Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) today congratulated Mayor Vincent Gray’s finding $11 million for a six month delay in the 25% reduction in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

“This is the right course of action,” said Graham.  “The Department of Human Services has reviewed only 1,500 cases out of the more than 6,000 long term TANF recipients.  Before we even think about cuts, every case has to be reviewed.”

To affect the delay, the Council must act on emergency legislation immediately upon its return from recess.   Failing that, the Department of Human Services will notify TANF recipients of more than 60 months that their monthly benefits are being reduced by 25% starting October 1, 2012.

“The positive turn of events is the direct result of the success of my meeting with the Mayor in July.  During that dialogue, stakeholders, advocates and I persuaded the Mayor that what was about to happen would be a draconian cut and he agreed,” said Graham.

The funds to delay the TANF cuts came from the District’s moving Special Ed students back to DC public schools from private placements, a decrease in Healthcare Alliance caseload (due to limiting benefits only to DC residents who qualify) and from a reduction in the Child and Family Services Agency’s caseload.

Pending Council action, those on TANF longer than 60 months will not face the 25% reduction in their monthly benefits until April 1, 2013 and not before their case has been properly reviewed.