diff --git a/.buildinfo b/.buildinfo
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--- a/.buildinfo
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# Sphinx build info version 1
# This file hashes the configuration used when building these files. When it is not found, a full rebuild will be done.
-config: c27a5c183afbd19cbf16e241737ce764
+config: 96dd4158401e2e3c3a696bcb4941f3b0
tags: 645f666f9bcd5a90fca523b33c5a78b7
diff --git a/FiscalSim-US_references.html b/FiscalSim-US_references.html
index f41207efb..e37ec24e4 100644
--- a/FiscalSim-US_references.html
+++ b/FiscalSim-US_references.html
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
-
+
@@ -399,43 +399,59 @@
Patrick Canning. Quantifying the impact of snap benefits on the u.s. economy and jobs. SNAP Feature 1, USDA Economic Research Service, https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2019/july/quantifying-the-impact-of-snap-benefits-on-the-u-s-economy-and-jobs/, 2019.
-
+
+[CRS18]
+
CRS. The temoprary assistance for needy families (tanf) block grant: responses to frequently asked questions. FAQ 1, Congressional Research Service, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32760/154, 2018.
+
+
+[fCF22]
+
Administration for Children & Families. Tanf and moe spending and transfers by activity, fy 2021. Financial Data Tables 1, Department of Health and Human Services, December 2022.
+
+
+[HHS22]
+
HHS. About tanf. Summary Page 1, The Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf/about, 2022.
+
+
[Man23]
Jerold Mande. Supplemental nutrition assistance program as a health intervention. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 35(1):33–38, Feb 2023.
-
+
+[oBP22]
+
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Policy basics: temporary assistance for needy families. Policy Overview, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, https://www.cbpp.org/research/income-security/temporary-assistance-for-needy-families, March 2022.
+
+
[Pet23]
Peter G. Peterson. What is snap? an overview of the largest federal anti-hunger program. Program Overview Paper 1, Peter G. Peterson Foundation, https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2023/05/what-is-snap, 2023.
-
+
[Sha14]
Jessica Shahin. Commemorating the history of snap: looking back at the food stamp act of 1964. Legislation Overview 1, USDA, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/10/15/commemorating-history-snap-looking-back-food-stamp-act-1964, 2014.
John Woolley. Executive order 10914-providing for an expanded program of food distribution to needy families. Executive Order Documentation 1, UC-Santa Barbara, https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10914-providing-for-expanded-program-food-distribution-needy-families, 2023.
+
+[USD23b]
+
USDA. Us farm policy and policy process. Policy Process 1, USDA, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-commodity-policy/u-s-farm-policy-and-policy-process/, 2023.
[GerstenPaal22]
Sasha Gersten-Paal. Snap fy 2023 cost-of-living adjustments. Policy Memo, Food and Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture, August 9 2022.
-
+
[JohnsonMotoyama22]
Michelle Johnson-Motoyama. Association between state supplemental nutrition assistance program policies, child protective services involvement, and foster care in the us, 2004-2016. Journal of the American Medical Association, 5(7):1, July 2022.
diff --git a/_sources/federalstate/snap/intro.md b/_sources/federalstate/snap/intro.md
index 87ca235d6..da12497cd 100644
--- a/_sources/federalstate/snap/intro.md
+++ b/_sources/federalstate/snap/intro.md
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
(Chap_SNAPoverview)=
## Overview
-The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and one of the largest poverty reduction programs in the United States. The 2022 SNAP federal budget was $119 billion, aiding approximately 41 million low income beneficiaries per month [^SNAPstats].
+The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and one of the largest poverty reduction programs in the United States. 68.5% of the 2019-2023 Farm Bill budget is allotted to SNAP [^FarmBill]. The 2021 Fiscal Year SNAP federal budget was $111 billion. [^SNAPFY2021] For comparison, similar welfare programs in FY 2021 - TANF: $30 billion;[^TANFFY2021] Medicaid: $521 billion; Medicare: $868 billion; Social Security: $1.1 trillion. [^MedSSFY2021]
+
+The 2022 SNAP federal budget was $119 billion, aiding approximately 41 million low income beneficiaries per month [^SNAPstats].
