Today, the program distributes about $16.5 billion annually in federal funds, supplemented by roughly $15 billion in state contributions. The audit also found gaps in documentation showing how TANF funds were distributed to contractors. The biggest scandal involving TANF funds took place in Mississippi. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had 'surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota' to dismantle fraud schemes exploiting federal assistance programs. The agency criticized what it described as 'opaque accounting practices' among groups receiving TANF funds.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 08, 2026 07:23 UTC