H.R. 8872
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
Sponsor: Mike Carey · 8 cosponsors
Follow this bill
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
This bill limits how and when states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and establishes an eligibility threshold for all TANF-funded assistance and services.
Currently, each state sets its own eligibility threshold for TANF-funded cash assistance. The bill establishes an upper limit on eligibility applicable to all assistance and services (including non-cash benefits) funded by TANF family assistance grants. Under this provision, only families with income under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive TANF-funded assistance and services.
Further, the bill generally requires states to obligate TANF funds by the end of the fiscal year after they are paid and to spend funds by the end of the second fiscal year after they are paid. However, states may reserve a specified portion of their TANF funds for future use. (There is currently no requirement to use TANF funds within a specified period.)
The bill also explicitly requires states to use federal TANF funds to supplement, not replace, state and local funding for TANF-supported programs. (Current law requires states to spend a specified minimum amount on TANF-eligible activities and populations, known as the maintenance of effort requirement.)
States must also take specified steps to track and report on improper payments of federal funds (e.g., overpayments, underpayments, payments to ineligible recipients). Within one year of enactment, HHS must submit to Congress a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments made by states under the TANF program within 10 years.
Text of the bill
Where this section came from
-
May 19, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means, May 19
-
May 29, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Ways and Means, May 21 Reported by House Committee on Ways and Means, May 29 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
… 2 unchanged passages …
(l) Applicability of payment integrity law. The Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 shall apply to a State
in
with
respect
of
to
the State program funded under this part in the same manner in which such Act applies to a Federal agency.
… 2 unchanged passages …
What is a markup?
A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.
(a) In general. Section 404 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 604) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(l) Applicability of payment integrity law. The Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 shall apply to a State with respect to the State program funded under this part in the same manner in which such Act applies to a Federal agency.
(b) Report to Congress. Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Congress a written report that contains a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments made by States under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act within 10 years.