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Welfare Rolls Continue to Fall

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., today announced caseloads for both families and individuals receiving cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program declined between the first and second quarters of calendar year 2005.

�Welfare rolls have continued to decline since 1996 when welfare reform was signed into law,� Dr. Horn said. �More families and individuals will find jobs and meaningful careers because of welfare reauthorization.�

According to new data produced by states, from April through June 2005, welfare caseloads for families fell 35,636 -- from 1,931,392 to 1,895,756 -- a decline of 1.85 percent. For individuals, caseloads fell by 101,591 -- from 4,551,402 to 4,449,811 -- a decline of 2.23 percent.

Welfare rolls have declined steadily since the welfare reform law was signed in August 1996. Between August 1996 and June 2005, TANF caseloads for families have declined by 2,512,752 -- from 4,408,508 to 1,895,756 -- a decline of 57 percent. For individuals, caseloads have declined by 7,792,314 -- from 12,242,125 to 4,449,811 -- a decline of 64 percent.

The welfare reform reauthorization was signed into law by President Bush yesterday as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The TANF program had been operating under a series of temporary extensions. Included in President Bush�s welfare reform proposal, reflected in the new law, are initiatives to strengthen work requirements and $100 million for healthy marriage and up to $50 million for responsible fatherhood programs for fiscal year 2006 through 2010.

For more information on TANF caseload data

Thursday, February 9, 2006
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215

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