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.
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.
