Press Releases

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) today introduced legislation that would give states flexibility to meet Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work requirements for people with disabilities.

Current law requires TANF recipients to participate in a narrow set of work-related activities for a certain number of hours per week, and states are required to modify those requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  However, Federal TANF work requirements do not change in light of ADA modifications.  This makes it difficult for states to meet work requirements and potentially puts Federal TANF funding at risk.  Additionally, current law can create pressure on states that could ultimately lead to people with disabilities losing work opportunities.

Congresswoman Moore said, “States are required to change work requirements for people with disabilities, but TANF participation standards under current law are blind to these changes.  My bill would fix this and give states much needed flexibility to modify participation standards for people with disabilities.  It would lift pressure off states and make it easier to provide job training and work opportunities to people with disabilities.”

Moore’s bill would make it easier for states to meet TANF participation requirements and be ADA compliant by allowing them to:
 

• Modify TANF work requirements for people with disabilities and count participation based on meeting those modified requirements.
• Temporarily waive work requirements for people with severe disabilities.

Additionally, her bill would require participating states to report yearly to the Department of Health and Human Services on their modified plans, and in turn, HHS would provide a summary of state actions to Congress.

For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact David Frey at 202-225-4572.