Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families awarded Connecticut Department of Social Services a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant totaling $199.4 million for the fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). Under CFDA 93.558, Connecticut implements comprehensive assistance programs designed to support low-income families with children, promote economic self-sufficiency through job preparation and work initiatives, and encourage family stability and two-parent household formation. The award provides quarterly Family Assistance Grant payments distributed through the Division of Payment Management following Connecticut's state TANF plan approval by HHS.

Connecticut Department of Social Services administers TANF-funded services including financial assistance to eligible families, employment training and job preparation programs, child care support, and nutrition assistance initiatives. As a sub-awardee partnership, the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) Fiscal Division receives TANF transfers effective January 26, 2026, to fund child care licensure, the Care4Kids subsidized child care program for eligible families, and child day care programs providing early care and education to children meeting program eligibility requirements. This collaborative structure enables Connecticut to deliver integrated social services across multiple state agencies while leveraging federal block grant flexibility to address local workforce development and family support needs throughout the state.