Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) time limit qualifications are expanded for circumstances of individuals and their children and changes the definition of homeless is to align with the definition proposed in HB2388. Hardship, for the purpose of a time limit extension will include: the recipient is participating satisfactorily in the program; is temporarily prevented from working or looking for a job; is in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment; or demonstrates another basis by which the time limit would cause undue hardship to the recipient or the recipient’s family.
Disaggregated data of individuals whose benefits were reduced or terminated must be reported annually, with an obligation for the department to address any racial disparities that are found. If an individual is not engaged in required activities, the department must ensure that their barriers have been taken into account in the creation of the plan.
Additionally, the ability to terminate a family from receipt of the grant due to noncompliance is eliminated and instead, after 4 months of noncompliance the family’s grant may be reduced by the recipient’s share or by 40%, whichever is higher.
The components of the bill other than those dealing with data collection and reporting shall apply retroactively to families terminated or sanctioned since January 2015.
