September 23,2011

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Baucus Applauds Extension of TANF Aid to Families in Need

Finance Chair: Aid is Critical When Many People Are Looking For Work

Washington, DCSenate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today applauded the Senate’s a three month extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).  TANF provides safety-net assistance to American families with dependent children in the form of job training and job search support, child care and transportation in addition to other services that help people transition back to work.

“The TANF program helps families in dire need get back on their feet with job training and job search assistance, which is critical at a time when many people are looking for work,” Baucus said.  “This extension will help reduce the number of Americans in poverty and get people back on the job.”

The TANF program provides each state with a predetermined portion of the total funding budgeted every year.  States can then use that money to fund a range of work opportunity programs, including job training and job search assistance, child care, and early teen social services.  The three month agreement will extend the program at current funding levels.

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