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For example, if the Tribe has or wants to implement an employee morale/cash incentive based on actual employee performance then TANF funds may be used to pay the incentives for TANF employees up to the percentage of effort they work on the TANF program. A State may not use Federal TANF funds to satisfy a cost-sharing or matching requirement of another Federal program unless specifically authorized by Federal law. States must use the same eligibility criteria and the same duration for the assistance and services contained in the approved plan. A23: States may set up reserve accounts for this purpose using State funds, but the funds placed in a reserve account would not count as an MOE expenditure until the developer draws them down. They may draw down the Federal funds only when the family's rent payments are subsidized.Relatedly, the fact that the State makes a one-time payment to the developer does not affect the treatment of the benefits under the definition of assistance. Please note that the use of federal TANF funds as a match for these HUD homeless programs is permissible so long as the HUD appropriation language, which allows for this matching arrangement, is in force. Moreover, the parent or caretaker must expect that the child will return home during the specified period, again subject to any good cause exceptions. The TANF Sample Manual A13: We have not spoken to this issue in the regulation, preamble, or other policy guidance. These principles are also outlined in the federal regulations at 45 CFR 260.30 and 260.33 and the definition of what constitutes an Expenditure. Since these intercepted funds are being used to repay a debt owed to the state, they do not constitute an expenditure of federal TANF or MOE funds. Part 225 Appendix B contains several applicable restrictions on the use of Federal funds with respect to equipment and construction costs. 64, No. If the State keeps the TANF funds segregated from its CCDF funds, TANF requirements would apply, but the CCDF programmatic rules would not apply (i.e., the requirements of the CCDBG statute and rules apply to activities funded with CCDF funds). A5: A child must be living with a parent or adult relative in order to receive: (1) "assistance"; or (2) any MOE-funded benefits or services. PDF TANF Maintenance of Effort Requirement - Center for Law and Social Policy If you need help or have concerns about your TANF case, contact the PY YOEME office nearest your location. For Federal TANF funds, the period of temporary absence must be consistent with the definition of "temporary absence" developed by the State pursuant to section 408(a)(10) of the Social Security Act. In this case, the value of the rental subsidies supported by the TANF funds would be assistance because they represent ongoing support of the families basic needs. Q18: May States spend Federal TANF funds on health insurance coverage, e.g., for employee health premiums? Some of the Federal grant rules that should be considered in the formulation of a summer jobs for low-income youth program include: Q11: May a State use TANF funds to help needy families overcome the "digital divide" by providing access to computers and the Internet? Interest costs related to capital leases are allowable to the extent they meet the criteria at 2 CFR 225, App. Collection of Information Requirements Based on our initial assessment of Breakthrough Devices applying the characteristics we . The reading of the TANF statute and regulations is that the four month limitation on non-recurrent, short-term benefits applies to TANF/MOE-funded support and does not encompass services covered by other federal funding streams such as FEMA or HUD. Q37: Are employee morale expenditures, including cash incentives to employees, an allowable use of TANF funds? premise includes the requirements for these individuals to comply for three days of Jobs Program requirements prior to TPEP cash assistance approval. Given the severe revenue shortfalls faced by many states as a result of the recession, many states are re-evaluating their use of TANF and MOE funds. A43: No. In the same vein, a State may treat costs for training of case managers or for other training directly associated with providing program services as program costs under its cost allocation plan. Q7: Is ACF going to work with the auditors to convey the same message about funding flexibility as the TANF agencies are receiving? A12: The original Handbook consisted of seven parts (designated I through VII), four supplements (designated A through D), and an undesignated supplement for "Medical Assistance for the Aged." According to 45 CFR 263.2(b), MOE funds may only be used to help eligible family members -- namely, a financially eligible ("needy") family that consists, at a minimum, of a child living with a relative or a pregnant woman. B, section 14 provides that costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any costs directly associated with such costs (such as tickets to shows or sports events, meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities) are unallowable. Examples of unallowable uses of TANF funds for food service expenses related to entertainment include: Please note that the costs of alcoholic beverages are unallowable in all circumstances. States may only use Federal TANF or State MOE funds for allowable TANF or MOE expenditures. PDF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Needy Families (TANF) Data A35: Yes, an allocable portion of Federal TANF funds may be used to help meet the program's cost sharing requirement, as long as the State uses the funds to help pay for allowable costs for or on behalf of TANF clientele. If applicable, State expenditures in this area must follow the cost allocation guidelines governing expenditures involving two or more Federal programs. Could a State that elects the 8/21/96 date expend Federal funds on juvenile justice activities, if its most recent approved AFDC-EA plan is dated prior to 9/30/95 and includes juvenile justice services? Employee morale, health, and welfare costs. Non-federal funds used to meet the matching requirement for the HUD homelessness programs cannot count as MOE in the TANF Program. Q13: Are costs associated with staff training considered administrative costs? Q1: May States help the non-needy with services that are consistent with TANF purpose one or two as long as those services fall outside the definition of assistance? However, we inadvertently omitted applicability of Part IV-5212. A State might also provide temporary foster care benefits or services for a child placed with an unrelated foster parent that do not constitute "assistance." B. Publicly Released: May 17, 2012. Also, the State would have to use segregated Federal TANF funds to pay for the services because the family would not be an "eligible family" for MOE purposes. For example, is a State bound by the foster care payment rates in effect as of the date selected by the State (either 9/30/95 or 8/21/96)? b. Such costs will be equitably apportioned to all activities of the governmental unit. As the opportunity presents itself, e.g., at conference presentations, meetings and discussions, we will convey the message contained in our guidance to the audit audience. With regard to the welfare program, the Handbook provisions at Parts IV and V, which were applicable to the old Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, were never