits and other disadvantaged individuals. While the nation has dealt with an unemployment rate hovering around 9 percent or higher since 2009, policymakers cannot allow this to become a new normal. This is the third scaled-down jobs bill based on provisions in the Americans Jobs Act to be introduced in the past month. Two other measures failed to get enough votes to move past debate. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0044