Which key legislation governs public assistance programs in the United States?

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) is the key legislation that significantly reformed public assistance programs in the United States. Enacted in 1996, PRWORA aimed to change the welfare system by introducing work requirements, promoting personal responsibility, and giving states more authority in managing their welfare programs. It replaced the previous entitlement system with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provided block grants to states and imposed time limits on assistance.

This legislation directly addresses eligibility criteria, work participation rates, and support for families transitioning from welfare to work, making it central to the administration and restructuring of public assistance programs.