Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (93.558)

Program

93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title IV, Part A, 42 U.S.C 601 et seq.

Program Number

93.558

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide grants to States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribes operating their own Tribal TANF programs to assist needy families with children so that children can be cared for in their own homes; to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; to reduce and prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribes operating their own TANF programs have broad flexibility to use the grant funds in any manner that meets the purposes of the program (including providing low-income households with assistance in meeting home heating and cooling costs) and in ways that the State, Territory, and Tribe was authorized to use funds received under the predecessor Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS), and Emergency Assistance (EA) programs. States and Territories may also transfer a limited portion of their assistance grant funds to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Programs. Not more than 15 percent of any State grant may be spent on administrative costs, exclusive of certain computerization and information technology expenses. Cash grants, work opportunities, and other services are made directly to needy families with children. For Tribal programs, ACF will negotiate a limitation on administrative costs for the first year of the program's operation not to exceed 35 percent, for the second year of the program's operation not to exceed 30 percent, and then for the third and subsequent years of the program's operation not to exceed 25 percent. For the TANF program, there are certain prohibitions, restrictions, and limitations on the provision of assistance. For example, families may only receive Federally-funded assistance for five years. In addition, Federal funds may not be used to provide medical services, unless it is pre-pregnancy family planning services (Tribes, however, may use Federal funds for medical services if they are job-related).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

In general, all States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and all federally-recognized Tribes in the lower 48 States and 13 specified entities in Alaska are eligible. State and local agencies and Tribes that operate TANF programs must do so under plans determined to be complete or approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). For Contingency Funds, all States and the District of Columbia are eligible if they are determined to be a "needy State" by satisfying either an unemployment trigger or a food stamp trigger. Territories and Tribes are not eligible for Contingency Funds.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Needy families with children, as determined eligible by the State, Territory, or Tribe in accordance with the State or Tribal plan submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Credentials/Documentation

Federal funds go to the State, Territory, or Tribal agency certified by the Chief Executive Officer. Needy families must meet State or Tribal eligibility requirements. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Each State, Territory, and the District of Columbia must develop a State plan and include the certifications signed by the Executive Officer (Governor). Applicants must consult with local governments and private organizations and provide them 45 days to comment on the plan. The State plan and certifications must be submitted to the Secretary of HHS. Tribes may apply to the Secretary to receive funds and to administer the TANF block grant. Tribes would submit a 3-year family assistance plan. The Secretary, in consultation with the Tribe, would set program requirements and time-limits for receipt of welfare-related services, consistent with the purposes of the program and economic conditions/resources of each Tribe. Tribes should contact the OFA Regional TANF Program Manager for further Tribal plan submittal procedures. For Contingency Funds, each State must request these funds monthly for each month they meet either the unemployment or food stamp triggers. For Supplemental Grants, there is no application. Supplemental Grants are awarded annually and issued quarterly to the States (in number 17) with exceptionally high population growth in the early 1990s, historic (1994) welfare grants per poor person lower than 35 percent of the national average, or a combination of above average population growth and below average historic welfare grants per poor person.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Award Procedure

Once a plan is determined complete, or in the case of a Tribe the plan is approved, by the DHHS, Family Assistance Grants are awarded in quarterly payments. Supplemental Grants are also awarded in quarterly payments. Contingency Fund awards will be made monthly.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes implement their assistance programs according to their State and Tribal plans. The Secretary does not have authority to approve or disapprove a State plan, only to determine its completeness. Tribal plans are subject to approval by the Secretary. For Contingency Funds, approval/disapproval will be from 30 to 60 days after receipt of the request for funds.

Appeals

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes facing an adverse action by the Secretary may appeal under both administrative and judicial procedures. In addition, States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes must provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State or Tribal administrative or appeal process.

