WELFARE REFORM: HHS Should Exercise Oversight To Help Ensure TANF Work Participation Is Measured Consistently Across States

October 3, 2005 Welfare Reform: HHS Should Exercise Oversight To Help Ensure TANF Work Participation Is Measured Consistently Across StatesThe debate over reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant has focused on work requirements and brought attention to the measure of TANF work participation. The measure is used to assess states' performance and determine whether a state is subject to penalty for not meeting TANF work requirements. The 2003 work participation rates ranged from 9 to 88 percent for the 50 states based on data they submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human . . .