PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge Your Congressional Representatives to Extend the TANF Emergency Fund
  1. Signatures
    70 out of 100
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The U.S. Senate
      • The U.S. House of Representatives
  2. Created By
    Kathryn Baer
    Washington, DC
About this Petition Petition Letter

The TANF Emergency Contingency Fund has been helping states provide basic assistance, subsidized jobs and short-term benefits to the growing number of families who've fallen into poverty because of the recession.

The fund will expire on September 30 unless Congress extends it. But Congress mustn't wait that long because state legislatures are making budget decisions for their upcoming fiscal years now. Cutbacks in TANF programs are likely unless states know they'll still have the Emergency Fund to draw on.

The House and Senate are negotiating a final version of a bill to extend expanded unemployment benefits, COBRA subsidies and the increased federal support for state Medicaid programs. They could-and should-include the Emergency Fund extension in this package.

Tell your elected representatives that you want them to extend and expand the TANF Emergency Fund now.

Recent Signatures

Extend the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund Now

Dear Member of Congress:

The TANF Emergency Contingency Fund has been helping states provide basic assistance, subsidized jobs and short-term benefits to the growing number of families who have fallen into poverty because of the recession.

As you know, the fund will expire on September 30. However, state legislatures will be making budget decisions much sooner because the fiscal year in most states begins on July 1. At least 100,000 subsidized jobs and other support for low-income families are at high risk because states have no assurance they will be able to draw on the fund throughout their new fiscal year.

Please extend and expand the TANF Emergency Fund when you act on further extensions of unemployment benefits, COBRA subsidies and the enhanced federal match for state Medicaid programs.

Thank you for considering this request.

[Your name]

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