The New Welfare Law: State Implementation and Use of the Family Violence Option

This paper explores the impact of implementing the U.S. federal welfare law entitled, The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). In particular, it looks at how the use of the Family Violence Option and the federal block grant program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), might effect battered women and their children. Its intended primary audiences are domestic violence advocates and others working on domestic violence or welfare issues. Information is provided on: interpreting and implementing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; the effects of PRWORA on battered women and their children; policy and program responses; an explanation of domestic violence references in the TANF section including the hardship exemption to the 60 month limit on assistance, and, the Family Violence Option; and, a discussion of the Family Violence Option and some recommendations. The paper also includes a definition list of frequently used terms. This is the second in a series of complementary welfare policy and practice papers produced as part of the Welfare and Domestic Violence Technical Assistance Initiative with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence(NRC) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence(NNEDV).