Less formally known as food stamps, SNAP works to alleviate food insecurity by providing impoverished households with a monthly income support to purchase food. Eligibility for SNAP benefits are determined through a complex set of requirements that are established at the federal level, with several variations at the state level. The amount of SNAP benefit is allocated according to the number of members in the household, as well as the household's program-specific definition of net income (accounting for gross income, and removing several deductions, including utilities, transportation, and extenuating circumstances like disability or care for the elderly).
@@ -75,15 +77,41 @@ Deductions from gross income to compute net income included the following:
Each of these deductions have different deduction caps that vary with the discretion of each state. See FiscalSim code for more details.
+(SecSNAPstatepolicy)=
## State SNAP policy characteristics
While the basic structure of SNAP established by federal tax code ensures a fundamentally similar format across states, state-by-state variations make minor adjustments to SNAP eligibility and deductions that determine a household's net income. Below is a summary of the most prominent state variations--see the FiscalSim SNAP code for a complete list of state variations.
-The most significant state variations exist with the asset test, varying gross income limits, and deduction caps. States that are more generous with SNAP may abolish the asset test and a gross income limit--no matter how many assets a household has, or what their gross income is, as long as their calculated deductions are great enough to bring them under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, then they may qualify for SNAP. These states may also have larger deduction caps for various expenses, such as utilities. States that are more stringent with SNAP benefits may choose to establish tighter deduction caps, limiting the amount of income that can be deducted to calculate final household net income. These states may also choose to include the various eligibility hurdles--namely, an asset test and an income limit.
-(SecSNAPfootnotes)=
+The most significant state variations exist with the asset test, varying gross income limits, and deduction caps. States that are more generous with SNAP may abolish the asset test and a gross income limit--no matter how many assets a household has, or what their gross income is, as long as their calculated deductions are great enough to bring them under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, then they may qualify for SNAP. These states may also have larger deduction caps for various expenses, such as utilities. States that are more stringent with SNAP benefits may choose to establish tighter deduction caps, limiting the amount of income that can be deducted to calculate final household net income. These states may also choose to include the various eligibility hurdles--namely, an asset test and an income limit.
+
+
+(SecSNAPfarmbill)=
+## SNAP and the Farm Bill
+
+The legislation, procedures, and funding for SNAP come from the Farm Bill. [^FarmBillProcess] Originally enacted in 1933 to support US food and agriculture producers affected by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the current Farm Bill includes 12 titles that support various elements of agriculture and food production. Within the 12 titles, the 3 titles recieving the largest amounts of funding include Title I: Commodities (covers price and income support for farmers who produce widely-traded non-perishable crops); Title XI, Crop Insurance (subsidies to protect against losses in yield); and Title IV, Nutrition (90% of the funding for this Nutrition title goes to SNAP).
+
+The Farm Bill legislation is passed every 5 years. For example, the Farm Bill that was passed in 2018 expires Septembeer 30th, 2023. A year before current legislation expires, lobbying for provisions begins by farm ogranizations, environmental groups, taxpayers, and other groups. [^FarmPrimer] After this public input, both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees draft, debate, and pass separate bill proposals. The Senate Agricultural Committee on Subsidies and Nutrition, and the House Agricultural Committee on Subsidies, Policy, and Oversight, are the two "Ag Committees" that draft these two bills. The two bills are sent to a Conference Committee where they are combined. The combined bill must then be approved by the entire House and Senate. This is the reauthorization process.
+
+The appropriations process determines funding for the various titles and programs in the Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill received $428 billion. SNAP is an "entitlement program," where appropriatons will automatically be granted to fund their program. Other programs recieve "descretionary spending," where funds are granted at the discretion of the Appropriations Committees in Congress. This will be done before October 1st, 2023 for upcoming Farm Bill.
+
+The President then signs the Bill, which has been reauthorized and appropriated, into public law.
+
+The "rulemaking phase" then occurs. After reauthorization and appropriations are complete and the bill has become a law, the USDA establishes specific rules and regulations which are implemented into the Farm Bill programs.
