A-2500, State Time Limits
A-2510, General Policy
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
State time limits determine the number of months certain individuals can receive TANF benefits.
The TANF Program and TANF State Program limit caretakers and second parents to a 60-month lifetime limit. When a caretaker or second parent receives 60 months of benefits, their entire household is ineligible.
Caretakers and second parents are also subject to a state time limit of 12, 24 or 36 months of benefits based on their work history and education. Other household members may continue to receive benefits after a caretaker or second parent reaches their 12-, 24- or 36-month time limit.
The individual's education and/or recent work experience determine(s) the individual's state time limit. There are three time limits, known as "tiers." Tiers and their corresponding state time limits are:
| Tier | State Time Limit |
|---|---|
| 5 | 12 months |
| 6 | 24 months |
| 7 | 36 months |
Note: TIERS enters Tier 8 when the advisor does not enter enough information.
All certified caretakers and second parents, including minor parents certified as caretakers and second parents, receive a state time limit tier.
State time limits apply to the TANF cash benefits received by certified caretakers and second parents who have access to Choices employment services.
After the individual is notified to participate or voluntarily participates in the Choices program, each month the individual has an open Choices case and is certified as a TANF caretaker or second parent counts toward the state time limit.
When a TANF caretaker or second parent reaches their time limit, TIERS disqualifies the individual from receiving TANF in Texas for five years. The children on the TANF EDG remain eligible.
Exception: During the five-year freeze out period, disqualified individuals who meet the criteria for a hardship exemption may receive TANF.
Individuals may continue receiving TANF Level Medicaid and transitional child care benefits during the 12 months following their last state time limit month. (See A-840, Transitional Medicaid Coverage.)
A-2520, Time Limit Tiers
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
A—2521 Initial Time Limit Tiers
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS determines the initial time limit tier for all TANF caretakers or second parents, including those with a current employment service exemption:
- at application; and
- when adding an individual to the household.
A—2521.1 Determining the Time Limit Tier
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
When advisors correctly identify education and work history status in the TANF TIER Level Details Logical Unit of Work (LUW), TIERS automatically determines the time limit tier for each certified caretaker and/or second parent. Accept the individual's statement of the grade completed.
TIERS prints the individual's state time limit information on TF0001, Notice of Case Action.
A—2522 Time Limit Tier Changes
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
The time limit tier may change when:
- Choices staff determine a functional literacy level which affects the tier;
- the advisor makes an error in entering the correct education or work history level; or
- redetermining the education and/or work history level at reapplication if the individual missed one full month's benefits before the date of reapplication.
A—2522.1 Change in Time Limit Tier Because of Functional Literacy Level
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Choices staff determine and enter the individual's functional literacy level in the Choices automated system. This information overrides the initial time limit tier determined by the advisor when:
- the functional literacy level is lower than the individual's completed education level; and
- a change in tier allows the individual to receive additional months of TANF and Choices services.
A tier may not change to one lower than the individual's work history level.
When the Choices literacy level updates the individual’s tier level using the Choices automated interface, the advisor may not change the tier because of the education level.
A—2522.2 Change in Time Limit Tier Because of Error
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
If an advisor initially entered incorrect information, correct the original work history months or the original education level in TIERS and select YES from the Correction drop-down menu. Do not update work history or education levels for changes that occurred since determining the initial tier.
If an advisor request State Office Data Integrity (SODI) to force change a tier from 5 or 6 to tier 7, the advisor must also request that SODI delete all months in the individual's Time Limited history that occur before the year's anniversary of the individual's Literacy Assessment Date. (See A-2532, Counting Months for Tier 7, for an example of how to determine the Literacy Assessment anniversary date.) If the individual does not have a Literacy Assessment Date, request the deletion of all months counted. Exception: Do not delete any months counted before the Literacy Assessment Date month in which the individual has a Choices penalty.
A—2522.3 Changes to Time Limit Tiers at Reapplication
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS redetermines the time limit tier of a TANF caretaker or second parent at reapplication only if there has been at least one full month's break in benefits before the date of reapplication. Note: The individual may have more months or an equal number of months remaining in the individual’s new time limit, but would never have fewer months than the prior time limit.
A-2530, Counting TANF Months Toward State Time Limit
Revision 17-3; Effective July 1, 2017
TANF
TIERS tracks the number of months counted toward an individual's state time limit. TIERS uses the Notification Effective Date (NED) and counts a month toward an individual's state time limit each month the individual:
- receives TANF;
- is certified as a caretaker or second parent; and
- has an open Choices case without Choices good cause indicated, or is sanctioned for Choices non-participation.
