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The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (Pub. L. 104-193), as amended, is the welfare reform law that established the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF is a block grant program designed to make dramatic reforms to the nation's welfare system by moving recipients into work and turning welfare into a program of temporary assistance. TANF replaced the national welfare program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the related programs known as the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program.

Questions and Answers: Archive TANF -- Caseload Reduction Credit Reports

This Program Instruction (PI) reminds States that providing recurring basic income supports constitutes “assistance” and clarifies the meaning of “nonrecurrent, short-term benefits.”

This PI was originally issued on May 19, 2008. We have re-issued this PI because we have changed the effective date to October 1, 2008 (FY 2009).

This Program Instruction reminds States of the change in the pro-family MOE claiming provision in the final TANF regulations effective October 1, 2008 and published in 73 FR, 6772, February 5, 2008

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 eliminates AFDC's open-ended entitlement and creates a block grant for states to provide time-limited cash assistance for needy families, with work requirements for most recipients. The law also makes far-reaching changes to child care, the Child Support Enforcement Program, benefits for legal immigrants, the Food Stamp Program, and SSI for children. Modifications to the child nutrition program and reductions in the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) are also included.

Questions and Answers: General Data Questions on TANF Program Policy

Questions and Answers:  TANF Data Report (TDR) – Section One

Questions and Answers:  SSP MOE Data Report

Questions and Answers:  Claims Resolution Act of 2010 - Reporting Requirements