Sept 19 -- The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) invites comments to OMB by October 19, 2023 regarding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Reporting for Work Participation, with proposed revisions. Revisions are intended to improve the clarity of the instructions, streamline reporting, and ensure all instructions are up-to-date.
This request includes the following information collections: work verification procedures, the Caseload Reduction Documentation Process, the TANF Data Report, the Separate State Program (SSP)-Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Data Report, and TANF sampling instructions. The data and information from these reports and processes are used–and will continue to be used–for program analysis and oversight, including the calculation and administration of the work participation rate and associated penalties. Congress provides federal funds to operate TANF programs in the states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and for approved federally recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages. We are proposing to continue the same information collections with only changes to instructions to improve clarity and eliminate data elements and guidance that are no longer relevant. The Work Verification Plan Guidance has been updated to reflect current regulation. The TANF and SSP–MOE Data Report instructions were revised to streamline the data collection, reduce the burden on respondents by eliminating unnecessary data elements, and clarify confusing data elements. The TANF and SSP–MOE Data Report layouts were also updated to reflect the streamlined instructions. The TANF Sample Manual was revised to eliminate outdated and unused sections.
These data will be used by ACF to assess and evaluate the TANF program and include documentation of each State’s status in: (1) meeting statutorily required participation rates; (2) qualifying for work participation caseload reduction credit; (3) being subject to certain statutorily mandated penalties; (4) being considered for a "reasonable cause" exception and a reduction in the amount of the penalty for failure to meet the work participation requirements; and (5) validating data.
State TANF Data and Reports:
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf/data-reports
ACF submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202309-0970-004 Click on IC List for questionnaire, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this site.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-20165
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806
