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U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, a member of the House Ways
and Means Committee on Work and Welfare, said fixing the TANF
program should be a bipartisan effort.
“We should be able to work together to improve accountability in
this vital program,” LaHood said. “It's time to reclaim TANF
funds to ensure dollars are intentionally focused on removing
barriers to work, reducing dependency and growing the capacity
of individuals to realize their full potential.”
In
Mississippi, former Human Services Director John Davis has
pleaded guilty to charges tied to welfare misspending in one of
the state's largest public corruption cases.
The scandal has ensnared some high-profile figures, including
former NFL quarterback Brett Farve, who allegedly secured $5
million for a volleyball court for his alma mater, the
University of Southern Mississippi.
“Current TANF law lacks basic financial safeguards included in
most other federal programs, making it easy for states to divert
funds and increasing the risk of fraud and abuse,” LaHood said.
Those who do qualify in Mississippi get the lowest payments in
the country, according to the Center for Budget and Policy
Priorities. Illinois' TANF benefit, tied to 30% of poverty, has
increased to $549 a month for a family of three.
Illinois has dealt with welfare fraud issues. The Chicago Public
School District faced “persistent and widespread fraud” by
highly-paid employees taking advantage of food stamp and
state-subsidized health care benefits by underreporting their
income, according to a 2022 annual report from the district’s
Office of Inspector General.
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