On October 18, 2021, a new law goes into effect that helps protect children’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Under the law now, there are no more full-family sanctions. This is a big win for cutting child poverty in Maine!

Before this bill passed, if a parent violated a TANF program rule, all family members, including children, could lose their TANF benefits. (This is called a sanction.) Very often, these rule violations are due to misunderstandings, clerical errors, and other circumstances beyond parents’ control. But these simple mistakes have led to harsh consequences. When TANF families’ limited resources are taken away due to a sanction, research has shown that children can become homeless, go without heat and electricity, and go hungry. 

Experiencing poverty and hardship, even briefly, has harmful, life-long impacts on children. On the other hand, research shows that even relatively small amounts of cash given to families, like those from TANF, can give children the help they need to succeed. In passing this law, Maine recognized that our state must avoid harsh TANF rules that drive families deeper into poverty.

Under the new law, if a parent or caretaker is sanctioned and loses TANF benefits, other members of their household will continue to receive their TANF benefits. Parents or caretakers can get back their portion of TANF as soon as they follow all TANF/ASPIRE rules and sign a new family contract.

After October 18, no family should lose all their TANF support if a parent is sanctioned. Contact us for legal help if you have questions!