Miller, Estes unveil legislation incentivizing employers to hire TANF recipients

U.S. Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV) and Ron Estes (R-KS) on March 31 reintroduced the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, which incentivizes employers to hire recipients from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Specifically, the legislation would encourage employer-led partnerships with state and local agencies to hire TANF recipients and provide job skills training in an effort to bolster the American workforce, according to a release from Rep. Miller’s office.

“My main priorities are creating new jobs, diversifying our economy, and supporting our business community,” Rep. Miller said. “We should always strive to provide the best resources for those entering the workforce to grow and be successful. By incentivizing employers to hire TANF recipients, new employees will receive on-the-job training and valuable experience to continue their careers. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and help get more Americans back to work.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Family Assistance, the TANF program provides states and territories with flexibility in operating programs designed to help low-income families with children reach economic self-sufficiency.

The legislators added that the bill would not only accomplish the goals of helping TANF recipients find employment, but would also provide employers with available workers.

“The Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act will help get people back to work and make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the U.S. economy,” Rep. Estes said. “This bill fulfills the primary goal of TANF by supporting welfare recipients and connecting them with jobs, apprenticeships and training. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this common-sense legislation.”

Under this legislation, the TANF Contingency Fund would be used to subsidize no more than 50 percent of the employee’s wages, while the other 50 percent would be provided by the employer or state and local funds, Rep. Miller’s office stated. States will be required to report on the program’s outcomes.

Reps. Miller and Estes first introduced the legislation in 2019.