Developing programs and policies to provide for vulnerable children, youth, and families
December is a time when many families come together to celebrate and create cherished memories. However, it can also bring financial challenges, and lower-income families, those reliant on monthly child support payments and those receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), may be disproportionately affected during this time. TANF is a federally funded, state-administered program designed to help families in need.
Families receiving TANF often live below the poverty level, and TANF benefits can be low, making it difficult for families to meet daily expenses. When families are enrolled in TANF and also receive child support, some States withhold a portion of child support payments as reimbursement for TANF funds they received. This puts an undue burden on families, especially during the holidays.
The Administration for Children and Family’s Office of Child Support Services partners with child support agencies to help them develop, manage, and operate their programs according to federal law using effective child support tools. And they’re doing good work—in 2023, 97 percent of child support collected went to families. And many States, about half, have enacted legislation to pass through child support without reducing the family’s TANF assistance.
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Implementing pass-through more widely will help get closer to providing 100 percent of child support payments to families. Other strategies that can help move to a supportive system include addressing arrears and prioritizing concrete supports like job training programs. But more can be done. Federal and State offices are collaborating to enact legislation to allocate TANF funds to programs to assist struggling families, support children, and encourage workforce development.
We’re committed to supporting our clients to enact policies and programs that ensure families are able to receive the support they need to thrive in their communities. Learn more about the innovative solutions we provide that assist our clients at the federal, state, and local levels in transforming practices and improving outcomes.