The Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) hereby gives notice regarding the District of Columbia State Plan for Administration of the Block Grant for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The effective date for this plan is October 1, 2008. The District of Columbia uses federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to operate a cash assistance program for families with children known as the District’s TANF program. The local legal authority for this program is the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982 (D.C. Law 4-101; D.C. Official Code §4-201.01 et seq.), as amended. The provisions of this plan are effective October 1, 2008. This program provides cash aid to needy families with children throughout the city and requires non-exempt adult recipients not already employed in unsubsidized employment to participate in work activities. (Teen parents meet the work participation requirement by attending school.) Non-exempt TANF applicants are also required to participate in job search and job readiness activities.

 

Applicant job search and job readiness activities are operated by the Department of Human Services (DHS).  While some recipients participate in work activities provided by DHS or other District agencies, most recipients are assigned to private non-profit or for-profit entities (referred to in this document as “vendors”) that have received contracts from the District government to operate work programs.  Some recipients are also permitted to participate in self-initiated work-related activities.