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Legislative Fiscal Division 1 of 3 October, 2016

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) TANF is a federal block grant that supports public assistance programs.

SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS Services for needy families funded with TANF funds include: o Cash assistance for the purchase of basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, and personal care items o Job preparation and work supports such as transportation, vehicle repair, and items that assist individuals in continuing employment or becoming employed o Education and training, excluding tuition

States receive a set level of federal funding, Montana’s annual federal grant should be about $38.0 million in FY 2015 – FY 2017. In order to receive the federal funds, a state must continue to expend state and local resources at a level known as the “maintenance of effort” or “MOE.” Montana’s annual MOE is about $13.1 million.

Funds must be expended to achieve one of four TANF purposes: 1) To provide assistance to needy families for a limited time period of 60 months 2) To end dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage 3) To prevent and reduce out of wedlock pregnancies 4) To encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

States must also meet other federal requirements including: o Work participation rates o Data reporting requirements o Limiting beneficiary to a maximum of 60 months per lifetime of benefits o Assignment of child support to the state by the beneficiary

ELIGIBILITY States set the eligibility requirements for cash assistance benefits and services that are provided with federal and state TANF funding.

MONTANA LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Legislative Fiscal Division Room 110 Capitol Building * P.O. Box 201711 * Helena, MT 59620-1711 * (406) 444-2986 * FAX (406) 444-3036

Director AMY CARLSON 2011 Federal Poverty Index Earnings by Family Size Family Annual Earnings by Percent of 2011 FPL Size 30% 33% 40% 100% 1 $3,267 $3,594 $4,356 $10,890 2 4,413 4,854 5,884 14,710 3 5,559 6,115 7,412 18,530 4 6,705 7,376 8,940 22,350 5 7,851 8,636 10,468 26,170 6 8,997 9,897 11,996 29,990 7 10,143 11,157 13,524 33,810 8 11,289 12,418 15,052 37,630 Family Monthly Earnings by Percent of 2011 FPL Size 30% 33% 40% 100% 1 $272 $299 $363 $908 2 368 405 490 1,226 3 463 510 618 1,544 4 559 615 745 1,863 5 654 720 872 2,181 6 750 825 1,000 2,499 7 845 930 1,127 2,818 8 941 1,035 1,254 3,136