Increased Support for Grandfamilies: Expanding Social Security and Easing TANF Rules.
This Act aims to strengthen financial and legal support for grandparents and other relatives raising children (grandfamilies). It expands access to Social Security benefits for children in kinship care and removes significant barriers within the TANF program, such as disregarding caregiver income and eliminating time limits and work requirements for older caregivers. The goal is to ensure greater stability and resources for these families without imposing undue burdens on the relatives providing care.
Key points
Expands eligibility for Social Security benefits to children being raised by a wider range of relatives (up to fifth-degree), provided they have lived with and been supported by the relative for at least 12 months.
TANF rule change: States must ignore the income and assets of non-parent caregivers when determining a child's eligibility for assistance (in 'child-only' cases).
Eliminates the 5-year lifetime limit and work requirements under TANF for older caregivers (generally 55+) and those caring for a child with a disability.
Provides federal funding incentives for States to adopt simple, low-cost temporary guardianship laws for kinship caregivers, including reduced court fees.
Establishes new grant programs to fund local grassroots support and cross-sector partnerships for grandfamilies, focusing on health, well-being, and financial security.
Expired
Citizen Poll