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HHS Issues Proposed TANF Regulations
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued proposed regulations on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The proposed regulations deal with TANF requirements, time limits, state penalties, data collection and reporting requirements. They are available in the Federal Register of Nov. 20, 1997 (pp.62124-62231) and on the Internet at www.acf.dhhs.gov/news/welfare.
The TANF program replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children as the nation's primary welfare program in 1996. Under TANF, states determine the eligibility of needy families and the benefits of services those families will receive. States must use the TANF funds consistent with the provisions of the 1996 law (P.L. 104-193) which include work requirements, time limits on assistance and other features.
The proposed regulations describe how HHS intends to administer 14 specific state penalties authorized by the law, enable states to obtain credit for meeting work participation rates, oversee state operation of continuing welfare waiver demonstrations, permit separate state programs to serve families solely with state funds, and accomplish other tasks under the law. The regulations also encourage states to adopt the Family Violence Option (FVO) in the law, and they make clear that HHS does not intend to penalize states financially for granting good cause waivers under the FVO.
HHS has announced scheduled 1998 releases for other significant TANF-related regulations on topics including child care, tribal TANF plans, and the out-of-wedlock bonus fund.
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