tanf presentation
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF):A look at changes in the District
HyeSook Chung, Executive DirectorDC Action for Children
Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative Annual ConferenceHuman and Social Service Forecast workshop
April 9, 2011
In the District…• Nearly one in three children live in poverty.
• The poverty rate for black children has risen dramatically in recent years to 43% (was 31% in 2007).
• In 2009, 30,000 black children lived in poverty.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: American Community Survey data
Child Poverty and Education: Hart & Risley, 1995
TANF: the Basics
• TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Direct cash assistance to low-income families with dependent children, including work supports
• Replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
What’s changing in the District?
April 1: Families who have received TANF for over 60 months will see a reduction in their benefit checks.
Source: D.C. Department of Human Services press release, Feb. 15, 2011
Exceptions to TANF reductions
The following clients are not impacted by the 60-month reductions:
• POWER Clients –locally funded program for clients who have a disability that prevents them from participating in work activities.
• Child-Only Cases – these are cases where a relative is caring for the children. The parents are not in the home.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients – these clients are not recipients of TANF, only the children receive a TANF benefit.
Source: D.C. Department of Human Services press release, Feb. 15, 2011
Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Jan. 2011
Nationally, TANF cases are rising at a much slower rate than SNAP cases.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
TANFSNAP
In DC: During the recession, TANF cases increased by 4% and SNAP cases increased by 9%.
Source: Income Maintenance Administration, D.C. Dept. of Human Services
Num
ber o
f cas
es
In Ward 8, during the recession, TANF cases increased by 7 percent while SNAP cases increased by nearly 10 percent.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
TANFSNAP
Source: Income Maintenance Administration, D.C. Dept. of Human Services
Num
ber o
f cas
es
Poverty in early childhood reduces a child’s income potential over his or her lifetime.
Children in poverty whose parents do not receive income supports are less likely to
succeed in school and life, and more likely to end up dependent on government assistance.
Cutting TANF now will only perpetuate the cycle of poverty in our community.
