WORK Act of 2002

The WORK Act of 2002 was a legislative proposal designed to reauthorize and update the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through 2007. The bill aimed to strengthen work requirements for welfare recipients by increasing the minimum hours of work participation and phasing in higher state-level employment targets. It also sought to expand support services for low-income families, including increased funding for childcare grants, transportation assistance for commuting to jobs, and the creation of "second chance homes" for young mothers.

For everyday citizens, the bill’s primary impact would have been a shift toward "universal engagement," requiring states to create individualized responsibility plans for every adult receiving assistance to help them transition into the workforce. Additionally, the legislation proposed extending transitional Medicaid coverage for families leaving welfare for work and offered states more flexibility to provide services to legal immigrants. While the bill passed the House of Representatives in May 2002, it did not advance to a final vote in the Senate and did not become law.