TANF work supports emphasized under Moore bill

Legislation sponsored on Feb. 23 by U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) would amend current law to require that states set aside federal funds expended under the program of block grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to bolster the program’s work requirements.

Specifically, the Restoring Temporary to TANF Act, H.R. 7441, would require that states set aside 25 percent of federal TANF dollars to spend on core work activities, including: work supports, education and training, apprenticeships, non-recurrent short-term benefits, work activities, and case management for TANF individual responsibility plans, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Moore’s staff.

“The Restoring Temporary to TANF Act is a step in the right direction to restore economic freedom, strengthen our economy, and get Americans back to work,” Rep. Moore said.

The TANF block grant program was intended to provide temporary aid for single parent households and promote independence through work, job preparation, and training. However, program dollars have been allocated via direct checks without adequate support and workforce training that would allow families to no longer rely on TANF, states the bill summary. 

“Once again, Utah is a model for how we responsibly spend our federal funding allocations,” said Rep. Moore. “Utah’s current prioritization of work supports has allowed our state to make significant investments with federal TANF dollars and empower families to find independence and thrive.”

Under H.R. 7441, TANF grant requirements would only apply to federal dollars and leave state funds to the discretion of each state, the summary says.

H.R. 7441 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.