The Fiscal Year 2024 Report on Standard Budgets of Assistance for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) provides an overview of the financial assistance available to low-income families with children and pregnant women in Massachusetts. The report, mandated by state law, evaluates the adequacy of TAFDC grant levels in relation to standard budgets and the consumer price index, emphasizing the need to compare these levels to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). It notes that TAFDC benefits are determined annually by the Legislature and highlights the program's evolution from Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) to a focus on promoting self-reliance and economic mobility through various support services. For FY24, TAFDC benefit levels remain unchanged, with grants significantly below the poverty threshold, while supplementary benefits such as rent and childcare assistance are also discussed.

The bill also establishes a 24-month time limit within a 60-month period for work-required clients in the TAFDC program and introduces the DTA Pathways to Work Program, aimed at enhancing employment services for TAFDC clients. This program will provide tailored career pathways and additional resources for training and education to help families overcome employment barriers and achieve economic independence. The report highlights the financial impact of part-time earnings and tax credits on TAFDC households, showing that the total benefit package has increased significantly from FY85 to FY24, with the TAFDC grant rising from $4,752 to $9,876. The overarching goal of the TAFDC program is to assist families in meeting their basic needs while promoting long-term economic mobility and reducing reliance on public benefits.