45 CFR § 261.16 - Does the imposition of a penalty affect an individual's work requirement?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t45/s261.16"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "45 CFR § 261.16 - Does the imposition of a penalty affect an individual's work requirement?"
title_number: 45
title_name: "Public Welfare"
section_number: "261.16"
section_name: "Does the imposition of a penalty affect an individual's work requirement?"
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE (ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS), ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
part_number: "261"
part_name: "ENSURING THAT RECIPIENTS WORK"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 601, 602, 607, and 609; Pub. L. 109-171."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 17884, Apr. 12, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "261"
---


# 261.16 Does the imposition of a penalty affect an individual's work requirement?

A penalty imposed by a State against the family of an individual by reason of the failure of the individual to comply with a requirement under TANF shall not be construed to be a reduction in any wage paid to the individual.