The "Restoring Temporary to TANF Act" mandates states to allocate a minimum of 25% of their federal TANF grants towards core work activities, effective October 1, 2026.
Blake Moore
Representative
UT-1
The "Restoring Temporary to TANF Act" mandates that states allocate a minimum of 25% of their federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grants towards core work activities. These activities encompass work supports, education, training, apprenticeships, short-term benefits, work activities as defined in section 407(d), and case management for individual responsibility plans. This requirement is set to begin on October 1, 2026.
New Bill Mandates 25% of Federal TANF Funds for Work Activities Starting 2026
This bill, the "Restoring Temporary to TANF Act," directs states on how to spend a chunk of their federal welfare dollars. Starting October 1, 2026, it requires that at least 25% of the federal money received through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program must be used for specific 'core work purposes'. The goal is to dedicate a significant portion of these funds towards activities designed to move recipients into the workforce.
Shifting the Spending Strategy
So, what counts as 'core work purposes'? The bill lists several categories: direct work supports, education and job training programs, apprenticeships, certain short-term benefits tied to work, defined work activities, and case management focused on getting individuals job-ready. Essentially, states will have less flexibility with this quarter of their TANF grant, as it must be channeled into these employment-focused areas. This gives states a couple of years to figure out how to adjust their budgets and programs to meet this new 25% threshold mandated by Section 2.
The Balancing Act: Jobs vs. Other Needs
This shift could mean more resources for people actively seeking job skills or needing support to enter or re-enter the workforce. Think more funding for vocational training or programs that help manage the path to employment. However, the flip side is that mandating spending in one area might mean less available for others. TANF funds often cover a wide range of needs for low-income families, potentially including things like emergency cash assistance, childcare subsidies, or transportation help that aren't directly part of a 'work activity'. For instance, a parent might need stable childcare before they can even start job training – how states balance these needs against the new 25% work mandate will be crucial. The definition of 'core work activities' is also fairly broad, so the actual impact could look different from state to state depending on how they interpret and implement this requirement.