personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. A 1996 federal law that overhauled the welfare system, as well as requiring states to provide a means for collecting child support by (1) imposing liens on a child-support obligor’s assets, and (2) facilitating income-withholding. • The Act did away with Aid to Families with Dependent Children in favor of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. It also limited the length of time that persons could receive welfare and tied states’ receipt of federal child-support funds to their implementing enhanced paternity-establishment services. — Abbr. PRWORA. — Also termed Welfare Reform Act. See AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN ; TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES.