The advisor must:
- evaluate the accuracy of the months counted toward the individual's state time limit; and
- contact the IEE/TIERS help desk to address any issues with the individual's time limit months counted.
Notes:
- The automated procedures for counting months for Tiers 5 and 6 are different than for Tier 7.
- See A-2533, Changes to State Time Limit Months Counted, for changes to the individual's time-limited months' history.
- In minimum service Choices counties, all individuals are considered exempt from Choices participation even when the advisor codes them as M – mandatory. TIERS counts months toward the individual's time limit if the Choices case status is Open.
A—2531 Counting Months for Tiers 5 and 6
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
For individuals in Tier 5 or 6, TIERS counts months based on the Notification Effective Date (NED).
The Choices specialist enters a Notice Date in the Choices system as follows:
- the appointment date for an individual who is a mandatory Choices registrant, or
- the report date for an exempt volunteer.
TIERS adds one month to the notice date to compute the individual's TIERS Notification Effective Date. (See A-2533.3, Deleting Months When the NED Changes.)
TIERS counts the months toward the individual's state time limit (12 or 24 months) as follows:
| If the individual's work registration status is ... | TIERS counts each month ... |
|---|---|
| mandatory participant | after the month the individual is notified to participate in the Choices program. |
| exempt | after the month the individual
|
| sanctioned for Choices non-participation | the individual is sanctioned for refusing to participate in the Choices program. |
Beginning with the NED month, TIERS counts each month the individual
- receives TANF,
- is certified as a caretaker or second parent, and
- has an open Choices case without Choices good cause indicated, or is sanctioned for Choices non-participation.
In addition, if an individual’s work registration status is:
- mandatory registrant, or
- sanctioned for Choices non-participation, then
TIERS counts any months between the NED and the month the:
- Choices case opens, or
- individual is sanctioned.
A—2532 Counting Months for Tier 7
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
For individuals in Tier 7, TIERS counts months beginning one year after the Choices functional literacy assessment. Example: The individual's Literacy Assessment Date month is 1/98 (month 0). TIERS adds 12 months and, if the Tier 7 individual meets the appropriate criteria, begins counting toward the state time limit with 2/99 (month 13.)
TIERS counts each month the individual
- receives TANF;
- is certified as a caretaker or second parent; and
- has an open Choices case without Choices good cause indicated, or is sanctioned for Choices non-participation.
If the individual does not have an open Choices case without Choices good cause indicated or is sanctioned for Choices non-participation, TIERS counts months beginning with the Notification Effective Date after the assessment anniversary date.
A—2533 Changes to State Time Limit Months Counted
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Evaluate the accuracy of the state time limit months counted if
- requested to do so by the individual, or
- Texas Works or Choices/Texas Workforce Commission staff discovers a possible error.
TIERS keeps a record of the individual's participation status, work registration status and work registration reason, which can change from month to month.
A—2533.1 Deleting Months When TANF Benefits are Cancelled or Recouped
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS will remove a month counted toward the individual’s state time limit when an overpayment referral is processed for a full month’s benefits.
A—2533.2 Deleting Months in Error Situations
Revision 17-3; Effective July 1, 2017
TANF
Contact the IEE/TIERS Technical Help Desk to address any issues with the individual's Time Limited history in the following situations.
- The advisor discovers errors including incorrect work registration status or incorrect Choices penalties that result in months being counted erroneously. (Example: The advisor entered the individual mandatory instead of exempt while the individual was caring for a disabled child or the advisor deletes a Choices penalty in TIERS that was imposed in error.)
- Choices staff send notification that the individual's open Choices case status in TIERS is incorrect. (Example: The Choices automated interface sent a closed date for the Choices case status but the Choices case status is not showing closed in TIERS.)
A—2533.3 Deleting Months When the NED Changes
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
An individual's NED may change for many reasons. A change in the NED may indicate that the Time Limited months counted before the new NED were counted in error.
Example: An exempt individual voluntarily participates in the Choices program for a few months and then stops participating. The advisor changes the individual's work registration code to mandatory when the individual is no longer eligible for the exemption. Choices then outreaches the individual and sends TIERS a new appointment date. The individual's original NED was created because the individual participated in Choices while exempt. When TIERS receives a new Choices appointment date, TIERS creates a new NED. However, all months counted before the new NED are accurate and should remain counted. Do not request that SODI delete these months.
