State economists attributed the decreasing caseload "primarily" to "persistently falling child poverty rates." (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
The number of Florida residents relying on temporary financial assistance to make ends meet is decreasing but the average amount of grants awarded is on the rise.
July data released by the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) show the state expects 24,234 people to benefit from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, referred to as TANF, in state fiscal year 2026-27.
That’s a 30% reduction from the 34,718 people previously estimated to benefit from the program between July 1 and June 30, 2027 and that legislators relied on when crafting the state budget.
The 24,000-plus people represents 14,574 caseloads. The economists who serve on the EDR previously anticipated there would be 19,346 caseloads for FY 26-27.
Overall, the program is expected to cost $47.6 million this fiscal year, which is less than the $63.1 million included in the current year budget to cover the costs.
Sitting as the Social Services Estimating conference, the economists said in an executive summary the decreasing caseload is “primarily related to persistently falling child poverty rates.”
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TANF is a federally funded program that provides cash assistance and support services to lower-income families with children. The TANF program in Florida is called Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and is administered by the Department of Children and Families.
TCA provides up to 48 months of financial support to low-income Florida families to help cover essential needs. To qualify, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen, have a Social Security number, have an annual income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level or $61,050 or less a year, and have a child living with them. Families must cooperate with child support enforcement.
Young children (those under age five) must be vaccinated while children aged 6-18 must regularly attend school to qualify. Additionally, the rules require most adults to participate in at least 35 hours per week of approved work activities, which include job searches, community service, or training.
Caseloads and people served aren’t the only data points being revised downward by economists. The average family size went from just under 1.8 people per caseload to about 1.6 per caseload.
Bucking the downward trend, however, is the average size of the grant per person.
Data show economists predict a $143.24 TANF grant per person in FY 26-27, which is slightly higher than the previous estimated award of $134.34 per person.
Courtesy of Florida Phoenix
