Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
(OMB Control Number: 0970-0145)
k. Set forth objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility and for fair and equitable treatment, including an explanation of how it will provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State administrative or appeal process (section 402(a)(1)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
Arkansas determines eligibility and delivers benefits under the TANF Program in accordance with federal requirements.
A ten-day notice of adverse action is sent to recipients prior to the adverse action being taken. The recipient is allowed to appeal the adverse action if he or she responds within the 30 day time period. Continuation of benefits will be granted provided the appeal was received within ten days from the date of the notice.
The Department of Human Services administers and conducts hearings in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedures Act 25-15-201 et seq.
BENEFITS
The TEA program provides various services and assistance to low-income families. TEA benefits may include monthly cash assistance; employment and supportive services for cash assistance recipients and Extended Support Services for certain former cash assistance recipients. In some situations, a family may be determined eligible for a diversion payment instead of regular monthly TEA assistance. In addition, relocation assistance may be available on a limited basis.
The State also has the flexibility to authorize the use of TANF funds to provide assistance or services to at-risk children or families through programs deemed consistent with the intent of federal and/or state law.
Cash Assistance
Monthly Cash Assistance Payment Amount
The following amounts by family size are the monthly cash assistance maximums an otherwise eligible TEA family may be paid:
| Family Size | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| 1 | $81 |
| 2 | $162 |
| 3 | $204 |
| 4 | $247 |
| 5 | $286 |
| 6 | $331 |
| 7 | $373 |
| 8 | $415 |
| 9 or more | $457 |
Cash Assistance Payment Calculation
The above monthly amounts are not reduced by monthly countable income until a specified income trigger is achieved. When the family’s monthly gross earned income plus unearned income equals the monthly equivalent of 20 hours per week of work at the September 1997 minimum wage, then the above maximum payment for the family size is reduced by 50%. Based on the September 1997 minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, this income trigger is $446.
Family Cap
The cash assistance amount is not increased due to the addition of a newborn to the family Newborn is defined as a child born while the mother is receiving TEA benefits, either for other children of her own or as a minor child herself, or who is born within nine months of the month such assistance was terminated to the mother unless the mother’s case has been closed continuously for at least six (6) months.
Penalties for Program Non-Compliance
A family’s cash assistance will be reduced when the adult caretaker or a minor parent is found to be in non-compliance with the child support cooperation requirement, the work activity requirements, and/or other requirements of the Personal Responsibility Agreement.
Non-Cooperation with the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)
When the OCSE determines that an adult caretaker or a minor parent whose cooperation is required in order to establish paternity or to obtain child support payments has failed to cooperate in those activities and so notifies the DHS county office, the non-compliance penalty will be imposed,
The non-compliance penalty is a 25% reduction of the full cash assistance payment.
The penalty may be lifted at any time upon compliance with child support enforcement requirements.
Non-Compliance with the Work Activity Requirements
When it is determined that a person who is required to participate in work activities has failed to do so without good cause, a sanction will be imposed.
Non-Compliance with Other Requirements of the PRA
When it is determined that a person who has signed a Personal Responsibility Agreement has failed to comply with any other activity required by the PRA (such as ensuring the children receive immunizations), the appropriate non-compliance penalty will be imposed. The penalty may be lifted at any time upon the receipt of proof that the particular requirement has been met
Supportive Services
Appropriate supportive services will be available to TEA family members. Such services include, but are not limited to, case management services, child care assistance, medical coverage for all Medicaid eligible family members, transportation or reimbursement for transportation costs, purchases (or reimbursements) for work related expenses, referrals to appropriate agencies or organizations for counseling, treatment, etc., and other services deemed necessary by the DWS Workforce Specialist for successful participation by the participant.
Supportive services will be available to TEA applicants whose TEA cash assistance case previously closed due to non-compliance with a work activity requirement. Such services include, but are not limited to child care and transportation and other services as deemed necessary by the DWS Workforce Specialist for successful compliance prior to approval of the TEA application.
The Transitional Employment Assistance Program allows for funding for the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program to be utilized in Arkansas’ TANF program. The expenditures are utilized in accordance with the regulations provided for under the Arkansas Better Chance program.
Relocation Assistance
Cash assistance to help a family move from an area of limited job opportunities to a new locality within Arkansas for full-time employment may be available on a limited basis. Before relocation assistance is provided, the person must have a bona fide offer of full-time employment in the new locality.
Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
TEA recipients may establish Individual Development Accounts (IDA) for the purpose of accumulating savings, up to certain maximums specified in the State policy and procedures manual, for education for themselves or their children, small business development, home ownership, or transportation needs. Such funds will not be considered an available asset in determining the family’s TEA eligibility for as long as the family receives TEA.
TEA recipients who secure employment while participating in this project will receive matching fund donations to their IDAs. Recipients who are not employed will not receive matching funds.
Extended Support Service
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, or who reach a state or federal time limit and the adult is employed, extended support services will be available as provided for by federal and state law.
Such families are deemed financially eligible for Extended Support services if they were eligible for TANF cash assistance in the month prior to case closure due to employment. Such services will include one year of extended Medicaid coverage for those who meet the eligibility criteria under federal law for such coverage and one year of extended child care assistance at no cost with an additional year of child care assistance based on the current Division of Child Care fee scale.
Extended Support Services — Employment Bonus
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, or who reach the state or federal time limit and the adult is employed, an Employment Bonus cash payment will be made to such family provided a bonus payment has not already been made to the family in the preceding twelve (12) months. The purpose of such payment is to help the employed adult meet employment related expenses, until he or she has received a full month’s earnings. It is expected that this one-time bonus payment will help enable the adult to maintain his or her employment.
The Employment Bonus will not count toward the adult’s maximum twenty-four month limit.
Extended Support Services - Transportation
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, or who reach the state or federal time limit and the adult is employed, one month of Extended Support Transportation assistance will be made to the family. The payment will assist the family in meeting transportation costs in the first month following termination of TEA cash assistance.
The Extended Support Transportation payment will not count toward the adult’s maximum twenty-four month limit.
Extended Support Services - Job Retention
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, cash payments for the purpose of enabling the adult to retain his or her job may be made during the twelve-month period following the closure due to employment.
The Extended Support Job Retention payments will not count toward the adult’s maximum twenty-four month limit.
Extended Case Management Services
Extended Case Management Services are provided to an individual whose case closes due to employment for up to twelve months following case closure. Periodic contacts are made with the employed person to ensure that necessary support services are being received and to make appropriate referrals if necessary.
Diversion Payment
A diversion payment may be provided to an otherwise eligible TEA family in certain specified circumstances so that the family does not come on to regular TEA cash assistance. To qualify for diversion, the adult caretaker must meet the following conditions:
- Have a minor child living in the home;
- Be currently employed but having a problem that jeopardizes the employment; or
- Be promised a job but needs help in order to accept the job (e.g., needs car repairs, uniforms, etc.)
- Has never received a diversion payment;
- Agree to forego any TEA benefits for a period of 100 days.
The diversion payment will be the actual cost of what it would take to resolve the problem up to a maximum equal to three (3) months of what the monthly TEA cash assistance would have been for the family size. Under Arkansas State Law, a diversion payment is considered a loan. If not repaid, it will count toward the adult’s maximum time limit of twenty-four (24) months.