Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA)
In February 2006, President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), which reauthorized the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant through 2010.
On February 5, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Final Rule regarding the TANF program. These regulations required Washington to make major changes to the WorkFirst program in order to meet stricter federal participation standards and avoid paying penalties.
For more on the DRA Reauthorization of TANF
- TANF Program Final Rule — February 5, 2008
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Final Rule Summary
- New Definitions of TANF Work Activities
Washington State’s Response to DRA
Governor Gregoire’s press release on DRA — September 25, 2006
Governor Gregoire’s response to our Congressional Delegation TANF Letter from the Governor and Enclosure — December 21, 2006
Washington State’s Interim Work Verification Plan
- Federal Comments on Washington State's Work Verification Plan — April 7, 2007
- Federal General Comments on Work Verification Plan's to all state's — April 7, 2007
- Federal Guidance Back to State’s on Work Verification Plans — December 2006
- Washington State’s WorkFirst Interim Work Verification Plan | Letter — December 21, 2007
Impacts of the DRA changes to the TANF program
- More narrowly defines allowable work activities
- Increases the work participation requirements
- Creates uniform reporting, documentation and activity supervision requirements
- Reiterates the penalties that increase dramatically over time to more than $120 million
Washington began implementing the federal changes to WorkFirst in October 2006.
Other perspectives on the federal changes to TANF
- National Conference of State Legislatures Report
- National Governors Association (NGA) Issue Brief — The Wait is Over, the Work Begins: Implementing the NEW TANF Legislation
- CLASP: Implementing the TANF Changes in the Deficit Reduction Act — Win-Win Solutions for Families and States
