Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
Sponsored By: Representative Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
In Committee
Summary
Strengthen TANF program integrity. This bill would boost payment checks, direct federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) aid to lower‑income households, and add timelines and anti‑supplanting rules to how states use funds.
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- Families: Would restrict federal TANF grant use to families with income less than twice the federal poverty guidelines, narrowing who can get federally funded assistance.
- States: Would require states to obligate funds by the end of the next fiscal year and spend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year. States could reserve up to 15 percent of funds, but total reserves could not exceed 50 percent of the prior year’s payment, and governors must certify funds will not replace state or local spending.
- Federal oversight: Would apply the Payment Integrity Information Act to state TANF programs and require the HHS Secretary to deliver a written plan within 1 year to reduce improper payments within 10 years.
Effective date would be October 1, 2027.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Income cap for TANF-funded help
If enacted, States receiving grants under section 403(a)(1) would use those federal TANF funds only for families with income less than twice the poverty guideline for their family size. The poverty guideline referenced is the HHS figure updated under section 673(2) of OBRA 1981. This rule would take effect on October 1, 2027. Families with income at or above twice the poverty guideline would not be eligible for assistance paid from these grants.
Stricter rules and timing for TANF funds
If enacted, State TANF programs would have to follow the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 for improper-payment reporting. States could not use federal TANF funds to replace state or local funds, and the State chief executive would have to certify that the funds will not supplant non-federal funds. States would have to obligate grants by the end of the next fiscal year and spend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year. A State could reserve up to 15% of a grant, but total reserves could not exceed 50% of the prior year payment and the State must notify HHS if it intends to reserve funds. These rules would start on October 1, 2027.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
OH • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
TX • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]
NE • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]
WV • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]
IA • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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