Programmatically, the responsibility for the management of cash assistance for people living in poverty was shifted from the federal government to the states. They are responsible for the implementation of their own cash assistance programs as well as compliance with federal guidelines. That means the states now face the challenge of developing policies and programs that meet the complex needs of people living in poverty. Cash assistance is now known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, and it has three major provisions that make it significantly different from the old program. First, the receipt of cash assistance is no longer an entitlement and there are lifetime limits for an individual to receive benefits.
Individuals are eligible to receive benefits for up to five years.
Secondly, to be eligible for cash assistance, an individual must comply with a personal responsibility work plan. An adult who is also receiving a benefit with their child must be actively involved in work or a work activity. An adolescent with a child must attend school to be eligible for cash assistance. Finally, the new TANF program includes a strong family cap. The cash assistance amount is determined by the number of children they have when they first apply.