PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge Your Senators to Extend the TANF Emergency Fund NOW
  1. Signatures
    91 out of 100
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate
  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 will soon be making budget decisions for their upcoming fiscal years, most of which begin on July 1. Cutbacks in TANF programs are likely unless states know they'll still have the Emergency Fund to draw on.

The Senate will soon act on the overdue extensions to unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies. It could--and should--include the Emergency Fund extension in this package.

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

Recent Signatures

Extend & Expand the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund Now

Dear Senator:

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 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 Contingency Fund when you act on extensions of unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies.

Thank you for considering this request. Special thanks if you have already called for an immediate extension of the fund.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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