fully revoked or codified. The TANF rules changed in 2017. States may use Federal TANF or State MOE funds to provide ongoing assistance and other benefits and services in "kinship care" situations where a child is placed with an adult relative. Please refer to the aforementioned document for a fuller explanation. If a State commingles its Federal TANF and CCDF grants to fund child care activities, then both the TANF and CCDF rules would apply. Thus, States are bound by the "benefiting" program rule and may not charge Medicaid or Food Stamp administrative costs to TANF. Separate State Program o States spend their MOE funds in separate State programs, operated outside of the TANF program operated by the State. Regarding the 15-percent administrative cost limitations, States need to evaluate the services provided against the Federal rule at 45 CFR 263.0, which defines "administrative costs" for the purposes of these limitations. We will also reference the guidance document (i.e., "Helping Families Achieve Self-Sufficiency, A Guide on Funding Services for Children and Families through the TANF Program") and briefly explain it in the Compliance Supplements that we prepare to assist auditors during their annual audits of State programs. There are two potential sources under the TANF funding provisions: Federal TANF and State MOE funds. Q38: Under what conditions may a State provide assistance to a family whose child has been absent for longer than a 180-day period? This is consistent with our regulations and past practice. Under the TANF rule, the term "administrative costs" means costs necessary for the proper administration of the TANF program or separate State programs. Because expenditures on activities that accomplish this TANF purpose are restricted to the "needy," Federal TANF funds may only be used for the portion of the outreach/information expenditures that are attributed to low-income families meeting the State's income and resource (if applicable) standards established for this activity. It also prohibits Stats from using "the grant" for medical services except prepregnancy family planning. Under the statute and final TANF rules, prior year funds can only be used for "assistance" -- those benefits designed to meet the ongoing, basic needs of a family, such as food, clothing, shelter, utilities, etc. For example, training of case managers and other staff about how to provide appropriate services to victims of domestic violence under the Family Violence Option (i.e., screening and identification, safeguarding, referrals to appropriate services, and options to waive program requirements), would be a program cost. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Proposed Information Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: - U.S. Government In serving the non-needy, States may use only segregated Federal TANF funds.1 Q3: Is foster care for a child in the home of a non-relative allowable under TANF? Various policy and funding options in federal law and regulations, including credit for state MOE expenditures that exceed required spending levels, have allowed most states to meet the rate requirements even with smaller percentages of families participating. The restraints or requirements imposed by such factors as: sound business practices; arm's-length bargaining; Federal, State and other laws and regulations; and, terms and conditions of the Federal award. This guide suggests some of the many flexible ways States may expend their Federal TANF and State MOE funds to further the purposes of the TANF program. Some States might not have complied with these instructions. Part 225 are still unallowable in the context of employee morale; for example, costs of alcoholic beverages and entertainment are unallowable. Given the severe revenue shortfalls faced by many states as a result of the recession, many states are re-evaluating their use of TANF and MOE funds. Because cost allocation plans were separate and distinct from the AFDC and JOBS plans, the administrative costs authorized under the prior cost allocation plans do not come under the purview of section 404(a)(2). When evaluating a request to lease a modular unit with TANF funds, the Tribe must also consider the extent to which the funds expended by the TANF program would represent the proportional cost of the units use by TANF staff and clients. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides grants to states, territories, and American Indian tribes to help finance a wide range of benefits and services for needy families with children. To develop the spending-related findings in this body of work, GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance, state TANF data reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and related financial data from selected states. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the territories, and American Indian tribes for a wide range of benefits, services, and activities. The continuation of similar benefits designed to address a specific crisis or episode of need provided beyond the initial four months of non-recurrent short-term benefit receipt, even if provided through a new program, is not consistent with the regulatory definition of non-recurrent, short-term benefits at 45 CFR 260.31(b)(1). Many of these, including Part III, have been superseded by later legislation, formally revoked, or codified into regulation. 2 CFR Part 225 requires that costs be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient performance and administration of Federal awards. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Thus, it is clear that a State could claim that such expenditures would be consistent with the second purpose of the TANF program: "to end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage." A10: Our publication, "Helping Families Achieve Self-sufficiency, A Guide on Funding Services for Children and Families through the TANF Program," provides a systematic approach for a State to use in determining how it might use Federal TANF and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds. (FY 1994) -- or 75% if they meet work participation requirements -- on "qualified State expenditures" to meet the basic MOE requirement. A33: Yes. PDF The Temporary Assistance for (TANF) Block Grant: to In other cases, they are claiming existing expenditures towards the MOE requirement, often for the first time. If the State now puts additional TANF money into its CCDF program, does CCDF become a TANF-funded program, in which case the non-employed receiving CCDF funds are getting child care from a TANF-funded program (and are subject to time limits and other TANF requirements)? However, if the intercepted amount was retained by the state, then federal TANF funds or MOE could not cover this amount. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Appendix B identifies select items of costs. All MOE funds must be spent on TANF eligible families. Thus, the State faces fewer administrative and programmatic requirements in providing these benefits. This brief by Elizabeth Lower-Basch draws attention to these issues. (1) The expenditure is verifiable and meets all applicable requirements in 45 CFR 75.2 and 75.306; (2) There is an agreement between the State and the other party allowing the State to count the expenditure toward its MOE requirement; and, (3) The State counts a cash donation only when it is actually spent.

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