To address this issue, some states have  employed domestic violence specialists. Each of these states reported  that they make some effort to screen clients for domestic violence, refer  clients to domestic violence services, and offer waivers of certain TANF  program requirements. Such tools vary in detail and depth of inquiry. For  example, 20 states screen when a client fails to meet the conditions of  cash assistance. Five states that have adopted the Family Violence Option or a comparable  policy reported that they do not actively screen TANF clients for domestic  violence. Although HHS has funded research on state TANF program approaches to  domestic violence screening, HHS officials also told us that the agency has  not provided state TANF programs with specific advice in the form of  policy guidance or memoranda regarding best practices in domestic  violence screening. To Address the Needs of Victims of Domestic Violence, Most States Use Waivers and Refer Clients to Local Service Providers

State TANF programs play an important role by offering victims of  domestic violence waivers from TANF program requirements and helping  them obtain needed services. Although most states will waive certain  TANF requirements, the provisions of these waivers vary from state to  state. Most States Waive Requirements for Work, Time Limits, and Child Support

Of the 48 states that adopted the Family Violence Option or an equivalent  policy, the majority will waive the requirement that TANF clients work or  engage in work-related activities, the 5-year federal lifetime limit on TANF  benefits, and cooperation with the child support authorities to collect  child support, as shown in table 1. Limited Data Indicates That a Small Portion of the TANF Population Use Domestic Violence Waivers

Reliable national data on the number of domestic violence waivers issued  by the states does not exist, according to an HHS official responsible for  tracking state data reporting. Most States Used Federal TANF Funds for Marriage or Responsible Fatherhood Programs, but Take Differing Approaches to Addressing Domestic Violence

Thirty-one states reported using federal TANF funds for marriage or  responsible fatherhood programs, and limited research indicates that such  programs generally do not specifically address domestic violence. Specifically,  15 states reported funding marriage programs, and 28 states reported  funding responsible fatherhood programs from 2002 to 2004. Generally, Marriage and Fatherhood Programs Do Not Explicitly Address Domestic Violence

According to research and practitioners in the field of marriage and  responsible fatherhood, domestic violence is generally not explicitly  included as a component of marriage and responsible fatherhood  programs. Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

The objectives of this report were to determine (1) what states are doing  to identify victims of domestic violence among Temporary Assistance for  Needy Families (TANF) recipients, (2) what states are doing to address  domestic violence among TANF recipients once they have been identified,  and (3) the extent to which states are spending TANF funds on marriage  and responsible fatherhood programs, and how, if at all, these programs  are addressing domestic violence. In addition, we asked officials about marriage and responsible  fatherhood programs, how these programs were implemented, and the  sources of funding.
Why GAO Did This Study

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program introduced specific work requirements and benefit time limits. However, the Family Violence Option (FVO) requires states that adopt the FVO to screen TANF clients for domestic violence and grant waivers from program requirements for clients in domestic violence situations. TANF also allows the use of TANF funds for marriage and responsible fatherhood programs. Given states' broad discretion in implementing the TANF program, including most aspects of the FVO and marriage and responsible fatherhood programs, this report examines (1) how states identify victims of domestic violence among TANF recipients, (2) how states address domestic violence among TANF recipients once they are identified, and (3) the extent to which states spend TANF funds on marriage and responsible fatherhood programs, and how, if at all, these programs are addressing domestic violence.

What GAO Found

Forty-eight states have adopted the FVO or a comparable state policy. Most of these states actively screened clients by directly questioning them about domestic violence, whereas five states simply notified clients of domestic violence waivers without making a direct inquiry. Most states provide staff with a screening tool, but the detail and depth of these tools vary. State officials said that staff in local TANF offices often have limited skills in dealing with domestic violence issues, and policies regarding staff training vary. To address this issue, some state TANF offices employ domestic violence specialists. Although HHS has compiled and disseminated information about domestic violence screening, HHS has not issued guidance regarding best practices in domestic violence screening. State TANF programs help clients address domestic violence issues by granting waivers that exempt victims from TANF requirements, and by referring clients for domestic violence services. Most states will waive the TANF program's federal requirements pertaining to work, the 5-year lifetime limit on cash assistance, and the child support requirements. However, the conditions of these waivers vary from state to state. For example, 27 states required that clients participate in domestic violence services. Limited data on the number of domestic violence waivers indicates that a comparatively small portion of TANF recipients obtain such waivers. Most states have used TANF funds for marriage or responsible fatherhood programs or both. Specifically, 15 states reported funding marriage programs and 28 reported funding responsible fatherhood programs. States that provided usable data reported spending about 5 percent or less of their federal TANF budget on these programs. In addition, some states funded these programs through other funding sources or had programs in development. According to research and practitioners in the field, these programs generally do not explicitly address domestic violence, and HHS has stated that all future Healthy Marriage projects should include domestic violence protections.