+
+
+(SecSNAPfootnotes)=
## Footnotes
+[^FarmBill]: This {cite}`USDA:2023` USDA webpage outlines distribution of the 2018 Farm Bill (see https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-commodity-policy/farm-bill-spending/).
+
+[^SNAPFY2021]: This {cite}`CBPP:2022` article on the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities website gives an outline of the SNAP program, including its
+FY 2021 budget (see https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap).
+
+[^TANFFY2021]: This {cite}`ACF:2022` article from the DHHS government website outlines TANF spending for FY 2021 (see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/data/tanf-and-moe-spending-and-transfers-activity-fy-2021).
+
+[^MedSSFY2021]: This {cite}`CBO:2022` infographic from the Congressional Budget Office outlines spending for various government programs for Fiscal Year 2021, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security (see https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58270).
+
[^SNAPstats]: The {cite}`Peterson:2023` article gives an overview of the economic statistics of the SNAP program (see https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2023/05/what-is-snap)
[^cost_of_living]: The {cite}`GerstenPaal:2022` policy memo details the SNAP FY 2023 cost of living adjustments (see https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fy-2023-cola). The SNAP allotments only differ among the following three groups--(i) 48 States, DC, Guam, Virgin Islands, (ii) Alaska, and (iii) Hawaii. All of those values increase with inflation each year, but all recipients in the lower 48 states have no difference in benefit amounts and are not adjusted within that group for cost of living.
@@ -102,4 +130,8 @@ The most significant state variations exist with the asset test, varying gross i
[^foodsecurity]: This {cite}`Mande:2023` research article investigates the childhood health impacts of the SNAP program (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36354297/).
-[^SNAPCPS]: This {cite}`Johnson-Motoyama:2022` research article investigates the relationship between state SNAP generostiy and statewide CPS events (see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9280401/).
\ No newline at end of file
+[^SNAPCPS]: This {cite}`Johnson-Motoyama:2022` research article investigates the relationship between state SNAP generostiy and statewide CPS events (see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9280401/).
+
+[^FarmBillProcess]: This {cite}`ERSUSDA:2023` USDA webpage outlines the policy process of the passing of the Farm Bill (see https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-commodity-policy/u-s-farm-policy-and-policy-process/).
+
+[^FarmPrimer]: This `Frye:2023` Farm Bill primer was graciously provided by Jason Frye at Terrapin Strategy consulting.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/_sources/federalstate/tanf/intro.md b/_sources/federalstate/tanf/intro.md
index 51f8301d1..154f246ec 100644
--- a/_sources/federalstate/tanf/intro.md
+++ b/_sources/federalstate/tanf/intro.md
@@ -1,10 +1,79 @@
(Chap_FederalStateTANFintro)=
# Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
-Put TANF intro here.
+Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is an federal block grant that is awarded annually to states to aid impoverished family households. Enacted in 1996 as part of the Welfare Reform Act, TANF has four stated program goals.[^TANFHHS] Those goals are:
+
+1. Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
+2. Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
+3. Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
+4. Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
+
+The TANF block grant funding that states receive must be put towards any combination of these four purposes. There are many ways that states allocate TANF funds. The total amount of the TANF block grant that is given out to states has remained constant at $16.5 billion since its creation in 1996. As a result, its real value has gone down by 40%.[^TANFFAQ] Below is a table that shows TANF spending aggregrated across all 50 states for FY 2020.[^TANFPrimer]
+
+
+| Category | Amount Spent in billions (% Total Spending) |
+| :---: | :---: |
+| Basic Assistance | $7.1 (22%) |
+| Work, Education, and Training Activities | $3.0 (10%) |
+| Work Supports and Supportive Services | $0.8 (2%) |
+| Child Care | $5.2 (17%) |
+| Refundable Tax Credits | $2.8 (9%) |
+| Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start | $2.7 (9%) |
+| Child Welfare | $2.6 (8%) |
+| Program Management | $3.2 (10%) |
+| Other | $4.1 (13%) |
+| Total | $31.5 (100%) |
+
+
+As shown above, the most common use of state TANF funds is cash assistance (indicated in the table as "Basic Assistance). Similar to other welfare programs, the eligibilty and benefit level of TANF cash assistance involves a complex set of calculations that are established at the federal level with some state-by-state variations. Calculations for TANF eligiblity and benefit level are explained further down in this introduction.
