This study explored how work-performance bonuses and caseload reduction credits of the federal government influenced state work attachment provision choices such as mandatory work requirements, sanctions, and lifetime limits using administrative data. The study found a unique result�that a high-performance bonus from the federal government was significantly related to a state's adoption of a strict number of months allowed before work requirements. Also, the high-performance bonuses were a significant factor in inducing states to impose strict overall work-attachment strategies. The results of this study show that the federal government has continuously intervened in the policy making of state government through financial awards. Implications for influencing state welfare policy choices are discussed.