Bill > HR3567

This bill, known as the Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act of 2012 or WIN for Children and Families Act, amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families. It requires states receiving TANF grants to implement policies and practices to prevent TANF funds from being used in electronic benefit transfer transactions at liquor stores, casinos, or establishments featuring adult entertainment where performers disrobe. An "electronic benefit transfer transaction" is defined as any use of a card service, ATM, point-of-sale terminal, or online system to withdraw funds or pay for goods or services. The bill also establishes penalties for states that fail to report on their implementation of these policies or are found not to have enforced them, potentially reducing their federal TANF grant by 5 percent. Importantly, states will not be penalized for individual instances of fraud by recipients attempting to circumvent these new spending restrictions.