HHS relaunches applications for TANF Pilot Program

Key Takeaways

This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) relaunched applications for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Program, authorized by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2023 (P.L. 118-5). The TANF Pilot Program provides the opportunity for five states to pilot new performance and accountability measures in lieu of the traditional work participation rate.  

Per the FRA legislation, pilots will be in effect for six years. The first year is set to establish benchmark data and negotiate targets, with the remaining years focused on measuring performance against the targets. The pilots selected under this solicitation will begin their baseline year on October 1, 2025, and operate their pilots through September 30, 2031.  

Previously in 2024, three county-administered states (California, Minnesota, and Ohio) were selected to participate in the pilot program. NACo has encouraged the Administration for Children and Families to ensure that county-administered states are represented in the new selection.  

Applications from state agencies are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 15, 2025, and must be submitted electronically to the following email address: TANFquestions@acf.hhs.gov. For more information, read the full Request for Proposals from ACF here.