Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Missouri Department of Social Services received a $54.1 million Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant award from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). Under CFDA 93.558, Missouri will provide financial assistance and supportive services to low-income families with children, with the overarching goal of enabling children to remain in their own homes or with relatives while promoting parental self-sufficiency through employment and work preparation initiatives.

The state will implement comprehensive services aligned with its TANF plan, including cash assistance payments, job training and employment services, child care support, and family stability initiatives designed to reduce dependence on government benefits and encourage two-parent family formation. As the designated state agency for federal social services administration, the Missouri Department of Social Services will distribute funds quarterly through sub-recipients including local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and community action agencies to support statewide service delivery networks serving vulnerable and low-income populations across the state.