A—2533.4 Adding State Time Limit Months
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
The advisor should rarely request that SODI add months to the individual's Time Limited Months history. If there is a question concerning whether the months should be added, contact your regional Field Policy Specialist/mailbox (or other regional designee).
A-2540, State Time Limit Five-Year Freeze-Out Period
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Apply the following policies during an individual's state time limit five-year freeze-out period:
- TIERS disqualifies a caretaker or second parent from TANF for five years when the individual reaches the end of a state time limit. Exception: Certify the individual for TANF during the freeze-out period when the individual is eligible for a hardship exemption.
- A caretaker or second parent disqualified from TANF because of state time limit policies is eligible for TANF Level Medicaid (TP08) for the 12 months that follow the maximum allowable month of the individual's state time limit.
The state time limit and hardship information in TIERS is printed on TF0001, Notice of Case Action.
A—2541 State Time Limit Five-Year Freeze-Out End Date
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS automatically calculates the end of the individual's state time limit five-year freeze-out period. TIERS displays this date on the individual’s Time Limit page in Individual Inquiry. SAVERR-stored data converted to TIERS can be found in the Time Limit functional area in TIERS. TIERS arrives at the TL Freeze-Out End Date by adding five years to the last state Time Limited month listed on client screen A3. The individual is potentially eligible for TANF without a hardship exemption the month following the TL Freeze-Out End Date in TIERS.
The advisor cannot change the TL Freeze-Out End Date. The individual's Freeze-Out End Date changes only when the state Time Limited months listed in TIERS are adjusted. The automated systems or the advisor adjusts these months using force change procedures.
A—2542 When TIERS Takes Action Automatically
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS automatically takes the actions described in this section when the data for the caretaker or second parent indicates that the maximum allowable number of TANF months have been counted toward the individual's state time limit.
A—2542.1 Time Limit Disqualification
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS disqualifies a certified caretaker or second parent who has used the maximum number of months allowed in a state time limit when:
- the individual is not exempt due to receiving hardship exemption from the state time limit;
- TIERS can correctly rebudget the TANF EDG without denying it.
TIERS follows budgeting procedures for a disqualified legal parent in A-1362.1, TANF — Budgeting for a Legal Parent Disqualified for Alien Status, Failure to Prove Citizenship, Noncompliance with the Unmarried Minor Parent Domicile Requirement or State Time Limits.
Exception: If the only eligible person(s) on the TANF EDG is the caretaker and/or second parent who used the maximum number of months in a state time limit, TIERS reruns eligibility for ineligible EDGs. All the children on these EDGs are disqualified because of noncompliance with employment services or receive:
- SSI;
- foster care payments; or
- adoption assistance payments.
A—2542.1.1 TIERS Procedures for SNAP EDGs When an Individual Times Out
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
SNAP
After TIERS changes a TANF grant amount in the state time limit automated process, it:
- reruns eligibility and budgets the new TANF amount in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case; and
- sends a notice to the household stating the new SNAP amount.
A—2543 Hardship Exemptions
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
An individual requests a hardship exemption by submitting Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance – Your Texas Benefits, or asking to be added to the household's existing TANF or Medicaid EDG(s). Advise the household of these options whenever the individual expresses a need for assistance.
Certify a caretaker or second parent for TANF during the state time limit five-year freeze-out period when the individual:
- complied with Choices participation requirements while receiving TANF (the individual does not have a Choices penalty);
- is eligible for a hardship exemption; and
- otherwise meets TANF eligibility requirements.
There are three reasons for hardship exemptions:
| Hardship | Work Registration Status |
|---|---|
| County | Time Limited Severe Economic Hardship |
| Employment | Time Limited Employment Hardship |
| Severe Personal | Time Limited Personal Hardship |
A—2543.1 County Hardship Exemption
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
HHSC designates specific Texas counties economically deprived using unemployment and other job-related criteria. HHSC lists these counties on the State Time Limit County Hardship List (C-320) and revises the list every three months.
A—2543.1.1 TIERS Action
Revision 16-2; Effective April 1, 2016
TANF
Using the State Time Limit County Hardship List, TIERS performs the following case actions:
| If a certified TANF caretaker, or second parent ... | and the individual's residence county is ... | then TIERS ... |
|---|---|---|
| reaches the end of a state time limit
(The individual does not have a hardship exemption from the state time limit.) |
on the county hardship list, |
|
| is exempt from the state time limit for county hardship
(The individual has a work registration status of Code L, Time Limited Severe Economic Hardship, Lives in Economically Deprived County.) |
on the county hardship list, | does not take action. |
| is exempt from the state time limit for county hardship
(The individual has a work registration status of Code L, Time Limited Severe Economic Hardship, Lives in Economically Deprived County.) |
not on the county hardship list, |
|
A—2543.1.2 Advisor Action
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Determine the individual's eligibility for a county hardship exemption:
- at each of the household's TANF/Medicaid case actions;
- when the individual requests the exemption; or
- when removing an employment or severe personal hardship exemption.
