The New Economic Recovery Law: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Resources

The Children’s Defense Fund has gathered useful materials from federal agencies, congressional sources, and advocacy and other organizations that can help you become familiar with the Recovery Act funding and program activities available in states and communities. The New Economic Recovery Law: Resources to Help Children and the Economy provides links to these materials. This section of the guide provides information and resources for TANF and will be updated frequently to provide the latest and most helpful resources. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Departmental and Congressional Organizations

• Congressional Research Service: "The Potential Role of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant in the Recession," February 24, 2009. This brief highlights the risks and opportunities posed by TANF for states to help disadvantaged families during an economic downturn and mentions briefly some of the Recovery Act changes intended to relieve pressure temporarily on the program. 

Advocacy and Other Organizations

• National Conference of State Legislatures: “Human Services Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." This brief summarizes the human needs investments and provides information on TANF funding available for states (pp. 3-4), as well as funding for other programs affecting children and families.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "Overview of the TANF Provisions in the Economic Recovery Act." This brief identifies the maximum amount of new funds that a state can draw down in TANF and how the funds can be spent.