TANF cuts portend 'heart-wrenching' decisions

Social Services secretary apologizes to lawmakers over communication about cut to neediest South Dakotans

A “remorseful” head of the state’s Department of Social Services apologized to state lawmakers Wednesday who say they were blindsided by the department’s plan to cut welfare benefits to poor families in South Dakota.

Department Secretary Matt Althoff told lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee that when he presented his budget plan to the committee in January, it was a “strategic” approach to how DSS was navigating $86 million in budget cuts. As part of a “high-level” presentation that lasted for two hours in January, Althoff said he didn’t communicate the details of the cut to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Rep. Erik Muckey, a Sioux Falls Democrat on the committee, said it was his understanding from the January meeting that federal dollars were going to be used to offset fewer state dollars for TANF recipients rather than a benefits cut.

“Can you explain why now we’re doing this, or why that wasn't communicated?” he asked.