| Key provisions: The Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act |
| Establishes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) |
| |
Replaces former entitlement programs with Federal block grants |
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Devolves authority and responsibility for welfare programs
from Federal to State government |
| |
Emphasizes moving from welfare to work through time limits
and work requirements |
| Changes eligibility standards for Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) child disability benefits |
| |
Restricts certain formerly eligible children from receiving
benefits |
| |
Changes eligibility rules for new applicants and eligibility
redetermination |
| Requires States to enforce a strong child support
program for collection of child support payments |
| Restricts aliens’ eligibility for welfare and
other public benefits |
| |
Denies illegal aliens most public benefits, except emergency
medical services |
| |
Restricts most legal aliens from receiving Food Stamps and
SSI benefits until they become citizens or work for at least
10 years |
| |
Allows States the option of providing Federal cash assistance
to legal aliens already in the country |
| |
Restricts most new legal aliens from receiving Federal cash
assistance for 5 years |
| |
Allows States the option of using State funds to provide cash
assistance to nonqualifying aliens |
| Provides resources for foster care data systems
and national child welfare study |
| Establishes a block grant to States to provide
child care for working parents |
| Alters eligibility criteria and benefits for child
nutrition programs |
| |
Modifies reimbursement rates |
| |
Makes families (including aliens) that are eligible for free
public education also eligible for school meal benefits |
| Tightens national standards for food stamps and
commodity distribution* |
| |
Institutes an across-the-board reduction in benefits |
| |
Caps standard deduction at fiscal year 1995 level |
| |
Limits receipt of benefits to 3 months in every 3 years by childless able-bodied adults age 18-50 unless working or in training |
| *Some changes to the food stamp provisions were subsequently made in the 2002 Farm Bill. |
