USING THE TANF EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUND IN ARRA TO HELP POOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN Select Committee on Federal Stabilization Funds March 12, 2009 Celia Hagert, Senior Policy Analyst

The Federal TANF block grant The federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant is a flexible funding stream for states to provide a wide range of services aimed at increasing family self-sufficiency through job preparation, work, and marriage

The Federal TANF block grant TANF block grant has provided Texas with $486 million annually since Texas has a “maintenance of effort” (MOE) requirement = $251.4 million. Our basic TANF block grant is the seventh-largest source of federal funds in the state budget.

The Federal TANF Block Grant Texas uses TANF to provide cash assistance, child care, and employment services to extremely poor families with children. Families that receive cash assistance are subject to time limits on federally funded benefits, work participation requirements, and parenting/conduct rules. Texas also uses the block grant to pay for child protective services and other programs across multiple state agencies. Only 6% of the federal block grant in FY09 is used to pay for cash assistance to poor families.

Federal TANF Spending

Historical Federal TANF Spending

Historical TANF caseloads

TANF in Texas Caseload declines have occurred due to work requirements, time limits, and strict penalties (“sanctions”) for not meeting program requirements Fewer than 112,000 Texans receive TANF cash assistance; over three-fourths (86%)are children. Net income cannot exceed $188 a month for a family of three to qualify. Recipients receive a monthly cash grant, child care, and employment services. The average monthly grant is $208 or less for a family of three.

TANF Funds in ARRA ARRA provides $52.7 million in supplemental TANF block grant funds to Texas in With these funds, there is a $108 million balance in not-yet-budgeted TANF federal TANF funds. ARRA also provides access to up to $243 million in a new TANF emergency contingency fund.

How the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund Works States are eligible to draw down additional TANF federal funds in 2009 and 2010, up to 50% of their base block grant over the 2-year period = $243 million. Funding is provided at a 20/80 state/federal match. Match is available for increased expenditures (using ’07 or ’08 as base year) in three areas: –monthly cash grants, –short-term, non-recurrent benefits, and –subsidized employment. To draw down the full $243 million, Texas would have to spend $60 million more in these areas.

How the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund Works One caveat: to qualify for match in first area (monthly cash grants cash grants), Texas TANF caseload must increase over 2007/8 levels. Since caseloads not expected to increase in Texas, state would not be eligible for reimbursement of increased cash grant costs. However, caseload increase requirement does NOT apply to increased spending in other two areas: short- term non-recurrent benefits and subsidized employment. Thus, emergency contingency fund could be used to provide TANF recipients with one-time boost in assistance, or to increase the opportunities for subsidized employment.

Potential Uses of Emergency Contingency Fund Increase “One-Time TANF” payment (existing $1,000 “diversion” payment to families who qualify for but choose not to get on TANF. Increase supplemental grandparent payment (currently $1,000/year to grandparents over 45 caring for children on TANF). Provide a one-time additional payment to everyone on TANF (such as by increasing the current $30 back-to- school payment) Provide more subsidized employment opportunities to TANF adults struggling to find work. HB 2625 by Rep. Naishtat increases one-time payments

Use of This Presentation The Center for Public Policy Priorities encourages you to reproduce and distribute these slides, which were developed for use in making public presentations. If you reproduce these slides, please give appropriate credit to CPPP. The data presented here may become outdated. For the most recent information or to sign up for our free Updates, visit © CPPP Center for Public Policy Priorities 900 Lydia Street Austin, TX P 512/ F 512/