Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal block grant that provides temporary cash assistance, subsidized childcare, and work programs for low-income households with children.  The TANF program is administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Adults in families receiving TANF participate in the WorkFirst program, which helps participants resolve barriers and prepare for and find jobs.  In fiscal year 2021, the average monthly TANF caseload was 29,701, with an average payment of $470.63, and 29.8 percent of the caseloads—13,556—included children age 5 and under.

Cash and Food Assistance.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also referred to as Basic Food, provides food benefits to eligible low-income households.  A household is considered categorically eligible for Basic Food when all members of the household receive, or are authorized to receive, payments or services from certain programs, or the household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  Families receiving TANF are categorically eligible for Basic Food.  Basic Food cannot be used to purchase diapers.

Subject to appropriation, the DSHS may make additional monthly payments to recipients of TANF with children under the age of 3, for the purpose of child-related necessities such as diapers.  The DSHS must set the benefit amounts in rule in accordance with the amounts appropriated.

The DSHS must make reasonable efforts to timely communicate the new subsidy at implementation and as the diaper subsidy eligibility changes.

(In support) This bill will equip parents and caregivers with the ability to purchase diapers, which is a basic necessity.  No child should have to go without their basic needs being met.  The main goal of TANF is to help families meet their most basic needs and to protect children from the most devastating effects of deep poverty.  Because the grant amount TANF recipients receive is as low as it is, families are often faced with choosing which basic need to meet.  This bill provides an increase in the grant amount where there is a clear and demonstrated need, purchasing diapers.  No public assistance programs help families pay for diapers.  In preparing this bill, advocates worked with the DSHS to understand how to minimize the impact of an additional diaper subsidy on Basic Food.  Adding $125 per month to TANF for the diaper grant reflects the real cost of diapers, and for all eligible TANF recipients, provides a net increase in family resources, even while causing a slight change to Basic Food.  

(Opposed) None.

(In support) Unlike other essentials, no public assistance program helps to pay for diapers.  The policy under this bill is an acknowledgment that diapering babies is not a choice.  Diaper costs have increased by 12 percent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Parents who receive benefits pursuant to the TANF program are among the most low-income parents in the state.  These families do not have enough income to meet basic needs and are forced to make extraordinarily difficult choices.  This benefit would be provided at a time when the cost of diapers is extremely high and families are most vulnerable.

(Opposed) None.