United States: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance is a federal-state program—the federal government sets basic rules for administering TANF cash assistance, but states have responsibility for developing their programs and income eligibility limits and benefit levels vary widely across the states. [More detail...]
National Participant & Spending Data
Participants
Number of recipients
| Number of recipients (families)1 | 2.0 million families (FY 2004)2 |
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| Number of recipients (children)3 | 3.6 million children (FY 2004)2 |
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| Number of recipients (adults)3 | 1.2 million adults (FY 2004)2 |
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Percent of caseload that is child-only
| Percent of caseload that is child-only4 | 42% (FY 2004) |
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Spending
Total spending
| Total spending (state and federal)5 | $10.4 billion (FY 2004) |
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Data Notes and Sources
Data on TANF Cash Assistance were compiled by NCCP in January 2006. Some state policy decisions may have changed since these data were collected.
- Figure reflects average monthly caseload.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Administration for Children and Families, "Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Average Monthly Number of Families, FY 2004," http://www.acf.hhs.gov (accessed December 13, 2005).
- Figure reflects average monthly caseload.
- Figure reflects average monthly caseload.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Administration for Children and Families, "Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Average Monthly Number of Recipients, Adults and Children, FY 2004," http://www.acf.hhs.gov (accessed December 13, 2005).
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Administration for Children and Families, "Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Average Monthly Number of Families, FY 2004," http://www.acf.hhs.gov (accessed December 13, 2005).
- Figure reflects expenditures on "basic assistance" only; spending on child care, transportation, training, and other benefits not included. Basic assistance is designed to meet on-going, basic needs and is provided primarily in the form of cash, but may include other forms, such as vouchers.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Administration for Children and Families, "TANF Financial Data: Table F - Combined Spending of Federal and States Funds Expended in FY 2004 Through the Fourth Quarter," http://www.acf.dhhs.gov (accessed December 13, 2005).
