Summary
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-31) extended Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through fiscal year (FY) 2018. However, it included a new set-aside, which reduces state block grant allotments by $55 million annually in FY 2017 and FY 2018.
In addition, Congress and the president have proposed changes to TANF. The House recently passed legislation to create a subsidized employment demonstration program for TANF recipients and transfer $100 million from the TANF contingency fund to pay for it. The president’s FY 2018 budget proposed to eliminate the TANF contingency fund altogether, and reduce the TANF block grant by -10%.