Summary of TANF final rules

Earlier this month, the final rules implementing changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, made by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, were published in the Federal Register. These new rules will be effective October 1, 2008. CLASP has written a document summarizing the final rules and changes to the TANF program. The summary details changes in the areas of:

• Counting education and training toward participation rates, including rules around counting post-secondary education, basic education, and ESL classes;
• Serving individuals with disabilities and other barriers to participation, including the definition of a work-eligible individual; and
• Job search and job readiness, including counting of weeks towards statutory limits and other counting issues.

The final rules also detail allowable expenditures and other spending issues.