HHS relaunches applications for TANF Pilot Program
Author
Julia Cortina
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
UPDATE: On September 25, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced they have selected Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and Virginia to participate in the redesigned TANF pilot. TANF is county-administered in Ohio and Virginia.
In July, 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.
Resource
H.R. 1 and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): What Counties Should Know
Related News
Counties meet an unprecedented moment in human services
County human services directors are racing to lower SNAP Payment Error Rates, implementing significant eligibility changes and preparing for reduced federal support while building entirely new systems and processes to implement Medicaid work requirements.
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization
On July 24, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country.
Senate Agriculture Committee passes Farm Bill
On September 16, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.