Most States Meet TANF Work Participation Rates

On February 17, 2010, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released data on state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work participation rates for federal fiscal year (FY) 2008. The data revealed that 10 states and two territories failed to meet one or both of their required FY 2008 work participation rates. This represents a slight improvement over FY 2007, when 13 states and three territories failed to meet one or both of the required work participation rates. While failing to meet these rates can result in financial penalties for states, there are several courses of action that states can undertake to avoid fines.