Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

In February 2006, President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), which reauthorized the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant through 2010.  On June 28, 2006, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the interim final regulations regarding the TANF program. These regulations required Washington to make major changes to the WorkFirst program in order to meet strict new federal participation standards and avoid paying penalties. The TANF Program Final Rule became available February 5, 2008.

Washington State's TANF Plan

Federal law requires states to submit plans describing their TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Washington State TANF Plan is a part of the WorkForce Innovation and Opportunity Act plan titled Talent and Prosperity for All. The 2024-2025 WIOA draft plan has recently been approved. You can access it here: State Workforce Plan | Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board or you can access the TANF only portion of the plan here. Washington's TANF Certifications can be accessed here and the approval letter from HHS is also available here.

TANF Caseload Reduction Reports

Washington must annually submit a Caseload Reduction Report to the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, which is used to determine the TANF work participation rates for each federal fiscal year.  In accordance with CFR Section 261.41(b)(6), these reports are made available for public review and comment period, usually in December of each year.  After the public review and comment period ends, these reports are removed from the WorkFirst TANF website and are no longer available for public review.