+
+In addition to cash assistance, states may use part of their TANF grant to provide non-cash assistance by allocating funds towards services and programs that fulfill one of the four stated program goals. As shown above, the most significant of these include work readiness programs, child care, and refundable tax credits.
+
+States are required to spend dollars from their own budget in order to receive TANF and avoid fiscal penalty. These funds are known as "maintenance of effort" spending.[^UtahTANF] As shown in the above table, in addition to the $16.5 billion TANF block grant, states spent put an additional $15 billion towards TANF assistance and programs.
+
+## TANF Calculations - Cash Assistance
+
+### Eligibility
+
+TANF assistance is given to families if they are both demographically and socioeconomically eligible. To fulfill the demographic eligibility requirement, households must contain children (individuals aged 0-17), pregnant persons, or 18-year olds who are enrolled in high school. To be economically eligible, a family must have an calculated "countable income" lower than a certain level.
+
+### Benefit Amount Calculation
+
+The basic formula for calculating SNAP benefit amount is:
+
+Maximum TANF amount - (Countable Income - Deductions) = TANF benefit
+
+The maximum TANF amount is an amount that is most significantly affected by household size. Each state has a specific maximum benefit level for 1-person, 2-person, etc. households. Additionally, some states elect to set different maximum cash benefit TANF amounts for different counties to reflect major categories of differences in CPI. Also, some states choose to offer slightly more TANF cash benefits to those households containing elderly or disabled persons.
+
+The countable income of a household includes the following sources of income: employment, self-employment, dividend, interest, GI cash assistance, Social Security, and SSI.
+
+There are two deductions that are then applied to the countable income of a household. First, a flat earned income deduction is applied. This amount varies across states, but for reference, the flat earned income deduction in California is $600 per month. Then, a percentage earned income deduction is applied. This percentage also varies across states, but for reference, the percent earned income deduction in Illinois is 75%.
+
+## TANF Calculations - Non-cash Benefits/BBCE
+
+### Eligibility
+
+There are a separate set of eligibility calculations that are performed to determine if a household is available for non-cash TANF-funded benefits (such as a child care service or work program). These eligibility requirements are easier to satisfy than TANF cash asssistance benefit requirements.
+
+In some states, if a household is non-cash TANF eligibile, then they automatically become categorically eligible to recieve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as well. This categorical SNAP eligibility through non-cash TANF eligibility is referred to as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE).
+
+3 main eligibility requirements for non-cash TANF benefits include an asset limit, an gross income limit, and a net income limit.
+
+While the asset limit varies between states, the most common limit amongst states is $3,500. Some state exceptions include abolishing the asset limit if a household's income is below 200% FPL or if a disabled or elder person in the household, or simply adjusting the asset limit to best reflect the cost of living in that state.
+
+The gross income limit varies across states, but generally can be as low as 130% FPL, or as high as 200% of FPL.
+
+The net income limit also varies across states.
+
(SecFederalStateTANFintroFootnotes)=
## Footnotes
-
+[^TANFHHS]: This {cite}`HHS:2022` TANF summary page from the Office of Family Assistance in the Department of Health and Human services outlines the basic purposes of TANF (see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf/about).
+
+[^TANFFAQ]: This {cite}`CRS:2018` TANF Frequently Asked Questions document from the Congressional Research Service explains that TANF funds have been locked at $16.5 billion since 1996 (see https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32760/154).
+
+[^TANFPrimer]: This {cite}`CBPP2:2022` TANF Policy Basics page from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities outlines the history and basic functions of TANF. It also provides the information for the listed national TANF expenses (see https://www.cbpp.org/research/income-security/temporary-assistance-for-needy-families).
