Welfare Reauthorization: An Early Guide to the Issues

Publication Date: September 2001

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Mark Greenberg; Jodie Levin-Epstein; Rutledge Q. Hutson; Theodora Ooms

Research Area:

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In 2002, Congress will need to address the reauthorization of TANF. At the same time, Congress will also face reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant and the Food Stamp Program, and the 2002 discussions may also encompass issues concerning child support, child welfare, immigrant eligibility for public benefits, marriage and family formation, and the Medicaid program.

In this article, CLASP staff summarize the key features of the 1996 welfare law, principal developments since enactment of the law, and many of the potential issues that may be before Congress in 2002 as a result of the experience since 1996.