Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PL104-193)

"The Welfare Reform Act"

• The Act redefines how we assist low income families. The primary basis for assistance is not need, but ability to work.
• States and local communities are responsible for the development of work that will assist families to meet their needs.
• The Act eliminated the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) and created TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).
• The Act effected a number of Federal programs designed to help low income families.
• Families will be allowed to receive cash assistance for a maximum of five years in a life time. If you move from state to state the limit is still five years. A family may go off and later return, but the cumulative time can not exceed five years.
• After two years, each recipient will be required to participate in a work activity. Work activity may be defined as employment, work study, internships, apprenticeships or community service. Teen parents must be attending school and living in an adult supervised setting.
• There will be general reduction, particularly as people go to work. If an individual is 18-55 and not working or looking for work, they will be able to receive food stamps only 3 months out of 3 years.
• Small reduction in the school lunch program.
• Reduction in the school lunch program. Redefined eligibility of recipients, including drug and alcohol and children with disabilities.
• Develops a separate application process for families.