+
+[^UtahTANF]: This {cite}`USL:2022` TANF summary page from the Utah State Legislature website explains the maintenance of effort aspect of TANF (see https://budget.utah.gov/what-in-the-tanf/).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/appendix/intro.html b/appendix/intro.html
index 92b23dc42..d169fb32c 100644
--- a/appendix/intro.html
+++ b/appendix/intro.html
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
-
+
diff --git a/citations.html b/citations.html
index 65e4e2fd6..c068e010f 100644
--- a/citations.html
+++ b/citations.html
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
-
+
diff --git a/federal/irs/intro.html b/federal/irs/intro.html
index c0c0ede66..82f7f1c95 100644
--- a/federal/irs/intro.html
+++ b/federal/irs/intro.html
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
-
+
diff --git a/federalstate/snap/intro.html b/federalstate/snap/intro.html
index fecadefb1..ea109acb0 100644
--- a/federalstate/snap/intro.html
+++ b/federalstate/snap/intro.html
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
-
+
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@
const thebe_selector_output = ".output, .cell_output"
+
+
@@ -406,6 +408,7 @@
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and one of the largest poverty reduction programs in the United States. The 2022 SNAP federal budget was $119 billion, aiding approximately 41 million low income beneficiaries per month [1].
+
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and one of the largest poverty reduction programs in the United States. 68.5% of the 2019-2023 Farm Bill budget is allotted to SNAP [1]. The 2021 Fiscal Year SNAP federal budget was \(111 billion. [^SNAPFY2021] For comparison, similar welfare programs in FY 2021 - TANF: \)30 billion;[2] Medicaid: \(521 billion; Medicare: \)868 billion; Social Security: $1.1 trillion. [3]
+
The 2022 SNAP federal budget was $119 billion, aiding approximately 41 million low income beneficiaries per month [4].
Less formally known as food stamps, SNAP works to alleviate food insecurity by providing impoverished households with a monthly income support to purchase food. Eligibility for SNAP benefits are determined through a complex set of requirements that are established at the federal level, with several variations at the state level. The amount of SNAP benefit is allocated according to the number of members in the household, as well as the household’s program-specific definition of net income (accounting for gross income, and removing several deductions, including utilities, transportation, and extenuating circumstances like disability or care for the elderly).
-
While state variations exist, the basic structure of SNAP allotment remains the same: disbursed SNAP monthly allottment varies according to household net income, number of household members, deductions, disability, and elderly household members. Interesting to note is that across states with various CPIs and standards of living, household quantity and determined household net income are associated with the same amount of SNAP allotment. For example, a family of 3 making $18,000 per year in the Bay Area recieves as much SNAP benefits as a family of 3 in rural Utah with similar characteristics making $18,000 per year, despite vast differences in the purchasing power of those SNAP dollars.[2]
-
Although a 4-year period from 1939 to 1943 marked the first use of a food stamp program, the first Food Stamp Pilot Program occurred in 1961 from an executive order from President Kennedy.[3] In 1964, the Food Stamp Act was passed to make the Food Stamp Program permanent.[4] This orginal Food Stamp program, like the current iteration, was federally funded, with the states being responsible for certification and issuance of benefits.
-
Since 1964, many legislative changes in the SNAP program have been passed, including its funding, changes to eligibility requirements, deduction specifics, and allotment amounts. Between 1988 and 2004, food stamp benefits began to be disbursed through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, as opposed to manual vouchers.[5] In 2008, the program name was changed from “Food Stamp Program” to “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP).[6] Under that same 2008 Farm Bill, a nutrition education component of the program was created and came to be known as SNAP-Ed. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2023, emergency allotments were added to increase SNAP benefits. These emergency allotments were terminated in March of 2023 with the end of the pandemic.[7]
-
Much research exists investigating the effects of SNAP on various outcomes. Researchers monitor SNAP’s economic effects (as a poverty reduction tool) [8], its nutritional effects (as a food security tool) [9], and even a growing amount of research investigates various other markers of well-being and development outcomes related to SNAP use (such as CPS and neglect events, child academic performance, and parental depression rates) [10].
