Last Updated: 09/15/2023
Non-Recurrent Short-Term Benefits (NRSTs) are a mechanism that allows states to use TANF funds to provide cash or in-kind services to families with children without triggering behavioral requirements and time limits. NSRTs are not considered “assistance” so they do not trigger time limits or work and child support cooperation and assignment requirements. They also do not trigger the data reporting requirements that is required for assistance. (You can find more on the distinction of assistance vs. non-assistance at this link: Assistance vs. Non-Assistance | Resources for TANF Advocates (incomesecuritycbpp.org)
There are three key requirements that an NRST must meet:
- It must be designed to address a specific crisis or situation of need. Examples of specific crises or situation of need that NRSTs could be used to address include evictions, utility shutoffs, loss of housing due to a fire or natural disaster, fleeing domestic violence, the birth of a child, a short-term medical issue, among others.
- It cannot be used to address a chronic or ongoing situation.
- It cannot be used to provide assistance beyond four months.
NRSTs can be provided to TANF or non-TANF recipients, but they are especially useful for providing help to non-TANF recipients. (Because TANF recipients are already receiving assistance, they are already subject to time limits and behavioral requirements that NRSTs aim to avoid.)
States have complete flexibility to determine the income standards and eligible populations for NRSTs and they may differ for each NRST that a state provides. They also can provide NRSTs to families in the form of cash that goes directly to a family or they can provide an NRST in the form of a voucher that goes directly to a landlord or utility company.
Below are resources that HHS has put out that provide examples of NRSTs. Recent examples include providing cash payments to families during the pandemic (including SNAP recipients who do not receive monthly TANF cash benefits) and using TANF funds to replace cash and SNAP benefits lost due to skimming and other fraudulent activity.
Examples: Non-Recurrent Short-Term Benefits | The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov)
TANF-ACF-PI-2008-05 (Diversion Programs) (AMENDED) | Guidance Portal (hhs.gov)