Before welfare reform in 1996, states were mostly required to give cash assistance to anyone who was eligible — without work requirements or time limits. The amount of money from the federal government varied year to year based on need. After welfare reform, the government capped the program at $16.5 billion dollars. Now, states receive a block grant, and they can choose to spend their federal money as long as it fits within four categories:
Florida ranks among the bottom quarter of states in expenditures on cash welfare. Just 11 of every 100 families living below the poverty line received cash assistance in 2014. The state spends a large portion of its welfare funds on child care — 34 percent, or $338 million — among the initial stated goals of welfare reform. Meanwhile, Florida spends the same amount within the least-defined federal reporting category: “Other Non-Assistance.” Based on a more detailed 2011 report on “Other Non-Assistance” to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Florida noted $30 million in spending over three months on child welfare services. That money is likely funding the foster care system and adoption services.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Note: Single-year labels represent two-year averages; for example '2016' represents '2015-2016'.
In 1996, for every 100 poor families with children in Florida, 55 received cash welfare. By 2016, just 12 families received TANF assistance for every 100 families with children in poverty.
