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TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) STATE PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In May 1996, the Alaska State legislature created the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), which replaced the welfare programs Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Jobs, Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS). That same year, the federal government enacted the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, which provides the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. ATAP, which is Alaska’s name for the TANF program, was implemented in 1997, is funded through a combination of state funds and TANF block grant. The TANF State Plan (the Plan) is required for Alaska to receive federal block grant funds. The Plan describes major program provisions and outlines eligibility criteria, participation requirements, and program benefits available to participants. All needy Alaskan families with dependent children may apply to participate in ATAP. To qualify, families establish eligibility based on family composition and financial need. To continue participation in the program, parents or caretaker relatives included in the assistance unit must engage in work activities within 24 months of entering the program, in accordance with Title IV-A, section 407 of the Social Security Act. The TANF Block Grant has requirements not found in earlier welfare programs. TANF is time-limited, and families may only receive a total of 60 months of cash benefits in their lifetime unless they qualify for an exemption. ATAP uses an individualized Work First approach to promote family self- sufficiency. Families build on their strengths and actively seek employment, which includes being assigned a case manager and completing a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (FSSP) and employability assessment for each adult in the household. Families must participate in work activities and cooperate with child support enforcement. Minor teen parents must live with a parent or in another approved living arrangement while they continue their education. ATAP includes cash benefits to help pay for basic living expenses while a family makes progress toward economic independence through employment. Supportive services are available through ATAP case management and may be used to purchase or reimburse the costs of services determined necessary to support work activities such as childcare, transportation and job-related training. ATAP promotes strong partnerships with local governments, Native organizations, non-profit and profit organizations to promote jobs and identify effective community work experience. The Division evaluates ATAP using data-based performance measures of success. These measures include the number of adults employed within 90 days, the number of adults that closed the ATAP case with earnings, the number who leave assistance with employment and do not return, and the number participating in a job development activity. Alaska TANF State Plan Plan Effective December 31, 2025