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GAO-12-1028R 1 (2012-09-19)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacgnr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: L GAO Accountablty *Integrity * Reliability United States Government Accountability Office Washington, DC 20548 September 19, 2012 The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States Senate The Honorable Dave Camp Chairman Committee on Ways and Means House of Representatives Subject: Waivers Related to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides federal funding to states for both traditional welfare cash assistance as well as a variety of other benefits and services to meet the needs of low-income families and children.1 In December 2011, 1.9 million low- income families nationwide received cash assistance through states' TANF programs. While states have some flexibility in implementing and administering their state TANF programs, there are numerous federal requirements and guidelines that states must meet. For example, under section 402 of the Social Security Act, in order to be eligible to receive TANF funds, a state must submit to HHS a written plan outlining, among other things, how it will implement various aspects of its TANF program.2 More specifically, under section 402(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act, the written plan must outline how the state will ensure that TANF recipients engage in work activities.3 Under section 407 of the Social Security Act, states must also ensure that a specified percentage of their TANF recipients engage in work activities as defined by federal law.4 Compared with its predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), TANF increased the percentage of welfare recipients expected to prepare for work, imposed stronger sanctions against individuals who did not participate as required by states, and placed time limits on the receipt of cash assistance for many TANF recipients, among other changes. In its July 12, 2012, Information Memorandum,5 HHS notified states of HHS' willingness to exercise its waiver authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act.6 Under section 1 See 42 U.S.C. § 601. 2 Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 602. 3 Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(1)(A)(iii). 4 Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 607. 5 Transmittal No. TANF-ACF-IM-2012-03. 6 Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 1315. GAO-12-1028R TANF Waivers Page 1

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