Springfield, IL-(Vandalia Radio)- Families living near the poverty line in Illinois could soon see a boost in their TANF (TAN-if) benefits. TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and provides 30 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for each family size. A bill by Representative Marcus Evans would increase that amount to 50 percent.
Representative Tom Demmer agrees with allowing dollars for child support to go directly to parents or guardians instead of the current system where the state withholds some of the money.
The cost of the increase will be in the neighborhood of $40 million dollars, but funding for the TANF program comes from federal block grants. The bill passed the House and is headed to the Senate for consideration.
The Senate is off Friday and returns late Monday. Session ends April 8.
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