5 FUNDAMENTALS OF TANF

February 21st, 2012

On the national level, there continues to be discussion over the ability of social assistance programs to insulate families from unemployment, underemployment and periods of economic hardship during the economic downturn. A recent Mississippi Public Broadcasting segment explains that many areas of Mississippi have seen increased enrollment in SNAP (formerly food stamps) among families that have never before applied for benefits.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) likewise provides emergency assistance to families with children to cover basics like rent, transportation, food or utilities. The TANF program supplies temporary cash welfare to very low-income families with children that are facing a financial emergency. Today’s post highlights key information on TANF eligibility, enrollment and benefits.

5 FUNDAMENTALS OF TANF IN MISSISSIPPI

Eligibility. In Mississippi, a family with one adult and two children earning less than $458 per month is eligible for TANF assistance. Eligible families must meet work and job search requirements during their participation in TANF. Like most states, Mississippi has a 60-month lifetime limit on family eligibility for TANF benefits.

Enrollment. In late 2011, 12,272 families received support through TANF. Very low-income children make up the bulk of TANF recipients, representing 71% of the overall caseload.

TANF and Poverty. In 2010, 643,880 residents lived in poverty while 25,301 were enrolled in TANF. The TANF caseload equaled 3.9% of the state’s residents living in poverty. Nationally, the number of individuals receiving TANF is the equivalent of 9.5% of individuals living below the poverty line.

TANF and the State Budget. In FY 2010, TANF payments represented 0.1% of the state budget. Mississippi distributed $20 million in TANF support in FY 2010, the bulk of which comes from federal funds.

Benefit Levels. Fourteen states have TANF benefit levels below $300 per month for a family of three. Mississippi is one of these states, and as the chart below shows, Mississippi’s benefit level for a family of three is $170 a month, the lowest in the nation.

The recession brought an uptick in recipients as families turned to TANF during periods of unemployment. However, TANF benefits now cover a smaller share of critical family needs, such as housing or utilities than they did in the late 1990s. As the state and nation continue to face a strained budget environment, it remains important that resources are protected from programs like SNAP, TANF or child care vouchers.

These programs and others that make up the social safety net are instrumental for many families struggling to make ends meet while working hard across Mississippi.

Author: Sarah Welker, Policy Analyst
Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Urban Institute’s Welfare Rules Data Book.