Use the following chart when completing a case action during the individual's freeze out period:
| If the individual ... | then ... |
|---|---|
| lives in a county on the State Time Limit County Hardship List, |
|
| no longer lives in a county on the State Time Limit County Hardship List, | remove the exemption. |
A—2543.2 Severe Personal Hardship Exemption
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
An individual may qualify for a severe personal hardship exemption when there is a disabling illness or injury of:
- self; or
- close family member.
Determine the individual's eligibility for a severe personal hardship exemption:
- when the individual requests the exemption;
- when the exemption is expected to end; and
- at each complete review until the exemption is removed.
A—2543.2.1 Disabling Illness or Injury of Self
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Exempt an individual for severe personal hardship for a disabling illness or injury to self when:
- the individual requests the exemption within 90 days after the illness or injury begins; and
- disability is established by:
- approval of SSI or RSDI based on disability; or
- completion of Form H1836-A, Medical Release/Physician's Statement.
After disability is established, review the individual's eligibility for the exemption:
- when the disability is expected to end (set a special review); and
- at each complete review until the exemption is removed.
Remove the exemption when the individual is no longer disabled. Advise the individual to report to HHSC within 10 days when the hardship situation changes. The individual may state that the disability has ended or Form H1836-A may show it has ended.
A—2543.2.2 Disabling Illness or Injury of Close Family Member
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Determine whether to exempt an individual for severe personal hardship for caring for a close family member who has a disabling illness or injury using the following procedures:
| Step | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Go to Step 2. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for severe personal hardship. |
|
Request proof of relationship and go to Step 3. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for severe personal hardship. |
|
STOP. Exempt the individual for severe personal hardship. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for severe personal hardship. |
Review the individual's eligibility for the exemption:
- at each complete review until the exemption is removed; and
- when the need for care is expected to end. Note: Set a special review for when the need for care is expected to end before the next complete review.
Remove the exemption when the individual is no longer needed in the home to care for the close family member. Advise the individual to report to HHSC within 10 days when the hardship situation changes.
A—2543.3 Employment Hardship Exemption
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Determine whether to exempt an individual for employment hardship using the following procedures:
| Step | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Go to Step 2. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for employment hardship. |
|
Go to Step 3. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for employment hardship. |
|
Go to Step 4. | Go to Step 5. |
|
Document the good cause and go to Step 5. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for employment hardship. |
|
STOP. Exempt the individual for employment hardship. | STOP. Do not exempt the individual for employment hardship. |
Determine the individual's eligibility for an employment hardship exemption:
- when the individual requests the exemption; and
- at each complete review until the exemption is removed.
A—2543.3.1 Initial Request
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
An initial request is the first time an individual requests an employment hardship exemption after the:
- end of the individual's state time limit;
- last day of the individual's employment; or
- reduction of individual's work hours.
In addition, after the individual's employment hardship exemption is removed, the individual may request another initial employment hardship exemption when the:
- individual loses another job; or
- individual's work hours are again reduced.
An individual is eligible for an initial employment hardship exemption after contacting 40 employers in the 30-day period following the day the advisor explains the employer contact requirement to the household:
- during an interview; or
- on Form H1020, Request for Information or Action, when processing a report of change.
The advisor must give the individual Form H2776, Job Search Worksheet for TANF Employment Hardship Exemption, to help the individual provide documentation of the employer contacts. However, the individual may provide any available documentation that substantiates the:
- name, address, and telephone number of each employer contacted;
- person contacted;
- date of contact; and
- result.
Advise the individual that employer contacts may be made:
- in person;
- by telephone; or
- by other agencies on the individual's behalf. Examples: Texas Workforce Commission, labor organization and local workforce centers. The individual must provide documentation from the agency that made the contacts on the individual's behalf.
| If, during the 30-day period, the individual ... | then ... |
|---|---|
| contacted 40 employers, |
|
| did not contact 40 employers, | deny the request for an employment hardship exemption.
