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DHS outlines step-down TANF policy, hardship work group to limit harms from 60‑month rule
Summary
DHS told the committee it will implement a 60‑month TANF step-down beginning Oct. 1, 2026 with a hardship policy to protect families; about half of current TANF households may be over 60 months, DHS estimates, and the agency plans exemptions and outreach.
DHS briefed council members on a planned TANF step-down that would phase benefits for households who have received TANF for more than 60 months. DHS said the step-down will begin in fiscal year 2027 and be phased (25% reduction, then 50%, then 25% in subsequent years) with a hardship policy to stop the clock or mitigate impacts when appropriate.
DHS staff told the committee roughly half of families currently receiving TANF are over the 60‑month threshold and that about 25% of that group may qualify for hardship exemptions. Pierre said the hardship work group includes council members, agency partners and consumer advocates and that the group will produce a hardship policy before the step-down starts. "We are developing a robust hardship policy to ensure that families facing significant barriers are protected," she said.