Renewals

States, Territories, and the District of Columbia must periodically (every 2 or 3 years) renew their funding status by submitting their TANF plan. Tribes must renew their funding status every 3 years. For Contingency Funds, requests for additional funding must be made monthly.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title 45 CFR, Chapter 2, Part 260; 286.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes are awarded their assistance grants in quarterly payments. They may reserve grant moneys, without fiscal year limitation, to provide any allowable benefits and services that are consistant with the purposes of the TANF program. With certain exceptions, most families are limited to no more than 5 years of assistance under the Federal grant. Tribes have the flexibility to establish time limits on receipt of assistance. For Contingency Funds, grant awards are issued monthly to States meeting the eligibility criteria stipulated under Section 101. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes operating their own Tribal TANF programs are required to collect and report to the Secretary on a quarterly basis case record information on the families receiving assistance. They are also required to report administrative costs and overhead expenditures on programs for needy families, participation by noncustodial parents in work activities, and transitional services provided to former recipients. They may be required to report child poverty information annually in accordance with the methodology the Secretary has established by regulation. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. Quarterly financial reports. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits shall be conducted by the Inspector General under Chapter 75 of Title 31, United States Code. If a State or Territory is found to have used funds from the State Family Assistance Grant in violation of the statute, the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to them for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by that same amount. For Tribes, the Secretary will have the ability to maintain program funding accountability consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and the requirements of the Single Audit Act of 1984 and OMB Circular A-133.

Records

States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribes must maintain records containing information the Secretary may require by regulation.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants were made to 50 States, the District of Columbia, 3 Territories, and 59 Tribes. Fiscal Year 2009: Grants will be made to 50 States, the District of Columbia, 3 Territories, and a projected 67 Tribes. Fiscal Year 2010: Grants will be made to 50 States, the District of Columbia, 3 Territories, and a projected 70 Tribes.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1552-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $77,008,000; FY 09 est $77,875,000; FY 10 est $77,875,000 - (Territory Assistance Grants and Matching Grants). (Formula Grants) FY 08 $319,450,000; FY 09 est $319,450,000; FY 10 est $319,450,000 - (Supplemental Grants for Population Increases). (Formula Grants) FY 08 $1,319,321,000; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0 - (Contingency Funds--estimated ending balance). (Formula Grants) FY 08 $16,486,688,000; FY 09 est $16,488,667,000; FY 10 est $16,488,667,000 - (State and Tribal Family Assistance Grants).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

State and Tribal Family Assistance grants are estimated from $77,195 to $3,659,875,042 with an average of $149,896,973.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Final Rule was originally published in the Federal Register on April 12, 1999 (Vol. 64. No. 69). Publication of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 was published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2008 (Vol. 73, No. 24) to incorporate changes resulting from reauthorization of the TANF program. Program rules for State programs can be found at 45 CFR Parts 260 through 265. The Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2000 (Vol. 65, No. 34). Tribal rules can be found at 45 CFR Part 286.

Related Programs

93.594 Tribal Work Grants; 93.595 Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies; 93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund; 93.667 Social Services Block Grant

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT):

Mary Ann Higgins, Acting Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Boston Regional Office, JFK Building, Rm. 2000, Boston, MA 02203. Telephone: (617) 565-1020.

Region II (NJ, NY):

Joanne Krudys, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, New York Regional Office, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 4114, New York, NY 10278. Telephone: (212) 264-2890, ext. 127.

Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV):

Eileen Friedman, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Philadelphia Regional Office, 150 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 864, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-3499. Telephone: (215) 861-4058.

Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN):

Darrel McGhee, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Atlanta Regional Office, 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 4M60, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8909. Telephone: (404) 562-2936.

Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI):

Steven Krasner, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Chicago Regional Office, 233 N. Michigan Ave. - Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 353-3265.

Region VI (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX):

Larry Brendel, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Dallas Regional Office, 1301 Young Street, Room 945, Dallas, TX 75202. Telephone: (214) 767-6236.

Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE):

Gary Allen, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Kansas City Regional Office, Rm. 276, 601 E 12 St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Telephone: (816) 426-2236.

Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)

Felicia Gaither, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Denver Regional Office, 1961 Stout Street, 9th Floor, Denver, CO 80294. Telephone: (303) 844-1483.

Region IX (AZ, CA, HI, NV):

Dan Baker, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, San Francisco Regional Office, 90 7th Street, Ninth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. Telephone: (415) 437-8450.

Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA):

Frank Shields, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Seattle Regional Office, 2201 Sixth Avenue, M/S 74, Seattle, WA 98121. Telephone (206) 615-2569.

Headquarters Office

Robert M. Shelbourne Office of the Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 5th Floor East, Aerospace Building, 370 L�Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: rshelbourne@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 401-5150 Fax: (202) 401-5554

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.