Narrative: a.

Outline of the TAFDC Program’s General Provisions

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) is the state’s principal TANF program. It is administered through the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and operates uniformly throughout the state.

The TAFDC program provides economic assistance, employment and training opportunities, and supportive services for families with dependent children and some expectant parents. The goal of the program is to help families achieve economic mobility through meaningful employment. TAFDC is also provided to children who are being cared for by a relative who is not their natural or adoptive parent.

The state statute governing the TAFDC program can be found in Title XVII, Chapter 118 of the Massachusetts General Laws, located at MassGeneralLaws. The regulations can be found in 106 CMR 701 -708 located at Department of Transitional Assistance regulations | Mass.gov. Procedural guidance can be found in DTA’s online guide, Online Guide (state.ma.us).

Application

Financial eligibility for the program is determined by income limits. Income limits can be found here. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.000, et seq. Certain families, who are assessed as work ready, are connected to employment opportunities when applying for benefits through registering an account with MassHire JobQuest. Once a family begins receiving benefits they are introduced to free opportunities for employment, training, and education and supportive services.

Case Management and Employment Services

Each local DTA office has case managers and Full Engagement Workers (FEWs). Case managers carry a caseload and are responsible for eligibility determination, eligibility review, referral services and other case maintenance activities. FEWs are specialists in the employment, education and training opportunities available to families receiving TAFDC. In partnership with the case manager, the FEW is responsible for connecting families to opportunities and supportive services. They serve as a resource to case managers, a liaison for employment and training program providers and a point of both contact and support to families. They work on both initial engagement with education and training options and re-engagement for families who have stopped participating in an approved activity. FEWs maintain a presence in the MassHire Career Centers and work with other community partners such as shelters to reach and engage families regardless of their circumstances.

Orientation and Assessment

All families receiving TAFDC are offered the opportunity to participate in an orientation and assessment. Case managers refer families who are either interested in participating or are required to participate to a FEW.  The FEW conducts an orientation with families to introduce them to all available resources and provides an assessment that helps parents or caretakers decide on family, education or employment goals on which they are motivated to work. The FEW then connects the parent or caretaker with a program that can help them achieve that goal. The FEW will also facilitate the enrollment process with the program provider and follow up with both the family and the program in the next few weeks to make sure the program is the right fit for the family.  

Employment Development Plan (EDP)

Every parent or caretaker who is required to participate in the work program must have an EDP. The EDP contains the parent or caretaker’s employment goal, the schedule of Employment Service Program activities they must engage in, necessary support services and the requirements they must meet to avoid sanctions.

Supportive Services

Families receiving TAFDC are offered supportive services to help them meet their goals. All families are eligible to receive domestic violence supports. Families who are participating in employment, education and training are eligible to receive fully subsidized child care and a transportation stipend. Relative caregivers are eligible to receive fully subsidized child care. In addition to these supportive services, parents and caregivers participating in the DTA Works Internship program receive mentoring.

Child Care

DTA provides referrals to families that are eligible for a child care subsidy based on their TAFDC program participation and to all relative caregivers. A child care referral is provided to all clients with an approved EDP who need child care to accept or maintain employment or to participate in an employment, education or training program. Case managers are required to inform families about the availability of child care at application and review. FEWs are required to inform families about the availability of child care whenever they are engaging with a family that does not already have subsidized child care. A child care fact sheet, CCFS-English 2016.pub (mass.gov), is provided to all families at least once a year. This fact sheet explains who is eligible for child care, how to get a child care referral, how to connect with the local child care agency, the types of child care available, how to find licensed child care and supports available when your TAFDC case closes.

Families who are working or are enrolled in an approved activity receive a referral for 12 months of fully subsidized child care. The referral remains active even if the parent or caregiver loses employment or their activity ends. Families on TAFDC with child care authorizations from DTA receive a subsidy for the full cost of child care and are not charged a parent fee.

A family is eligible for a Transitional Child Care (TCC) referral for up to 12 months after their TAFDC case closes when they are employed for at least 20 hours a week or enrolled in an education or training program. Families receiving TCC may be required to pay a parent fee by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), which is based on their income and family size. Upon verification that a family is eligible, DTA provides a written authorization for the TCC referral to EEC. This voucher is evidence of family relationship for all children included in the authorization. Parents must also submit evidence of their income, service need, residence and their relationship to children or dependent grandparents not included in the child care authorization.

