Proposed Rule2025-00537
Strengthening Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as a Safety Net and Work Program; Withdrawal
Primary source
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Published
January 14, 2025
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentChildren and Families Administration
Abstract
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2023. The proposed rule would have amended the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program regulations to strengthen the safety net and reduce administrative burden.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00537]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
45 CFR Parts 205, 260, 261, and 263
RIN 0970-AC97
Strengthening Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as a
Safety Net and Work Program; Withdrawal
AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in
the Federal Register on October 2, 2023. The proposed rule would have
amended the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
regulations to strengthen the safety net and reduce administrative
burden.
DATES: The Administration for Children and Families is withdrawing the
proposed rule published October 2, 2023 (88 FR 67697) as of January 14,
2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Family Assistance, ACF,
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d387929d95a2a6b6a0a7babcbda093b2b0b5fdbbbba0fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0357424d4572766670776a6c6d70436260652d6b6b702d646c75">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-401-9275. Deaf and hard of hearing
individuals may call 202-401-9275 through their chosen relay service or
711 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Administration for Children and Families
(ACF) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) related to the
administration of TANF in the Federal Register on October 2, 2023 (88
FR 67697). The NPRM proposed to (1) establish a ceiling on the term
``needy''; (2) clarify when an expenditure is ``reasonably calculated
to accomplish a TANF purpose''; (3) exclude as an allowable TANF
maintenance-of-effort (MOE) expenditures cash donations from non-
governmental third parties and the value of third-party in-kind
contributions; (4) ensure that excused holidays match the number of
Federal holidays, following the recognition of Juneteenth as a Federal
holiday; (5) develop new criteria to allow States to use alternative
Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) measures; (6) clarify
the ``significant progress'' criteria following a work participation
rate corrective compliance plan; and (7) clarify the existing
regulatory text about the allowability of costs associated with
disseminating program information.
However, upon further consideration, the Department has elected to
withdraw the Strengthening TANF as a Safety Net and Work Program Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on 10/02/2023,
effective January 14, 2025. The Department appreciates the more than
7,000 comments received from State agencies, advocates and a broad
range of additional stakeholders. In making the decision to withdraw
the NPRM, the Department continues to recognize the importance of
rulemaking to ensure that TANF funds are used in a manner consistent
with statutory requirements. However, the Department has determined
that it could benefit from additional public input and consideration on
a set of issues relating to allowable TANF spending before adopting a
final rule. With the time left in this Administration, the Department
is focusing on other matters, including implementing the TANF
provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, and it is not
feasible to solicit additional public comments. The Department has
concluded that withdrawing the NPRM will assure agency flexibility in
re-examining and exploring options and alternatives with stakeholders
in the future prior to developing an NPRM that could draw from this
additional stakeholder engagement. For these independently sufficient
reasons, the Department is withdrawing this NPRM.
The NPRM published on October 2, 2023, is hereby withdrawn.
Dated: January 7, 2025.
Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2025-00537 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-36-P
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