TANF Benefits: Who's Getting a $500 Payment for Holiday Expenses This Year?

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Families receiving TANF benefits from the state who may be watching their pennies this holiday season will soon see more relief.

Tennessee will provide nearly 24,000 children and their families with a little additional support during the holiday season to lessen the stress placed on low-income households through the TANF benefits.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services will make a one-time supplemental payment of $500 to aid with holiday expenses for families enrolled in the state's Families First/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (TDHS).

Tennesse TANF Benefits Schedule

Using monthly cash deposits to users' electronic benefit cards (EBTs), the Families First program gives poor Tennessee families access to federally supported purchases of goods and services. Starting on Thursday, December 1, the additional payment will be accessible using current EBT cards.

The Office of the Administration for Children & Families provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance to low-income families with children in an effort to help them become self-sufficient, according to the website of the US Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).

Currently, the federal government gives US states and territories over $16.5 billion in TANF block grants to pay for the monthly cash assistance payments that are made to its eligible people through initiatives like Families First in Tennessee.

According to GoBankingRates, a participant's lifetime participation in the temporary aid program Families First is restricted to 60 months. The program also contains a duty pledge for household heads, which includes requirements like agreeing to work or attend work-related events and making sure kids get immunizations, health checks, and regularly attend school.

State officials claim to be aware of all the financial difficulties families face during the holiday season, including the need to prepare more food, buy warmer clothing, and cater for school breaks. All the families concerned should now be able to have a successful start to the new year, they hope.

Per News Channel 5, the state is also cautioning these families to exercise caution over ongoing EBT card fraud. Never provide your card number or other personal information to a stranger.

Visit the TDHS's ONE DHS website for additional details on the Families First program, instructions for applying, or to manage your Tennessee human services benefits online.

Lawmaker Proposes to Require Drug Test for TANF Benefits Recipients

Meanwhile, a bill that mandates drug testing for TANF applicants was submitted on Tuesday by state representative Ken King.

If someone fails a drug test, House Bill 822 would prevent them from receiving government aid for 12 months; if they successfully complete a drug offender education course, the ban would be reduced to six months.

There is a reason this bill may seem familiar to you. Since his election in 2012, King has filed similar bills in each parliamentary session he has participated in. King explained to the Human Services Committee's members why he thinks this is such a crucial subject during the 83rd Legislative Session.

There has been debate over the bills. The price of a comprehensive drug testing program is one potential problem. But King asserts that any sum would be worthwhile. The bill's detractors claim that even if it is approved by the legislature and becomes law, legal challenges would drag out the matter in court and almost certainly result in its being ruled illegal.

In 2013, Parent Guidance Center's Judy Powell gave a testimony against the proposal. HB423 was introduced during the 87th Legislative Session and then forwarded to the Human Services Committee. Before lawmakers could formally act on the measure, the session was over, as per KRLD via MSN.

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