Overview

• HHS rescinded a nearly three-decade-old interpretation of the 1996 welfare law to more broadly define federal public benefits, adding 13 new program categories and raising total exclusions to 44.
• The newly restricted services include Head Start preschool, community health centers, Title X family planning, mental health and substance use grants, and homelessness transition programs.
• The policy takes effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register and opens a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders.
• HHS projects that U.S. citizens could receive up to $374 million in additional Head Start services annually as a result of the reclassification.
• The Education, Agriculture and Labor departments have issued parallel rules under Trump’s February executive order to tighten eligibility for workforce, adult education and SNAP programs.