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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF)
Under the welfare reform legislation of 1996, TANF replaced the pro- grams previously known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS), and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program.
TANF provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families. This assistance is administered by States, Territories, and Tribes, which are given the flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs using the federal funds granted to them. TANF grants are available to the governments of all States, Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and federally recognized Indian Tribes.
TANF is designed to help those who receive assistance from the pro- gram to transition into jobs and become self-supporting, thus turning welfare into a program of temporary assistance. The major purposes of TANF include assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; and reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage. To carry out its mis- sion, the TANF Bureau
• develops legislative, regulatory, and budgetary proposals
• oversees the progress of approved activities
• provides leadership and coordination for welfare reform
• provides leadership and linkages with other agencies on welfare reform issues
Assistance for single parents can include any or all of the following: a monthly cash allowance, Food Stamps, and a state medical insurance program. There are requirements that need to be met to receive this assistance. These requirements may include enrolling in a trade school or college program so that you can transition into a job that can sup- port you and your children, and being assigned a caseworker who will meet with you every month to encourage you to keep attending school
The Office of Family Assistance