Under TANF, there is an exemption related to work requirements for certain parents. Which statement is correct?

Under TANF, there is an exemption related to work requirements for certain parents. Which statement is correct?

• A. States may exempt single custodial parents with a child under one year from the work requirement
• B. All parents are required to work regardless of child age
• C. The exemption applies to families with more than two children only
• D. There is no exemption

Answer: (A)

TANF recognizes that caregiving needs can affect a parent’s ability to work, so exemptions to the work requirements exist. One such exemption allows states to waive the work requirement for a single custodial parent who has a child under one year. This reflects the idea that caring for a newborn can be time-intensive and that flexibility is appropriate in the infant’s first year. That’s why this statement is the correct one: it accurately describes a permissible exemption under TANF. The other ideas don’t fit TANF policy. Not all parents must work regardless of child age, and there isn’t a rule restricting exemptions to families with more than two children. And there is at least one exemption, so a blanket “no exemption” stance isn’t correct.

TANF recognizes that caregiving needs can affect a parent’s ability to work, so exemptions to the work requirements exist. One such exemption allows states to waive the work requirement for a single custodial parent who has a child under one year. This reflects the idea that caring for a newborn can be time-intensive and that flexibility is appropriate in the infant’s first year. That’s why this statement is the correct one: it accurately describes a permissible exemption under TANF.

The other ideas don’t fit TANF policy. Not all parents must work regardless of child age, and there isn’t a rule restricting exemptions to families with more than two children. And there is at least one exemption, so a blanket “no exemption” stance isn’t correct.