Employment Incentives

To support employment and ease the ‘cliff effect’, a parent or caretaker who is working while receiving TAFDC receives a 100% earned income disregard for the first six months of employment as long as their earned income does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). After six months the family receives a $200 work related expense deduction and a 50% earned income disregard. In a two parent family each parent or caretaker is eligible for the earned income disregards.

Transitional Support Services (TSS)

When a TAFDC case closes due to earnings, an employed parent or caregiver will receive a stipend for four months to support their transition off TAFDC benefits into employment. The payments cover work related expenses and transportation costs and decrease over the four months.

Special Requirements for Young Parents

The eligibility rules for parents under 20 can be found at 106 CMR 703.180 - 184. To be eligible for TAFDC as a parent under 20, you must have graduated from high school, received a high school equivalency certificate or be attending school or a certificate program full time. Parents under the age of 20 who do not have a high school degree or the equivalent who are attending school or a high school equivalency program full time also have the option of participating in an employment and training program part time while they work on their high school equivalency certificate. Parents under 20 are not required to attend school full time for three months after the birth of their child. You also must be living with your parents, another adult related to you, another adult related to your child, a foster parent or a legal guardian. The other adult or legal guardian cannot be the child’s other parent unless the parents are married. A parent under 20 can also be living in a structured teen living program or on their own under certain conditions specified in 106 CMR 703.184. Parents under the age of 20 are eligible to receive fully subsidized child care.

Parents under 20 who do not meet school attendance requirements without good cause are removed from the grant. If they continue to not meet school attendance requirements, the grant is terminated.

Self-Sufficiency Specialists (SSS)

The mandate to have SSS case managers is found in Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 18, section 5. The primary focus of the SSS case managers are young parents, ages 23 and younger. SSS case managers carry a reduced caseload in order to provide intensive case management to specialized populations.  The target case load for a SSS case manager is 90; each local office has enough SSS case managers to cover their young parent population at that case load ratio. If a SSS has room in their caseload, they may also serve other specialized populations, such as those living in an emergency shelter or a domestic violence shelter.

SSS case managers work with families to develop a solid foundation, including establishing education, training and employment goals, as well as strategies to help with any challenges the family may have as they advance their economic mobility.  

SSS case managers maintain a weekly presence at young parent program sites where the families on their caseload receive services. This allows SSS case managers to work collaboratively as a team with the program and the young parent to monitor progress, celebrate success and address any concerns or barriers that have come up for the program or the young parent.

Work Requirements and Hours

The rules for the TAFDC Work Program are found at 106 CMR 703.150. Parents and caretakers are allowed a 60 day work search period in which to find a job of 20 hours for those with children under 6 and 30 hours for those with children 6 and older. If a parent or caretaker who does not have an exemption from the work requirement or good cause (as defined below) is not employed for the required number of hours by the end of the 60 day work search period, the parent or caretaker must participate in an education or training activity or work at a community service site. In two parent families, each parent or caretaker must meet the work requirement.  

FEWs work with families from the time their case is opened to connect them to employment opportunities and connect them to programs that will help them meet their goals and find employment on a career track. At case approval, FEWs connect with families to let them know about all the resources available to them and explain the expectations of the program. FEWs then complete a series of activities including Orientation, Assessment, goal setting, facilitating referrals and providing supportive services. Once a family is employed or enrolled in a program, FEWs maintain regular contact with the family and the program to monitor progress and address any concerns before they become a barrier to employment or participation.

