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ACF releases guidance to ensure youth receive federal benefits

The attached letter is being sent on behalf of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF):

Attached is a recent letter regarding recent benefit changes for youth who are in or aged-out of foster care.  The letter is for State TANF Administrators, CCDF Administrators, and Child Welfare Agency Leaders  The letter addresses the treatment of assistance paid to young people from Chafee funds in determining eligibility for other federal programs. ACF urges coordination among state child welfare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) programs to ensure that young people receiving benefits from the Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program), or their children, who also qualify for, or would otherwise qualify for TANF and CCDF, receive much needed assistance.

The letter also includes links to guidance issued by the Social Security Administration on treatment of pandemic-related Chafee assistance for purposes of Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) eligibility determinations and guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on treatment of Chafee assistance for purposes of determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Download the letter.

Please direct any questions to Children’s Bureau Regional Program Managers.