Part A—BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES^[3]

PURPOSE

Sec. 401. [42 U.S.C. 601] (a) In General.—The purpose of this part is to increase the flexibility of States in operating a program designed to—

(1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;

(2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;

(3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and

(4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

(b) No Individual Entitlement.—This part shall not be interpreted to entitle any individual or family to assistance under any State program funded under this part.

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^[3]  See Vol. II, P.L. 109-4, §2(a), P.L. 109-19, §2(a), P.L. 109-68, §2(b), and P.L. 109-161, §2(a) with respect to the extension of the temporary assistance for needy families block grant program.

P.L. 109-68, §2(a), provides

“(a) In General-Notwithstanding section 405 of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall pay each grant payable under section 403 of such Act for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act.”

See Vol. II, P.L. 109-68, §§3-8, with respect to reimbursement of States for TANF benefits, availability of additional unspent TANF funds, work requirements, time limits, and waiver of TANF penalties for Hurricane Katrina damaged States and families affected by the Hurricane.