TANF Hygiene Access Act

Key Points

• Congress is considering a new plan to help low-income families afford basic everyday items like soap, toothpaste, and diapers. This bill would create a test program to see the best ways to get these hygiene materials to people who need them most.
• The program would be run by the Department of Health and Human Services. They would give out grants to states and tribal organizations to buy and distribute supplies. These groups would likely partner with local basic needs banks that already have experience storing and giving out these items.
• The list of covered items includes things many people take for granted, such as toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo, laundry detergent, and feminine hygiene products. It also specifically includes baby supplies like diapers and wipes to help parents with young children.
• The plan sets aside $25 million for the first year, with the budget growing to $32.5 million by the fifth year. Most of this money must go directly toward buying the products, with only 15 percent allowed for administrative costs like paperwork or office space.
• After five years, the government will look at the results to see how many families were helped and how many items were given out. They will then decide if this program should be expanded to cover the whole country on a permanent basis.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.