Revised TANF Rules May Increase Opportunities for Education and Training

The Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to release newly revised rules for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program within the next week.  According to news reports, the revised regulations could increase opportunities for education and training for welfare recipients.

In June of 2006, HHS issued new regulations to implement changes to TANF law, which were authorized by Congress earlier that year. Although the regulations took effect immediately, HHS collected comments and proposed changes to the new rules through the end of August 2006.  The revised regulations are expected to respond to several concerns raised by these comments.

Click here to read Women Work!'s comments to HHS.

According to an Associated Press story published last week, the revised regulations will allow States to count up to a year of college coursework toward federal work participation requirements.  In addition, HHS will no longer require that countable homework time be supervised.  HHS Office of Family Assistance Director Sidney Squire explained to the AP, "We thought we were asking a little too much there."

Both changes would reflect recommendations advocated by Women Work! during the summer 2006 comment period.

Stay tuned: Women Work! will provide a full analysis once the new rules are published.

Economic Stimulus Package Moves Forward

Amid growing concerns about the state of the U.S. economy, the House of Representatives passed its $150 billion economic stimulus package by a 385-35 vote on January 29th. As noted in last week's Insider, the House bill was crafted in cooperation with the White House and includes tax cuts for businesses and rebate checks for workers (including those who do not pay income taxes) -- but not the extension of unemployment benefits or temporary boost in food stamps that economic justice groups had advocated. 

Meanwhile, the Senate worked on a more expansive economic stimulus package.  On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee approved a $157 billion bill that would provide a flat $500 rebate to every American earning $3,000 or more a year; it would expand those receiving rebates to include seniors and veterans with disabilities; and it would increase the income level at which rebates phase out (to $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for couples). In addition, the package would extend unemployment insurance benefits for an additional 13 weeks after an unemployed person has exhausted state benefits, plus 13 more weeks in states where the unemployment rate is especially high.

However, several Senators, both Democrats and Republicans alike, have criticized the Finance Committee's package, making it unlikely that the measure will be approved when it comes to a vote on the Senate floor next week.  If the bill is rejected, Senate Democrats would add pieces of the package to the House bill as amendments.

The Senate is expected to hold a series of votes on the stimulus package next week.  Congressional leaders have vowed to have a final stimulus package ready for the President's signature by February 15th.