2. Five State TANF Policies Work Requirements Cash Diversion Programs Lifetime Limits Sanctions Service Integration

4. Work requirements Rules requiring a person engage in work or work-related activities before being eligible for aid or to remain eligible for aid TANF considers 12 different activities “work- related activites” Georgia currently allows a 3 month period where recipients do not have to be engaged in a work related activity.

5. Cash Diversion Program Policies allowing case workers to give applicants lump sum cash payment to meet short-term needs “Divert” the family from the immediate crisis and the need for ongoing TANF benefits. 33 states have this program; GA is not one

6. Lifetime Limits Limits on eligibility for aid, typically five years or less, intended to help recipients to meet short-term needs Georgia currently has reduced their limits to 48 months, so they have taken steps in the right direction, although other states have reduced even further.

7. Sanctions Measure proven by objective study to be effective in securing compliance by TANF recipients with work and or other requirements. Study: being sanctioned increases the likelihood of transition off TANF cash assistance, and this effect increases with the duration of the sanction. Georgia has partial sanctions with a minimum length of sanction up to 3 months. We recommend full family sanctions for 2-3 months.

8. Service Integration Organizing state human services in order to allow coordinated, holistic, “one-stop” delivery of services and connects these services to the local community and employers Keen interest for lawmakers Georgia scored a C on service integration

9. Where Neighboring States Rank