Work Activities

A parent or caregiver can meet their work program requirements by:

• Working a job for pay
• Working full time in the Full Employment Program (FEP) which provides individuals work experience needed to obtain an unsubsidized job. Participants are paid a subsidized wage in lieu of receiving TAFDC.
• Participating in an approved supported work program
• Participating in community service (hours limited by the federal Fair Labor Standards Acts)
• Participating in a DTA approved activity that is expected to result in employment
• Combining hours of work and an approved activity or community service
• Participating in a substance abuse treatment program while living in a substance abuse shelter
• Participating in an unpaid work study or internship program
• Providing child care to a teen parent’s dependent child if both the teen parent and their child are living in their home so that the teen parent can meet their school attendance requirements
• Participating in an education or training activity including a certificate or degree program from a four-year institute of higher education, community college or certificate program provided the degree does not exceed a bachelor’s degree
• Participating in a vocational or educational program for not more than 12 months; or
• Meeting housing search requirements while residing in emergency shelter

A complete list of qualified work activities can be found at 106 CMR 707.130 - 190.

Exemptions

Exemptions from the work program requirement and time limited benefits can be found in statute in Chapter 5, Section 110 (e)(1) of the Acts of 1995 and in regulation at 106 CMR 703.100 (A)(1). The exemption reasons are:

• Disability
• Being essential to the care of a disabled child, spouse or child’s other parent living in the home
• 33^rd week or later of pregnancy
• Having a child living in the home under age 2, except for a teen parent’s dependent child if the teen parent is living in the home
• Being a parent under the age of 20 who is meeting living arrangement and school requirements
• Being a relative caregiver who is not part of the assistance unit
• Age 66 or older
• Age 60 – 66 who is the primary caregiver for the child and retired prior to receiving TAFDC

Good Cause

Parents or caregivers may claim good cause for failure to meet TAFDC work program requirements. These are found in regulation at 106 CMR 701.380 and include:

• Appropriate child care is not available
• Family crisis or emergency situation
• Health condition or illness that prevents participation
• Lack of affordable or reliable transportation
• Participation in housing search in an emergency shelter
• Lack of an available and appropriate community service site

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

When a parent or caregiver is not engaged in work or an activity after 60 days or stops participating in work or an activity without good cause, they are removed from the grant and the grant is reduced to the lower household size until the parent or caregiver connects with the FEW and accepts a program referral. If the parent or caregiver does not participate after accepting a program referral, the grant is terminated for the whole family.

If a parent or caregiver does stop working or participating in a program, the FEW completes a number of outreach attempts to try and engage the parent or caretaker before the grant is reduced. These attempts include multiple phone calls, a letter, text messages and an alert on the DTAConnect application.

TAFDC Pathways to Work

TAFDC Pathways to Work is an integral part of DTA’s efforts to move clients to work and provide meaningful career pathways that support economic mobility. Each year, the Legislature allocates funding for employment services for families receiving TAFDC through the Employment Services Program (ESP) line item. The primary goal of TAFDC Pathways to Work is to assist TAFDC clients obtain and maintain employment with career growth potential, resolve barriers to employment and provide families who receive TAFDC with education, training, and employment supports. FEWs assist families receiving TAFDC to achieve these outcomes through referral to and collaborative goal setting with programs appropriate for individual skill level and goals. In addition to employment education and training, learning disability assessments and high school equivalency testing support are also funded through the ESP line item.

Young Parent’s Program (YPP)

YPP is designed to serve pregnant and/or parenting teens from the ages of 12-24 who are currently out of school and do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent or who wish to enroll in post-secondary education or training on a pathway to employment. Both the custodial and non-custodial parent of a child receiving TAFDC are eligible to participate in YPP. It is a year-round, full time program that seeks to reduce reliance on public benefits among young parents by supporting outcomes across three domains: education and career, life and personal, and parenting and family.

Services offered through the YPP program include assessment and goal setting, academic support and curriculum, English for Speakers of Other Languages, life and personal skills, enhancing family relationships, community partnerships for any additional services and follow-up services.

YPP takes a two-generation approach to increasing economic stability for families by creating opportunities for both parents and children. The primary goals of YPP are to empower parents to pursue a path to economic mobility through education pathways and job readiness, actively engage participants to develop the skills necessary to advocate and care for their children and provide a sense of hope and aspiration to empower families to break the cycle of multi-generational poverty.

DTA Works Internship

The goal of the DTA Works internship program is to provide employment supports to parents or caregivers receiving TAFDC through mentorship, training and exposure and to prepare them for successful re-entry into the workforce. The program targets parents or caregivers who are fluent in English, can pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, have a high school diploma or its equivalent but have little to no work experience, professional networks or current references. The program places parents or caregivers in state agencies or nonprofits where they complete a nine month internship. While they are completing their internship, parents or caregivers receive one on one mentoring and a monthly education and training stipend that does not impact their TAFDC benefits.

