TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE (TFA) - TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION:

TANF is a federal program that provides assistance to needy families. In Connecticut, TANF funds the TFA program. TFA is administered by the CT State Dept. of Social Services (DSS) http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305260. It is the cash part of Jobs First Program (CT's Welfare Reform).

ELIGIBILITY

Families with children ages 0 through 18, or pregnant women;
U.S. citizen or permanent resident status;
Must be engaged in employment services activity unless exempted

SERVICES

• Monthly cash assistance with a 21 month time limit (unless exempt). Exemptions to the time limit and/or to the work requirement are made for certain groups, such as people who are incapacitated, people who are over age 60, people caring for a child under age 1, and other specific circumstances. Also, families affected by domestic violence can qualify for extensions to the time limit for as long as the domestic violence prevents or limits their hours of employment. Families can get extensions of 6 months at a time, if they qualify.
• Adults on TFA are required to participate in employment services; cooperate with Case Managers; attend programs. Special benefits provided for transportation to work and child care. Benefits can be reduced for failure to cooperate.
• Automatic Medicaid in an HMO for children and parents
• Earnings Incentive: Families can keep all earnings up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level with no reduction in benefits.
• After TFA (if employed): Minimum of 2 years Medicaid coverage in HMO after TFA ends. Child care subsidy on sliding fee scale after TFA ends, until family is earning 55% of State Median Income.

OTHER BENEFITS

• Medicaid
• Many families have food stamps.

INCOME AND ASSET LIMITS

Income limit differs by region because of the cost of housing difference, but is always a figure less than 100% FPL; Asset limit is $3000; also, $9500 of car value is not counted towards assets. Earnings of dependent students are not counted. Earnings of dependent child under age 18, who is working and who is in school are not counted.

FAMILY CAP

Families who have additional children while receiving TFA will receive half of the increase that would normally be granted for an additional household member.

WHERE DO PEOPLE APPLY

Apply at DSS regional offices and sub-offices

DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION:

http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/pdfs/w-1e.pdf

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: TANF

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SOURCE: Conn. Dept. of Social Services (DSS) website
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: March2008