Options For A National Data To Track Participation in Federal Means-Tested Public Assistance Programs: Report to Congress

This report responds to PL 105-379, which mandated the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine options for the design, development, implementation and operation of a national database to track participation in federal means-tested public assistance programs.

Such a database would: Identify interstate duplicate cases, that is, individuals receiving program benefits in two or more states at the same time. Help track the time limits required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) across state boundaries.

The time limits restrict the amount of time certain clients of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) can receive benefits.