Note: There is no good cause for not meeting this requirement. However, the individual may apply for the exemption again and receive a new 30-day period. |
See A-2543.3.3, Reapplication After Denial, when a individual reapplies and was previously denied while receiving an employment hardship exemption.
A—2543.3.2 Continuation of Exemption
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
At the complete review after the individual receives an employment hardship exemption, determine whether the individual contacted an average of 40 employers during each month the individual was certified for TANF. If the individual worked during one or more months in which the individual was required to meet the employer contact requirement, give the individual credit for two employer contacts for each day of the month worked.
If the individual did not contact an average of 40 employers a month, see A-2543.3.4, Good Cause for Not Contacting Employers While Receiving TANF.
| If the individual ... | and, according to A-2543.3.4, the individual ... | then ... |
|---|---|---|
| contacted an average of 40 employers a month, | N/A |
|
| did not contact an average of 40 employers a month, | had good cause, | follow the procedures in the box above. |
| did not contact an average of 40 employers a month, | did not have good cause, |
|
A—2543.3.3 Reapplication After Denial
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
If an individual receiving a hardship exemption is denied for another reason and files an application:
- before missing one full month's benefits, use policy in A-2543.3.2, Continuation of Exemption;
- after missing at least one full month's benefits, use the following chart.
Request documentation that the individual contacted an average of 40 employers during each month the individual previously received TANF. Verify when questionable.
| If the individual ... | and, according to A-2543.3.4, the individual ... | then ... |
|---|---|---|
| contacted an average of 40 employers a month, | N/A | follow the procedures in A-2543.3.1,Initial Request. |
| did not contact an average of 40 employers a month, | had good cause, | follow the procedures in A-2543.3.1, Initial Request. |
| did not contact an average of 40 employers a month, | did not have good cause, |
|
An individual who does not provide the documentation is the same as an individual who did not contact an average of 40 employers a month without good cause. If the individual provides the documentation later, consider the date the individual provides the documentation as a new request date.
A—2543.3.4 Good Cause for Not Contacting Employers While Receiving TANF
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Using prudent advisor judgment, determine and document good cause when the individual did not contact an average of 40 employers during each month the individual was certified for TANF with an employment hardship exemption.
The individual has good cause for not meeting the employer contact requirement when:
- the individual was temporarily incapacitated or ill, including the 90 days after giving birth; or
- there were no employers, or under the minimum number of employers required, within reasonable commuting distance; or
- there were circumstances beyond the individual's control (such as a disaster, or a death in the family).
A-2550, Notices
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
A—2551 Client Notices
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Provide the household with a written explanation of the state time limit(s) for each certified caretaker and/or second parent, using the TF0001, Notice of Case Action.
TIERS provides:
- initial state time limit information:
- at application; or
- when adding a new caretaker or second parent to the household.
- information about the new state time limit when it changes because of:
- reapplication; or
- error.
- information that a penalty for Choices noncompliance causes ineligibility for a state time limit hardship exemption during the individual's five year freeze-out period at:
- application; and
- each complete review.
- the number of cash assistance months used out of the number allowed at each:
- complete review; and
- incomplete review.
- information that an individual with work registration status of exempt from participation due to time limited severe economic hardship is mandatory for Choices.
A—2552 TIERS Notices Sent to Clients
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
TIERS notifies individuals on the TF0001, Notice of Case Action, for the state time limit reasons described in the chart below. When appropriate, the notices include information on hardships available during the freeze-out period.
| If TIERS ... | then TIERS informs the household ... |
|---|---|
|
of the state time limits and/or a change in the time limits. |
| exempts an individual for county hardship at the end of the state time limit, | that the individual used the maximum number of TANF months, but will remain on TANF due to county hardship. |
| disqualifies the individual from TANF, | of the new TANF benefit amount and the hardships that are available during the disqualification period. |
| certifies a member for TANF Level Medicaid (TP 08), | of the specific months of transitional Medicaid eligibility and the reporting requirements. |
| adjusts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after adjusting the TANF benefit amount, | of the new SNAP amount or the denial of the SNAP case. |
| removes work registration status of exempt from participation due to time limited severe economic hardship, | that the individual is disqualified from TANF because the county is no longer a designated hardship county. |
| denies the TP 08 EDG at the end of the 12-month period, | of the end of transitional Medicaid coverage and to contact the advisor for Medicaid if household members are certified for Medicaid or TANF. |
A-2560, TANF-SP 60-Month Time Limit
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
A—2561 General Policy
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF-SP
Caretakers and second parents are limited to 60 months of TANF-SP benefits. Each caretaker and second parent has their own separate TANF-SP time limit clock. When a caretaker or second parent reaches the 60th month of the TANF-SP time limit (regardless of who reaches it first), deny the entire household at the end of the 60th month. Do not count TANF-SP benefits an eligible child receives toward the time limit if the child is later certified as a caretaker or second parent.
