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Temporary Assistance For Needy Families: The Top 10 ‘Real Facts’ About Fraud and Abuse
| 10 | People who get TANF get the benefit forever.
Real Facts: Since the program began in 1997, 63,000 Maine families have left the TANF program. 71 percent of recipients receive benefits for 1 year or less; 85 percent receive benefits for 2 years or less. Two-thirds of recipients are children. |
| 9 | Mom’s boyfriend lives in the home and her kids are still receiving benefits. This is fraud.
Real Facts: Only the biological or adoptive parents are legally responsible for the children’s support, per Federal law. |
| 8 | The father visits all the time, yet they still get benefits.
Real Facts: A non-custodial parent has the right to visit TANF children in accordance with court visitation orders. If a parent has moved back in, or is in the home nearly all the time, the family may no longer be eligible. |
| 7 | There’s a lot of fraud in Maine’s welfare programs.
Real Facts: Maine’s documented rate of fraud in the TANF Program is 2/10ths of 1 percent. The average rate of fraud nationwide is 4 percent. |
| 6 | People are moving to Maine because of it rich benefits.
Real Facts: Maine has the lowest TANF benefit in New England. Over the last 5 years, more than 5 times as many people on welfare left Maine than moved in. |
| 5 | Mom and dad are divorced, but live together and get benefits.
Real Facts: This is not allowable. We encourage this to be reported to the Office of Integrated Access and Support at the number below. |
| 4 | There are a lot of 'deadbeat dads' who should be paying for their children instead of the State. Real Facts: Maine has an extensive and successful child support collection program. Recovered funds help offset the state’s TANF cost. |
| 3 | There are no time limits for eligibility.
Real Facts: Eligibility is reviewed monthly and there are time limits. A person must comply with their plan to move to self-sufficiency to receive benefits. |
| 2 | TANF benefits are so high, they discourage people from working.
Real Facts: The maximum benefit for a family of three is $485 per month, 66% below the federal poverty level. Even when food stamps are added, TANF families are 35% below the federal poverty level. |
| 1 | Why don’t people just get a real job?
Real Facts: Maine has the highest rate of working TANF recipients in New England and is fifth in the nation in retaining TANF jobs. |
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