TANF-ACF-PI-2021-02 (The Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund)

This Administration for Children and Families Program Instruction (PI) offers initial guidance on the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF). The PI notes that state, tribal, and territorial TANF agencies are required to make a one-time election of the amount of its allotment under the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund no later than April 25, 2021 (for state TANF agencies) and June 9, 2021 (for TANF agencies serving tribes and territories).

The PI guidance covers several topics of interest, including: the allotment formula for PEAF funds (with accompanying tables on the allotments for states, tribes, and territories); the deadlines for the one-time election by TANF agencies to request funds; the reallotment of unused funds; the expenditure period for PEAF funds; use of funds for administrative costs; use of funds for non-recurrent, short term benefits (NRSTs); the eligible recipients of NRSTs; a statement about non-supplantation; expenditure data filings under Forms ACF-196R, ACF-196T, and ACF-196TR; instruction on TANF Plan Amendments; and guidance on the spending cap for territories. The PI also notes that direct inquiries about PEAF are to be made to regional TANF Program Managers.