The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has issued a new Information Memorandum (IM) regarding restrictions on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for non-qualified aliens. This IM provides information on applicable laws prohibiting illegal aliens and other non-citizens who do not meet the statutory definition of a qualified alien from receiving TANF-funded federal public benefits. In accordance with these laws and President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14218 “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” OFA strongly encourages states to enhance their TANF eligibility verification systems and subrecipient monitoring procedures to ensure non-qualified aliens, including those unlawfully present in the United States, do not receive federal TANF benefits.
This IM follows the March 2025 letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families, ensuring TANF’s alignment with EO 14218.