Temporary Absence

Massachusetts continues to exercise its option under section 408, paragraph (10)(A), of the Social Security Act to continue payment of TANF financial assistance benefits for a minor child absent from the home for at least 30 but not more than 180 consecutive days.

Time Limits

Families receiving TAFDC are subject to time-limited benefits unless they are exempt from the time limit. Non-exempt parents and caregivers, including each parent in a two parent family, are limited to 24 months of assistance in any continuous 60-month period. The 60-month period begins the first full calendar month a family receives TAFDC benefits. Once 60 months have passed, the family is eligible for a new 60 month period and another 24 months within that 60 month period.

Other TANF Funded Programs

Income Eligible Child care: Administered by Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Income Eligible Child care provides subsidized child care for the children of low-income parents not receiving child care through TAFDC who are working, disabled, in an education or job training program, or who otherwise meet the activity requirement. Child care is provided for children under 13 and for older children with special needs. Parents who have a disability can also qualify for the subsidy in certain situations. The program pays a portion of the cost of care and requires payments from parents on a sliding fee scale. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 606 CMR 10.04.

Transitional and Post-Transitional Child Care: Also administered by EEC, parents who have received TAFDC within the 12 months prior to their application for a child care subsidy and who obtain a child care referral from DTA have priority access to a child care subsidy, provided they meet EEC eligibility guidelines.  Parents who seek eligibility following the parent’s transitional TAFDC authorization will again receive priority access to a child care subsidy for one additional 12-month period provided they meet EEC eligibility guidelines. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 606 CMR 10.04.

DHE Scholarship Reserve: The Scholarship Reserve provides financial assistance to Massachusetts students enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing, or any other approved institution furnishing a program of higher education. The scholarship program covers the cost of tuition for courses as well as the standard cost of living at the institution. These costs include only costs of attending courses and pursuing higher educational attainment, and excludes costs such as room and board.

University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Scholarships: UMASS provides needs-based financial assistance to Massachusetts students enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education at one of the UMASS locations: Boston, Lowell, Worcester, Amherst or Dartmouth. The scholarship program covers the cost of tuition for courses as well as the standard costs associated with attending school. These costs include only costs of attending courses and pursuing higher educational attainment, and excludes costs such as room and board.

Supplemental Nutrition Allowance (SNA): Administered by DTA, this program offers a supplemental nutrition assistance benefit to certain SNAP clients who are not receiving TAFDC. Eligible families who are working and receiving SNAP or whose TAFDC cases close due to earnings and who are currently receiving Non Public Assistance (NPA) SNAP benefits only and have an employment status that meets the work participation requirements as outlined in 106 CMR 705.250 will be provided a supplemental nutritional assistance benefit.

MOE Funded Programs

TAFDC: Administered by DTA, TAFDC is the cash assistance program for families with children and some pregnant women with little to no income. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.000, et seq.

Employment Services Program (ESP): Administered by DTA, ESP is an employment oriented program that supports the goal of ending dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work. Regulations regarding TAFDC financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.000, et seq. and 106 CMR 707.000, et seq.

Transportation in the TAFDC Account: Administered by DTA, TAFDC and former TAFDC families who have an approved EDP and an active activity or employment receive transportation payments to offset the cost of travel to and from the activity or worksite. Regulations regarding TAFDC financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.000, et seq.

ESP Pathways to Self-Sufficiency (PSS): Administered by DTA,PSS is used to assess work program required TAFDC families to help them set goals and develop a plan to meet those goals. Regulations regarding TAFDC financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.000, et seq.

DTA Administrative Expenses: This program covers the administrative activities related to TANF or MOE funded programs performed at DTA or other Massachusetts state government departments and entities that receive TANF or MOE funds through contracts with state government departments. Included under this program are the costs of payroll and fringe benefits, contracted employees, travel, office supplies, equipment and office space.