Months a caretaker or second parent receive TANF-SP do not count toward their federal time limit.
Related Policy
General Policy, A-1910
A—2562 Determining TANF-SP Time Limit Months
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF-SP
Effective October 2001, any month a caretaker or second parent receives a TANF-SP benefit counts toward their TANF-SP time limit (TANF-SP TL). Additionally, any TANF benefit that counts towards a caretaker's or second parent's federal time limit also counts toward their TANF-SP TL. Do not count TANF-SP benefits received in another state.
Do not count a month toward the TANF-SP TL if the household's grant is
- cancelled and not reissued,
- cancelled and reissued without including the caretaker and second parent's needs, or
- totally claimed as an overpayment.
A—2563 Tracking TANF-SP Time Limit Months
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF-SP
Effective October 1, 2001, a TANF-SP month counts for a caretaker and/or second parent when
- processing Form H1010 , Texas Works Application – Your Texas Benefits, and a TANF-SP benefit is issued,
- processing Form H1010 to:
- add an adult recipient to the household, or
- change an adult household member from a non-recipient to a recipient.
Note: Each month a caretaker or second parent receives a cash benefit it is either a TANF benefit or TANF-SP benefit, but never both.
Include all federal time limit months when determining a caretaker or second parent's total countable months of TANF-SP.
A—2563.1 Denying Clients at the End of the TANF-SP 60 Months
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
A report that identifies when the 60th TANF-SP countable benefit is issued for a caretaker or second parent is generated and sent to state office. A TANF-SP 60-Month Time Limit memo is sent to the regions after cut-off of the 59th month.
Advisors determine if the caretaker or second parent has received 60 months of countable benefits by checking the TIERS Time Limit TANF State Summary.
If the countable months are correct the advisor must:
- document in case comments that the caretaker or second parent received his lifetime limit of TANF-SP benefits and the household is no longer eligible for TANF-SP,
send TF0001, Notice of Case Action, with the following message:
"Your household is no longer eligible for TANF-SP benefits because (name of the caretaker/second parent) has reached the end of the state time limit. Your household may still be eligible for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits even if you are working. If you have any questions please contact your Texas Works advisor or call 1-800-252-9300."
"Su casa ya no califica para recibir beneficios de TANF-SP porque (name of caretaker/second parent) alcanzó el tiempo límite estatal. Es posible que su casa todavía tenga derecho de recibir beneficios de Medicaid y beneficios de comida del Programa SNAP aunque usted esté trabajando. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor, comuníquese con el consejero de Texas Trabaja o llame al 1-800-252-9300."
A caretaker or second parent who is denied TANF-SP when either one or both parents receive the lifetime limit of TANF-SP, cannot be certified on another TANF-SP case. Benefits received as an eligible child do not count if the child is later certified as a caretaker or second parent.
See A-1930, Extended TANF and Hardship Exemptions, when an individual reaches their 60th month and applies for extended TANF.
A—2564 Client Notices
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF-SP
TIERS provides initial TANF-SP time limit information on TF0001, Notice of Case Action:
- at application,
- when adding a new caretaker or second parent, or
- at complete review if the caretaker/second parent have not previously been informed of the TANF-SP time limit.
A-2570, Verification Requirements
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
For employment hardship exemptions:
- verify the hours worked and the pay received, if questionable; and
- accept the individual's documentation unless it is questionable. If the documentation is questionable, contact two or three employers for the period covered to verify the individual's records.
Related Policy
Questionable Information, C-920
Providing Verification, C-930
A-2580, Documentation Requirements
Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013
TANF
Document the:
- individual's statement of the hours worked and the pay received when determining the time limit tier;
- reason for a hardship exemption (see A-2543, Hardship Exemptions); and
- reason why a hardship exemption was denied.
If the individual is a mandatory Choices participant, document that Choices requirements and the consequences of noncooperation were explained.
TANF-SP
Advisors must document that they informed the caretaker/second parent:
- of the TANF-SP 60-month time limit at application, periodic review (if not previously informed) or when adding a new caretaker/second parent to the household; and
- that federal time limit (FTL) months count toward the TANF-SP 60-month time limit.
Related Policy
Documentation, C-940
The Texas Works Documentation Guide