Information on Welfare Reform
As the President said on August 22, 1996, the signing of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 should "be remembered not for what it ended but for what it began: a new day that offers hope, honors responsibility, rewards work, and changes the terms of the debate." (Remarks at the Signing Ceremony).The implementation of this bill is critical to ensuring the President's vision is fulfilled. This page has been designed to assist the public in understanding the law and provide access to available federal information.
Information by Topic || Information by Department
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant
The new welfare reform law block grants AFDC, Emergency Assistance (EA), and JOBS into a single capped entitlement to states -- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). More information on TANF can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Welfare Pages.Child Care
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) assists low-income families and those transitioning off welfare to obtain child care so they can work or attend training/education. For more information, see the HHS Child Care Bureau's Home Page and the HHS Administration for Children and Families Welfare Pages.Child Support Enforcement
The new law contains comprehensive child support enforcement (CSE) provisions and requires states to initiate numerous new enforcement techniques. For more information, see the HHS Child Support Home Page and the ACF Welfare Pages.Transitions to Work
The new law contains strong work requirements and performance bonuses to reward states for moving welfare recipients into jobs. To find out more information on Transitions to Work, see the President's Welfare to Work Jobs Challenge, ACF Welfare Page, and the Department of Labor's Employments and Training Page which discusses the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
The "Welfare to Work: The Federal Government -- Working To Do Its Share" web site: allows for the sharing of information and draft plans; provides links to other useful sites; answers frequently asked questions; provides an easy reference to relevant documents; and, most importantly, allows for a dialog among federal, state and local government employees on what is working and where there are roadblocks.
Immigration
The new law limits welfare and public benefits for aliens. For more information, see the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization (INS) Welfare Reform Page and the Welfare pages of ACF, Medicaid, and USDA.Medicaid
The new law has substantial implications for Medicaid eligibility systems and responsibilities. For more information, see the HHS Medicaid Bureau Welfare Reform Page.Food Stamps
The new law limits receipt of food stamp benefits for able-bodied adults who are not working or participating in a work program or in workfare. For more information, see the USDA Welfare Reform Page.Family Violence
See the President's Guidance on the Family Violence Provisions in the new welfare law. For more general information on Domestic Violence issues, see the Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office and the Community Checklist Page.Social Security
Several provisions in the new welfare reform law affect Social Security Administration (SSA) including, limited SSI eligibility for noncitizens and changes in SSI childhood disability criteria. See the SSA Welfare Reform Page for more information.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- Effects on Medicaid
U.S. Department of Justice -- Immigration and Naturalization Page
U.S. Social Security Administration
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Labor -- Employment and Training