Income Eligible Child care: Administered by EEC, income Eligible Child care provides subsidized child care for the children of low-income parents not receiving child care through TAFDC who are working, disabled, in an education or job training program, or who otherwise meet the activity requirement. Child care is provided for children under 13 and for older children with special needs. This subsidy primarily provides access to affordable child care for income eligible working families. It can also be utilized by parents in a training or education program. Lastly, parents with disabilities can also qualify for the subsidy in certain situations. The program pays a portion of the cost of care and requires payments from parents on a sliding scale based on income. Very low income families and children in foster care or with a relative who is not legally responsible for them are exempt from sliding fee requirements. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 606 CMR 10.04

Emergency Assistance Contract Shelter: Administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), this program provides temporary shelter to financially eligible homeless TAFDC families and assists them in finding permanent housing. The program also includes case management services. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 760 CMR 67.02.

HomeBASE: Administered by DHCD, HomeBASE is for families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness and meet basic qualifications for the state’s Emergency Assistance shelter program. HomeBASE provides families with flexible funding as an alternative to shelter placement. HomeBASE can provide funds for first and last month’s rent and a security deposit, furniture, a monthly stipend to pay rent for up to one year, utilities, travel costs and other expenses that would otherwise prevent a family from accessing a new home. In addition, families receive case management support and additional resources such as education, workforce development and child care. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 760 CMR 65.03

Emergency Assistance Alternative Housing Program: Administered by DHCD, this program provides temporary shelter to financially eligible homeless families. Families are placed in hotels or motels while seeking other suitable housing. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 760 CMR 67.02.

Emergency Assistance Case Management: Administered by DHCD, this program provides case management services to financially eligible homeless families within the Emergency Assistance program. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 760 CMR 67.02

Youth at Risk Grants: Administered by the Department of Public Health (DPH), these grants fund after school programs that provide academic remediation, job development and community service skills for disadvantaged youth. The expenditures included in this MOE claim only include the portion of the expenditures associated with the TAFDC eligible population. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.010.

Structured Teen Living: Administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), this program provides a safe living situation for pregnant and parenting mothers under the age of 20. While living in the residential facility mothers must attend high school or a high school equivalent certificate program if they have not already received their diploma or equivalent certificate and participate in classes for basic parenting skills, pregnancy prevention and basic life skills. To be eligible a young mother must be receiving TAFDC. The regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.010.

Family Stabilization Services: Administered by DCF, this program provides services to stabilize intact families to prevent the need for home removal. The service recipients must have been eligible for benefits that require less than 85% of state median income. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 110 CMR 7.031.

Safelink Domestic Violence Hotline: Administered by a third party, Casa Myrna, Safelink is a 24/7 hotline to provide assistance to those experiencing domestic violence. The hotline can provide assistance in a crisis as well as resources for long term stabilization. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 110 CMR 4.00.

Child Protective Services Investigations: DCF is responsible for protecting children and strengthening and supporting families. DCF social workers investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and often provide services to help families care for children in their home. Investigations often lead to a referral of parents to services where they learn new skills to meet their own needs and to build relationships with their children. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 110 CMR 4.00.

DCF Referrals to TANF Assistance: DCF social workers refer families to DTA for public benefits including TAFDC. The expenditures included in this MOE claim only include the portion of expenditure associated with the TAFDC eligible population. Regulations regarding TAFDC financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.010.

State Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC): Administered by the Department of Revenue, SEITC is a refundable tax credit that is equal to 30 percent of the federal earned income tax credit claimed by the filer in the same tax year. This applies to those who meet the TAFDC eligible requirements of 106 CMR 704.010.

Youth Works Youth Employment Program: Administered by the Executive Office of Workforce and Labor Development (EOLWD), Youth Works is a year-round employment program geared toward at-risk low-income youth. The program has made increasing efforts to serve dropouts and older youth to focus on serving the disconnected youth of the state. The expenditures included in this MOE claim only include the portion of expenditures associated with the TAFDC eligible population. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.010.

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Summer Jobs: Administered by DCR, summer employment for youth is aimed at serving underprivileged populations especially in economic development areas. The expenditures included in this MOE claim only include the portion of expenditures associated with the TAFDC eligible population. Regulations regarding financial eligibility can be found at 106 CMR 704.010.