Close to one million Hoosiers experienced poverty in 2016. Indiana’s cash assistance program for families experiencing poverty - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF - is meant to be a lifeline for those who have fallen upon hard times. It has two main purposes: to provide a cash benefit so that families can meet their basic needs until their situation improves and to offer non-cash support through programs and case management that help parents find and keep jobs. But TANF isn't working well in Indiana. Find out why, then learn what you can do to transform TANF!
Indiana TANF Grant Has not Increased to Meet the Growing Cost of Basic Needs
Cash assistance benefits have far less purchasing power than in 1988, as the cost of basic items have increased and benefits have lost more than half of their value to inflation.
TANF in Indiana: Its Purposes, Its Problems, and What Lawmakers Can Do to Improve It
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is meant to be a lifeline for those who have fallen upon hard times. But in Indiana, the eligibility standards and value of the benefits have eroded, leaving the program in need of reform. Find out what Hoosier lawmakers need to do to fix TANF so that it actually lifts Hoosier families out of poverty.
When it comes to programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, myths abound. Learn the facts about how many people receive cash support in Indiana, what it takes to qualify for the program, and how much cash the typical program participant actually receives. Then, share them with others!
We believe in an Indiana where Hoosiers can care for themselves and their loved ones while also being fairly compensated for the work that they do.
Indiana recently scored a D- on care policies. Reach out to your legislators NOW, while they are planning for the upcoming session, to ask how they will demonstrate care for their constituents by voting for these care-friendly policies.
