Human Services Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6635
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE.
Vote Date: 4/1/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/25/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Human Services Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This legislation, passed with Joint Favorable Substitute language, would extend the benefits
of temporary family assistance from twenty-one months to sixty months. Months associated
with the public health crisis declared by Governor Ned Lamont will be excluded from any time
limit under the program. The Department of Social Services would be required to provide a
cost-of-living adjustment equal to the most recent percentage increase in the consumer price
index. It also grants the Commissioner of Social Services the ability to exempt a family from
time-limited benefits under certain circumstances. The bill is intended to improve assistance
to families experiencing financial hardship.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, Connecticut Department of Social Services, Commissioner:
Commissioner Gifford is opposed to the bill as written for several reasons. The policy in this
legislation is not in accordance to the Governor's budget and money is not allocated to fund
the changes in this bill. Dr. Gifford states Connecticut is at a low level of enrollment and
expanding the time-limit on future enrollments will result in increasing costs associated with
the change. The elimination of "family cap" would increase the benefit of families.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Elizabeth Fraser, Connecticut Association for Human Services: Believes the current statute
does not provide enough time to fulfill its purpose of assisting families back on their feet
following hardships. Connecticut funds TANF at 8%, while the national average is 21%.
Dr. Stephen Tomczak, National Association of Social Workers: Restrictive time-limit policies
have exacerbated poverty and economic insecurity for low-income families. Family cap
policies have proven to be harmful to children and families. The cost-of-living in Connecticut
is high and the burden falls disproportionately on low-income families.
Ife Floyd, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: The changes in the proposal are long
overdue. Extending the time limit to 60 months gives families more time to stabilize when
they fall on hard times. Connecticut's 21 months are less than the regional and national level.
Most families do not remain on the program for the full 60 months but granting the opportunity
for families is essential.
Center for Law and Social Policy: The family cap penalizes mothers who have children
receiving cash assistance by reducing the additional benefit amount that families can receive
for such children by 50%. This cap is outdated. This bill would increase access to financial
support for low-income families, reduce child poverty, and promote positive outcomes for
mothers and children.
Myra Duran, If When How: Aims to repeal racist eugenic family caps in temporary assistance
for needy families policies. Welfare caps are designed to coerce low-income people into not
having children and they exacerbate poverty, increase food and housing insecurity, and
worsen health and social outcomes.
Madri Hall-Faul: 14% of Connecticut's children live in poverty and represent the largest share
of the population in poverty. Cash transfers have been shown to be the most effective means
of lifting families out of poverty.
Alison Weir, Greater Hartford Legal Aid: The current pandemic exhibits how a 21 month
period is not enough time to recover from a job loss, particularly during a widespread
recession. Relatively few people stay on the program for 21 months. Nationally, 63% of
participants on the program receive benefits for one year or less.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None offered.
Reported by: Cassandra Gallion Date: April 6, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-6635


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 507:
APP Joint Favorable: