The Temporary Aid to Needy Families program (TANF) was designed to help families with low incomes with minor children by providing cash assistance, particularly while parents are seeking employment. However, states are allowed to spend TANF funds for a variety of other activities (for example, administrative costs, child care and pre-K programs, child welfare services, and work support activities) in addition to directly supporting families.
Certain work-related activities are required in order for each state to meet the annual work participation rates, which are determined by the federal government. States can determine exemptions that can be made for single-parent unit households with different household circumstances.
This indicator documents whether a state exempts a single parent “head of unit” over 21 years old from TANF work-related activity if caring for a child less than 12 months old. The source document contains details about lengths and conditions of exemptions. For some states, the exemption is only valid for a single child. Policies are current as of July 2020.
Source:
Dehry, I., Knowles, S., Shantz, K., Minton, S., and Giannarelli, L. (2022). Welfare Rules Databook: State TANF Policies as of July 2020, OPRE Report 2021-147, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/welfare-rules-databook-state-policies-july-2020