§ 601. Purpose

§ 601. Purpose

(a) In general The purpose of this part is to increase the flexibility of States in operating a program designed to—

(1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;

(2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;

(3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and

(4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

(b) No individual entitlement This part shall not be interpreted to entitle any individual or family to assistance under any State program funded under this part.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2112; amended Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 601, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 401, 49 Stat. 627; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 2, § 4, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7873, 60 Stat. 1095; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§ 5, 8, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, § 312(a), 70 Stat. 848; July 25, 1962, Pub. L. 87–543, title I, § 104(a)(4), (c)(2), 76 Stat. 185, 186; Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 241(b)(1), 81 Stat. 916, related to authorization of appropriations for Aid to Families With Dependent Children program prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620.

Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–33 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), which enacted this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in the provision of Pub. L. 104–193 amended at the time the provision became law, see section 5518(d) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 862a of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 116, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2181, as amended by Pub. L. 104–327, § 1(a), (c), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 4002, 4003; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §§ 5516(b), 5517, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620, 621, provided that: “(a) Effective Dates.—“(1) In general.—Except as otherwise provided in this title [see Tables for classification], this title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on July 1, 1997. “(2) Delayed effective date for certain provisions.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (but subject to subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii)), paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), and (10) of section 409(a) and section 411(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 609(a), 611(a)] (as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act) shall not take effect with respect to a State until, and shall apply only with respect to conduct that occurs on or after, the later of—“(A) July 1, 1997; or “(B) the date that is 6 months after the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by such amendment). “(3) Grants to outlying areas.—The amendments made by section 103(b) [amending section 1308 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1996. “(4) Elimination of child care programs.—The amendments made by section 103(c) [amending sections 602 and 603 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1996. “(5) Definitions applicable to new child care entitlement.—Sections 403(a)(1)(C), 403(a)(1)(D), and 419(4) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(C), (D), 619(4)], as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on October 1, 1996. “(6) Research, evaluations, and national studies.—Section 413 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 613], as added by the amendment made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]. “(b) Transition Rules.—Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]:“(1) State option to accelerate effective date; limitation on fiscal years 1996 and 1997 payments.—“(A) In general.—If the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from a State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), then—“(i) on and after the date of such receipt— “(I) except as provided in clause (ii), this title and the amendments made by this title (other than by section 103(c) of this Act [amending sections 602 and 603 of this title]) shall apply with respect to the State; and “(II) the State shall be considered an eligible State for purposes of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)); and “(ii) during the period that begins on the date of such receipt and ends on the later of June 30, 1997, or the day before the date described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, there shall remain in effect with respect to the State— “(I) section 403(h) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(h)] (as in effect on September 30, 1995); and “(II) all State reporting requirements under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 681 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995), modified by the Secretary as appropriate, taking into account the State program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)). “(B) Limitations on federal obligations.—“(i) Under afdc program.—The total obligations of the Federal Government to a State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect on September 30, 1995) with respect to expenditures in fiscal year 1997 shall not exceed an amount equal to the State family assistance grant. “(ii) Under temporary family assistance program.—Notwithstanding section 403(a)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)] (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act), the total obligations of the Federal Government to a State under such section 403(a)(1)— “(I) for fiscal year 1996, shall be an amount equal to—“(aa) the State family assistance grant; multiplied by “(bb) ^1⁄366 of the number of days during the period that begins on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act) and ends on September 30, 1996; and “(II) for fiscal year 1997, shall be an amount equal to the lesser of—“(aa) the amount (if any) by which the sum of the State family assistance grant and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(b)] (as amended by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), during the period beginning on October 1, 1996, and ending on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as so amended) if, with respect to such State, the effective date of this Act [title] under subsection (a)(1) were August 22, 1996, exceeds the total obligations of the Federal Government to the State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995) with respect to expenditures in fiscal year 1997; or “(bb) the sum of the State family assistance grant, multiplied by ^1⁄365 of the number of days during the period that begins on October 1, 1996, or the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), whichever is later, and ends on September 30, 1997, and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act (as amended by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), during the period beginning on October 1, 1996, and ending on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as so amended) if, with respect to such State, the effective date of this Act [title] under subsection (a)(1) were August 22, 1996. “(iii) Child care obligations excluded in determining federal afdc obligations.—As used in this subparagraph, the term ‘obligations of the Federal Government to the State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act’ does not include any obligation of the Federal Government with respect to child care expenditures by the State. “(C) Submission of state plan for fiscal year 1996 or 1997 deemed acceptance of grant limitations and formula and termination of afdc entitlement.—The submission of a plan by a State pursuant to subparagraph (A) is deemed to constitute—“(i) the State’s acceptance of the grant reductions under subparagraph (B) (including the formula for computing the amount of the reduction); and “(ii) the termination of any entitlement of any individual or family to benefits or services under the State AFDC program. “(D) Definitions.—As used in this paragraph:“(i) State afdc program.—The term ‘State AFDC program’ means the State program under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect on September 30, 1995). “(ii) State.—The term ‘State’ means the 50 States and the District of Columbia. “(iii) State family assistance grant.—The term ‘State family assistance grant’ means the State family assistance grant (as defined in section 403(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(B)], as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act). “(2) Claims, actions, and proceedings.—The amendments made by this title [see Tables for classification] shall not apply with respect to—“(A) powers, duties, functions, rights, claims, penalties, or obligations applicable to aid, assistance, or services provided before the effective date of this title under the provisions amended; and “(B) administrative actions and proceedings commenced before such date, or authorized before such date to be commenced, under such provisions. “(3) Closing out account for those programs terminated or substantially modified by this title.—In closing out accounts, Federal and State officials may use scientifically acceptable statistical sampling techniques. Claims made with respect to State expenditures under a State plan approved under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995) with respect to assistance or services provided on or before September 30, 1995, shall be treated as claims with respect to expenditures during fiscal year 1995 for purposes of reimbursement even if payment was made by a State on or after October 1, 1995. Each State shall complete the filing of all claims under the State plan (as so in effect) within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]. The head of each Federal department shall—“(A) use the single audit procedure to review and resolve any claims in connection with the close out of programs under such State plans; and “(B) reimburse States for any payments made for assistance or services provided during a prior fiscal year from funds for fiscal year 1995, rather than from funds authorized by this title. “(4) Continuance in office of assistant secretary for family support.—The individual who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is serving as Assistant Secretary for Family Support within the Department of Health and Human Services shall, until a successor is appointed to such position—“(A) continue to serve in such position; and “(B) except as otherwise provided by law—“(i) continue to perform the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 417 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 617] (as in effect before such effective date); and “(ii) have the powers and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 416 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 616] (as in effect pursuant to the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act). “(c) Termination of Entitlement Under AFDC Program.—Effective October 1, 1996, no individual or family shall be entitled to any benefits or services under any State plan approved under part A or F of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 681 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995).”

Extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program and Related Programs

Pub. L. 119–4, div. A, title IX, § 1912, Mar. 15, 2025, 139 Stat. 33, provided that: “Activities authorized by part A of title IV [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (other than under section 403(c) or 418 [42 U.S.C. 603(c), 618]) and section 1108(b) [42 U.S.C. 1308(b)] of the Social Security Act shall continue through the date specified in section 1106 of this Act [Sept. 30, 2025], in the manner authorized for fiscal year 2024, and out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are hereby appropriated such sums as may be necessary for such purpose.”

Prior provisions generally extending the authority of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act through the end of a fiscal year or longer were contained in the following acts:

Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, § 401, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 418 (to Sept. 30, 2024).

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title VI, § 6102, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5964 (to Sept. 30, 2023).

Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, § 401, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 809 (to Sept. 30, 2022).

Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title III, § 301, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2992 (to Sept. 30, 2021).

Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3824, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 433 (to Nov. 30, 2020).

Pub. L. 116–27, § 1, July 5, 2019, 133 Stat. 1028 (to Sept. 30, 2019).

Pub. L. 114–113, div. H, title II, § 230(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2625 (to Sept. 30, 2016).

Pub. L. 113–235, div. G, title II, § 228(a), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2491 (to Sept. 30, 2015).

Pub. L. 113–76, div. H, title II, § 225, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 388 (to Sept. 30, 2014).

Pub. L. 112–175, § 148, Sept. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1322, as amended by Pub. L. 113–6, div. F, title V, § 1522, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 426 (to Sept. 30, 2013).

Pub. L. 111–291, title VIII, § 811(a), Dec. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 3158 (to Sept. 30, 2011).