+
While state variations exist, the basic structure of SNAP allotment remains the same: disbursed SNAP monthly allottment varies according to household net income, number of household members, deductions, disability, and elderly household members. Interesting to note is that across states with various CPIs and standards of living, household quantity and determined household net income are associated with the same amount of SNAP allotment. For example, a family of 3 making $18,000 per year in the Bay Area recieves as much SNAP benefits as a family of 3 in rural Utah with similar characteristics making $18,000 per year, despite vast differences in the purchasing power of those SNAP dollars.[5]
+
Although a 4-year period from 1939 to 1943 marked the first use of a food stamp program, the first Food Stamp Pilot Program occurred in 1961 from an executive order from President Kennedy.[6] In 1964, the Food Stamp Act was passed to make the Food Stamp Program permanent.[7] This orginal Food Stamp program, like the current iteration, was federally funded, with the states being responsible for certification and issuance of benefits.
+
Since 1964, many legislative changes in the SNAP program have been passed, including its funding, changes to eligibility requirements, deduction specifics, and allotment amounts. Between 1988 and 2004, food stamp benefits began to be disbursed through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, as opposed to manual vouchers.[8] In 2008, the program name was changed from “Food Stamp Program” to “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP).[9] Under that same 2008 Farm Bill, a nutrition education component of the program was created and came to be known as SNAP-Ed. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2023, emergency allotments were added to increase SNAP benefits. These emergency allotments were terminated in March of 2023 with the end of the pandemic.[10]
+
Much research exists investigating the effects of SNAP on various outcomes. Researchers monitor SNAP’s economic effects (as a poverty reduction tool) [11], its nutritional effects (as a food security tool) [12], and even a growing amount of research investigates various other markers of well-being and development outcomes related to SNAP use (such as CPS and neglect events, child academic performance, and parental depression rates) [13].
While the basic structure of SNAP established by federal tax code ensures a fundamentally similar format across states, state-by-state variations make minor adjustments to SNAP eligibility and deductions that determine a household’s net income. Below is a summary of the most prominent state variations–see the FiscalSim SNAP code for a complete list of state variations.
The most significant state variations exist with the asset test, varying gross income limits, and deduction caps. States that are more generous with SNAP may abolish the asset test and a gross income limit–no matter how many assets a household has, or what their gross income is, as long as their calculated deductions are great enough to bring them under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, then they may qualify for SNAP. These states may also have larger deduction caps for various expenses, such as utilities. States that are more stringent with SNAP benefits may choose to establish tighter deduction caps, limiting the amount of income that can be deducted to calculate final household net income. These states may also choose to include the various eligibility hurdles–namely, an asset test and an income limit.
The legislation, procedures, and funding for SNAP come from the Farm Bill. [14] Originally enacted in 1933 to support US food and agriculture producers affected by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the current Farm Bill includes 12 titles that support various elements of agriculture and food production. Within the 12 titles, the 3 titles recieving the largest amounts of funding include Title I: Commodities (covers price and income support for farmers who produce widely-traded non-perishable crops); Title XI, Crop Insurance (subsidies to protect against losses in yield); and Title IV, Nutrition (90% of the funding for this Nutrition title goes to SNAP).
+
The Farm Bill legislation is passed every 5 years. For example, the Farm Bill that was passed in 2018 expires Septembeer 30th, 2023. A year before current legislation expires, lobbying for provisions begins by farm ogranizations, environmental groups, taxpayers, and other groups. [15] After this public input, both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees draft, debate, and pass separate bill proposals. The Senate Agricultural Committee on Subsidies and Nutrition, and the House Agricultural Committee on Subsidies, Policy, and Oversight, are the two “Ag Committees” that draft these two bills. The two bills are sent to a Conference Committee where they are combined. The combined bill must then be approved by the entire House and Senate. This is the reauthorization process.
+
The appropriations process determines funding for the various titles and programs in the Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill received $428 billion. SNAP is an “entitlement program,” where appropriatons will automatically be granted to fund their program. Other programs recieve “descretionary spending,” where funds are granted at the discretion of the Appropriations Committees in Congress. This will be done before October 1st, 2023 for upcoming Farm Bill.
+
The President then signs the Bill, which has been reauthorized and appropriated, into public law.
