SS 147-20

3. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule.

200 hours

4. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule.

Wisconsin Works agencies, Wisconsin Works participants, Wisconsin Works assistance group members, and community-based organizations supporting low-income families.

5. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule.

Federal law requires states to restrict TANF-funded cash assistance to “needy” families. States define the criteria for determining whether a family is financially needy and eligible for TANF cash assistance, as specified in their TANF state plans. Federal law does not require states to administer an asset test to determine if a family is financially needy.

45 CFR 260.20 provides the four purposes for the TANF program. The first two statutory purposes of the TANF program are expressly for the needy:

- Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.

- End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage.

45 CFR 263.2 (b) provides that State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds may only be used for or on behalf of eligible families who must be financially needy and consist of, at a minimum, a child living with a relative or a pregnant woman. 45 CFR 263.2 (b) (3) further specifies that the state determines if a family is financially eligible according to the appropriate income and resource (when applicable) standards established by the state and contained in its TANF plan.

42 USC 602 (a) provides that states must submit a plan to outline how the state intends to conduct a program that provides assistance to needy families with or expecting children and provides parents with job preparation, work and support services to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient. The State Plan must provide objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility.

6. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small business):

Minimal or no economic impact on small business

Contact Person:

Janice Peters, Deputy Division Administrator

Division of Family and Economic Security

[e-mail]

[phone]