HHS Tweaks How States Share TANF Recipient Data
Published Date: 6/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services is updating how it handles information about families getting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. These changes affect states, territories, and Tribal groups that share data to help make sure the program runs fairly and honestly. The updates start June 23, 2026, with some new rules kicking in July 23, 2026, and the public can comment until then.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New Disclosure to Verify Immigration
Starting July 23, 2026, HHS may share TANF records with other federal or grantee agencies or entities (for example DHS or TANF administrators) to help ACF check whether TANF agencies are following program rules, including verifying recipients' citizenship or immigration status. This new routine use authorizes those disclosures for program integrity reviews or projects.
Social Security Numbers Used for Retrieval
HHS will retrieve verification information using Social Security numbers (SSNs) and the system contains SSNs, dates of birth, and immigration status for adults and children in TANF cases. Records reported by TANF grantees are retrieved by SSN or case number and verification information is retrieved by SSN.
How You Can Get Your TANF Records
You can request access to records about you through a secure web portal (FOIA.gov) or by mail. Mail requests must include identity verification (a notarized signature or a signed certification) and email should not be used for sending sensitive information.
Long-Term Retention of TANF Data
Some TANF data (cash assistance caseloads, work participation data, and caseload characteristics) will be cut off at fiscal year end and transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) 20 years after cutoff for permanent retention. Other routine reports will be destroyed three years after cutoff.
Security Safeguards and Cloud Storage
HHS stores TANF records in a restricted cloud database and on secured networks that use two-factor authentication, encryption, intrusion detection, FedRAMP-authorized cloud service providers, and NIST and OMB guidance. Records eligible for destruction follow NIST SP 800-88 secure destruction methods.
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Key Dates
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