+
The “rulemaking phase” then occurs. After reauthorization and appropriations are complete and the bill has become a law, the USDA establishes specific rules and regulations which are implemented into the Farm Bill programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is an federal block grant that is awarded annually to states to aid impoverished family households. Enacted in 1996 as part of the Welfare Reform Act, TANF has four stated program goals.[1] Those goals are:
+
+
Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
+
Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
+
Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
+
Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
+
+
The TANF block grant funding that states receive must be put towards any combination of these four purposes. There are many ways that states allocate TANF funds. The total amount of the TANF block grant that is given out to states has remained constant at $16.5 billion since its creation in 1996. As a result, its real value has gone down by 40%.[2] Below is a table that shows TANF spending aggregrated across all 50 states for FY 2020.[3]
+
+
+
Category
+
Amount Spent in billions (% Total Spending)
+
+
+
+
Basic Assistance
+
$7.1 (22%)
+
+
Work, Education, and Training Activities
+
$3.0 (10%)
+
+
Work Supports and Supportive Services
+
$0.8 (2%)
+
+
Child Care
+
$5.2 (17%)
+
+
Refundable Tax Credits
+
$2.8 (9%)
+
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Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start
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$2.7 (9%)
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Child Welfare
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$2.6 (8%)
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Program Management
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$3.2 (10%)
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Other
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$4.1 (13%)
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Total
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$31.5 (100%)
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As shown above, the most common use of state TANF funds is cash assistance (indicated in the table as “Basic Assistance). Similar to other welfare programs, the eligibilty and benefit level of TANF cash assistance involves a complex set of calculations that are established at the federal level with some state-by-state variations. Calculations for TANF eligiblity and benefit level are explained further down in this introduction.
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In addition to cash assistance, states may use part of their TANF grant to provide non-cash assistance by allocating funds towards services and programs that fulfill one of the four stated program goals. As shown above, the most significant of these include work readiness programs, child care, and refundable tax credits.
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States are required to spend dollars from their own budget in order to receive TANF and avoid fiscal penalty. These funds are known as “maintenance of effort” spending.[4] As shown in the above table, in addition to the \(16.5 billion TANF block grant, states spent put an additional \)15 billion towards TANF assistance and programs.
TANF assistance is given to families if they are both demographically and socioeconomically eligible. To fulfill the demographic eligibility requirement, households must contain children (individuals aged 0-17), pregnant persons, or 18-year olds who are enrolled in high school. To be economically eligible, a family must have an calculated “countable income” lower than a certain level.
The basic formula for calculating SNAP benefit amount is:
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Maximum TANF amount - (Countable Income - Deductions) = TANF benefit
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The maximum TANF amount is an amount that is most significantly affected by household size. Each state has a specific maximum benefit level for 1-person, 2-person, etc. households. Additionally, some states elect to set different maximum cash benefit TANF amounts for different counties to reflect major categories of differences in CPI. Also, some states choose to offer slightly more TANF cash benefits to those households containing elderly or disabled persons.
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The countable income of a household includes the following sources of income: employment, self-employment, dividend, interest, GI cash assistance, Social Security, and SSI.
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There are two deductions that are then applied to the countable income of a household. First, a flat earned income deduction is applied. This amount varies across states, but for reference, the flat earned income deduction in California is $600 per month. Then, a percentage earned income deduction is applied. This percentage also varies across states, but for reference, the percent earned income deduction in Illinois is 75%.
There are a separate set of eligibility calculations that are performed to determine if a household is available for non-cash TANF-funded benefits (such as a child care service or work program). These eligibility requirements are easier to satisfy than TANF cash asssistance benefit requirements.
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In some states, if a household is non-cash TANF eligibile, then they automatically become categorically eligible to recieve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as well. This categorical SNAP eligibility through non-cash TANF eligibility is referred to as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE).
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3 main eligibility requirements for non-cash TANF benefits include an asset limit, an gross income limit, and a net income limit.
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While the asset limit varies between states, the most common limit amongst states is $3,500. Some state exceptions include abolishing the asset limit if a household’s income is below 200% FPL or if a disabled or elder person in the household, or simply adjusting the asset limit to best reflect the cost of living in that state.
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The gross income limit varies across states, but generally can be as low as 130% FPL, or as high as 200% of FPL.