Support Fixes to TANF!

By MB -
As we mentioned a few weeks ago, Community Legal Services released a report on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, or cash welfare) and the caseload decline in Pennsylvania. In 2014, at least 35,000 PA families with children receiving SNAP (food stamps) were poor enough to qualify for TANF but didn't receive it. For those who did qualify, the maximum grants allowed were very low - approximately $403/month for a family of 3, a number that hasn't increased since 1990.

The TANF caseload in PA has declined by over 300,000 adults and children since 1996, but since 2008, the number of people leaving because they had jobs has remained steady. So despite more people leaving TANF (or not entering the program), very low-income Pennsylvanians are not necessarily earning more.

In order to address the problems with TANF raised by this report, CLS is sharing two sign-on letters to Governor Wolf - one for organizations and one for individuals. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the caseload decline with the Governor.

To read the full CLS report, click here.

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