Tribes Ditch Word for Excel in Budget Overhaul
Published Date: 2/11/2026
Notice
Summary
Tribal child support programs can keep using a refreshed Excel budget form to make their annual money plans easier and clearer. The Word version is being dropped, and small updates fix links and formulas. Tribes should note comments are open until April 13, 2026, with no big cost changes expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Excel Budget Template Kept; Word Dropped
If your tribe runs an approved tribal child support program, you can keep using the refreshed Excel Tribal Budget and Narrative Justification Template to prepare annual budgets and narratives. OCSE is discontinuing the Word template and the Excel 1115 Waiver version, and made minor updates (citations/hyperlinks changed from 45 CFR part 75 to 2 CFR part 200, sample examples edited, and formula errors fixed).
Annual Time Burden for Tribes
Tribes and tribal organizations administering a Title IV‑D tribal child support program are estimated to spend 16 hours each per year to prepare and submit the budget and narrative (one response per tribe). OCSE estimates 63 tribal respondents for a total annual burden of 1,008 hours.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09383 — Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632 — Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-09749 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Consumer Education Website and Reports of Serious Injuries and Death
The government is asking to keep the Child Care Consumer Education website and serious injury/death reporting rules for three more years, with no changes to how states and providers report. This affects all states, DC, and territories that get child care funds, helping families stay informed and safe. Comments are open until June 15, 2026, and the paperwork burden has been slightly lowered.
2026-09620 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental Annual Report (New Collection)
The government wants to start collecting a new annual report about how disaster relief money from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being used to help low-income families recover. This affects states like Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, plus any future disaster funding. They’re asking for public feedback by July 13, 2026, to make sure the report works well without causing extra hassle or costs.
2026-09623 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Guidance for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, ACF-123
Tribal groups running Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs will see clearer, simpler instructions for submitting their plans. These updates cut the time it takes to respond by about a third, making the process faster and easier. Comments on these changes are open until July 13, 2026, and the guidance extension lasts three more years with no extra costs.
2026-08989 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Evaluation of the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration-New Information Collection Request
The government is launching a 5-year project called NextGen to help noncustodial parents get better jobs and pay child support more consistently. Ten child support agencies across the U.S. will try out new programs, and researchers will study how well these efforts work. If you’re involved with these agencies or interested in child support, now’s the time to share your thoughts before July 6, 2026!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02659 — Pesticides; Draft Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Notifications, Non-Notifications, and Minor Formulation Amendments; Extension of Comment Period
The EPA is giving pesticide companies an extra 30 days to comment on new rules that make small changes to how they report minor updates to their products. These changes simplify some steps and clarify the process, helping companies save time and avoid extra paperwork. Comments are now due by March 23, 2026, so stakeholders have more time to share their thoughts without rushing.
Next: 2026-02664 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request on Proceeds of Bonds Used for Reimbursement
The IRS wants your thoughts on how it collects info about using bond money to pay back expenses. This affects anyone dealing with bonds and could change how paperwork is handled, aiming to make it easier and clearer. Comments are due by April 13, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!