The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, amends section 403 of the Social Security Act that created a $1 billion Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) for non-recurrent, short-term benefits to assist families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kansas was originally allotted $5,142,203, and a one-time supplemental payment disbursed to households who had an active TANF program between April 2020 and November 10, 2021.

Kansas received an additional $615,096 in PEAF funding. These funds are designed to deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each TANF household will receive a one-time supplemental payment directly to their EBT card September 5, 2023. The PTANF benefit was issued in KEES through an automated batch process. The PTANF was issued to households who are currently receiving TANF benefits and have been receiving them between November 12, 2021, through May 11, 2023. Households who are not eligible for TANF for the following reasons: no active TANF program between November 12, 2021, and May 11, 2023, whereabouts unknown, residency requirements are not met, incarcerated, loss of contact, deceased, or who do not have an active status for their EBT account for 1 year or longer will not be eligible for PTANF.

Note: This change does not impact gross or net income limits, expenses, or deductions for TANF. The one-time supplemental benefit cannot be calculated in a TANF overpayment.

The following chart shows the supplemental maximum benefit for the PTANF:

This one-time supplemental benefit will not be counted toward the 24-month time limit. This one-time benefit is considered a non-recurrent short-term benefit and will be treated as a lump sum for income and resources for all programs.

For questions, please contact Angela Stinson.

TANF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund Q and A (customer service use only)

TANF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund Q and A