H.R. 2397: Targeting TANF to Families in Need Act

This bill, titled the Targeting TANF to Families in Need Act, proposes changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under the Social Security Act. The main points of the bill are outlined below:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to ensure that TANF funds are specifically directed to families who are in greater need of financial assistance.

Income Threshold for Eligibility

One of the significant changes introduced by the bill is the establishment of a specific income threshold for families to qualify for TANF assistance:

• States receiving grants under the TANF program must use the funds exclusively to assist families whose income is less than twice the federal poverty guidelines.
• This means that any assistance provided under TANF will only be available to families earning below a certain financial limit, which is updated regularly by the federal government.

Implementation Timeline

The changes proposed in this bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2026. This allows time for states to adjust their TANF programs and ensure compliance with the new income threshold requirement.

Expansion of Support Services

The bill emphasizes the need for states to focus on providing assistance and services to those families who meet the defined criteria rather than broadly distributing funds without specific income considerations.

Impact on States

State governments will need to adjust their current TANF policies to align with the new requirements set out in this bill, which may involve re-evaluating how funds are allocated and identifying eligible families under the new income guidelines.

Relevant Companies