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TANF

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May 8, 2020 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

The Rainy Day is Here: During COVID-19, States Should Increase Emergency Assistance

It’s no surprise that families need money to afford basic necessities, especially during COVID-19. One way states can provide immediate help to children in families with low incomes is to create emergency assistance grants using unspent TANF funds.

Read more
Sep 2, 2020 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

Families Can’t Get by on Cash Assistance

Apr 16, 2020 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

During COVID-19, States Should Continue Waiving TANF Work Requirements and Time Limits

TANF

TANF 101: Policy Briefs on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

VIEW MORE ➝

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance, job training, and other services to low-income families. Over the past 20 years, the program has shrunk considerably. That’s because states receive TANF funds as block grants, making the program unresponsive to the economy. Moreover, many states use TANF dollars to fill holes in their budgets rather than using funds to provide cash, meaningful work experiences, or child care to families experiencing poverty. CLASP advocates for federal and state reforms that strengthen the program. We work to direct funding where it’s needed, and remove arbitrary rules that keep families from getting help.

Featured Expert: 
Elizabeth Lower-Basch

Elizabeth Lower-Basch

Director of Income and Work Supports

TANF

New from CLASP

September 2, 2020 | Blog Post | TANF
Families Can’t Get by on Cash Assistance
July 23, 2020 | Blog Post | SNAP
Racism in Public Benefit Programs: Where Do We Go from Here? 
May 13, 2020 | Blog Post | SNAP
Subsidized Employment Must Be a Part of the Recovery
May 8, 2020 | News Clip | Income and Work Supports
Low-Income Americans Could Get Cash Aid Under New Senate Plan
May 8, 2020 | Blog Post | TANF
The Rainy Day is Here: During COVID-19, States Should Increase Emergency Assistance

MORE FROM TANF ➝

Stay Informed

States want to coordinate TANF and WIOA
Low-income parents who participate in TANF need better, more accessible job training and support services to obtain family-sustaining work. To accomplish this, it’s important to coordinate TANF’s employment programs with federal workforce development services under WIOA. States are very interested in coordinating their programs, but progress has been slow.
Read more:
Coordinating TANF & WIOA: High Interest, Slow Progress During Early Days of WIOA

Publications  Fact Sheets | Presentations | Journal Articles | Reports/Briefs | Testimony/Comments

Report/Brief | February 28, 2021
TANF 101: Work Participation Rate
Report/Brief | January 31, 2021
No More Double Punishments: Lifting the Ban on SNAP and TANF for People with Prior Felony Drug Convictions
Report/Brief | December 1, 2020
Fight Poverty, Hunger, and Health Care Needs by Removing Barriers to Program Access
Report/Brief | June 15, 2020
Medicaid Financing: Dangers of Block Grants and Per Capita Caps Summary and Full Report
Presentation/Webinar | April 2, 2020
WEBINAR: Implications of COVID-19 Response Provisions and Public Benefits

View all TANF publications ➝

Our Team

Ashley Burnside
Ashley Burnside
Policy Analyst, Income and Work Supports
Elizabeth Lower-Basch
Elizabeth Lower-Basch
Director of Income and Work Supports
Parker Gilkesson
Parker Gilkesson
Policy Analyst, Income and Work Supports
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