Tag Archives: TANF

NASW STATEMENT: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is disappointed the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which marks its 20th anniversary this week, is not meeting its original goal to “end welfare as we know it” and needs reforms so it can better serve families who are low income. President Clinton signed TANF into law in 1996 ... Read More »

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 has proven historic in providing job protection under certain conditions for qualified workers. Those who qualify under the FMLA are able to take unpaid time off from work when caring for a newborn or adopted child, sick spouse, child or parent or during their own illness, including pregnancy, without fear of ... Read More »

On February 17, Congress passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, H.R. 3630 which includes a provision to extend the TANF program through September 30, 2012. This was not a clean extension, meaning there were changes to the program included. The first change requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set (by ... Read More »

NASW Submits Recommendations on EHB On January 31, NASW sent the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recommendations to strengthen the Essential Health Benefits (EHB). NASW made a strong appeal for a comprehensive, uniform set of national health benefits, and suggested that weak, state-based EHB packages will harm low-income and vulnerable individuals.  NASW also appealed to DHHS for development of ... Read More »

Political Climate Now that the calendar has turned to 2012, the upcoming election cycle has begun to gain steam.  The Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary are behind us, Republican candidates are looking down the road at the South Carolina primary.  Pieces will begin falling into place as the President continues fundraising, the Republicans move closer to declaring a ... Read More »

Federal Budget Update The House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution to carry 2012 federal spending after the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.  The stop gap funding measure continues funds until November 18, 2011, at a reduced rate across-the-board of 1.409% below FY 2011 spending levels, cutting spending for the first seven weeks of the ... Read More »

In response to the hearing held on March 11 by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, NASW submitted written testimony. The testimony calls for enhancing the capacity of the welfare system infrastructure; reducing the number of families living in poverty; and improving assistance to recipients with multiple barriers to self-sufficiency. To join the Advocacy ... Read More »

On March 11, 2010, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support heard testimony about the role of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in providing assistance to families with little or no income. In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) expressed concern that “only 22% of poor children receive assistance ... Read More »