LINCOLN- Despite claims by state officials that there is a plan behind the fund meant to help impoverished Nebraska families, it has topped over $131 million this year.

Stephanie Beasley, director of Children and Family Services for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the money represents the accumulation of unused portions of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families federal block grants. The block grants provide public assistance to families and help pay for a number of programs.

The dollar amount was mentioned in a legislative hearing on October 1st. This angered Omaha area lawmakers Machaela Cavanaugh and John Arch.

“We have people who are hurting in our communities across the state and we’re sitting on $130 million and that does not sit OK with me,” said State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha. “We are in a crisis.”

“We just see an opportunity here,” Arch said. “We want to see those dollars well used and within the federal guidance. We have some opportunity to improve services and create some innovative services.”

Beasley said that thus far they have identified family support coaching, emergency housing stability and kinship child care assistance as priorities.

The eligibility levels cannot be decided by DHHS, the levels must be determined by the legislature.

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