Florida restricts Temporary Cash Assistance for non-essential goods

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced new restrictions on the state’s Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program, making Florida the first state to prohibit the use of these funds for specific non-essential goods and services. The TCA program, which is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, provides eligible families with benefits via electronic benefit transfer cards.

Under the amended state plan, recipients are barred from using benefits to purchase tobacco, nicotine, and vaping products; drugs and intoxicants; pornography; video games; entertainment tickets; theme park admissions; entertainment subscriptions; tattoos; spa and tanning services; and psychic or fortune-telling services. The program is intended to cover basic necessities such as food, clothing, housing, utilities, and personal care.

Governor DeSantis stated that taxpayer-funded assistance should focus on helping families meet fundamental needs and overcome barriers to independence. The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has supported the move, describing the changes as “common sense restrictions” on “inappropriate, luxury, and non-essential purchases.”