Since 1997, the four states and several Indian tribes in the Seattle Region have been overseeing TANF programs. This POMS supplement describes the various programs.

• •

  Alaska — Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), effective July 1997.

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Athabascan Self-Sufficiency Assistance Partnership (ASAP), effective October 1998.

• •

  Idaho — Temporary Assistance to Families in Idaho (TAFI), effective July 1997. Includes Emergency Assistance, Child Care, Headstart, and Early Childhood Activities.

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — Not named, effective January 1999.

• •

  Oregon — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, effective July 1997. Includes JOBS, Emergency Assistance, Housing Stabilization, and Temporary Assistance to Domestic Violence Survivors.

  Effective July 2007 Post-TANF benefits paid to working adult members of TANF unit ($150 per month for up to 12 months) after the TANF grant terminates. Post-TANF payments are state funds based on need and excluded as ABON.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — Native American Family Assistance (NAFA)Program, effective July 1997.

• •

  Siletz Tribe — Tribal Family Assistance, effective October 1997. Includes General Assistance, JTPA Employment and CCDGB Child Care Programs.

• •

  Washington — Washington's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan, effective January 1997. Includes WorkFirst, Foster Care, Grant Diversion, Pre and Post Employment Services/Training, Comprehensive Program for Alcohol and Drug Abusing Mothers and Their Young Children, Parent Child Assistance Program and Referral Program for Child Support Obligors.

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe — Family Assistance Plan, effective October 1998.

• •

  Alaska — Incremental with no CAP, for payment standards, (See Exhibit).

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Incremental with no CAP, payment standards are same as state of Alaska.

• •

  Idaho — Flat rate with a CAP of $309.

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — Same as the state of Idaho.

• •

  Oregon — Incremental with no CAP, payment standards on the Internet at Oregon TANF Grants TANF-G.6.TANF Income and Payment Standards .

• •

  Klamath Tribe — Incremental based on family size payment standards - one adult and one child = $395 per month with no CAP.

• •

  Siletz Tribe — Incremental with no CAP, payment standards on the Internet at http://www.ctsi.nsn.us

• •

  Washington — Incremental and capped at $1,123 per month, payment standards on the Internet at Standards - Cash Assistance .

• •

  Port Gamble S'Kallam Tribe — Same as the state of Washington.

• •

  Alaska — Adults may not receive both benefits but children under 18 may receive SSI and TANF benefits.

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Yes, in accordance with state ATAP manual

• •

  Idaho — Yes, but the SSI benefit is counted in determining the family's eligibility and grant amount.

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — No

• •

  Oregon — No, however the income and resources are not counted against a TANF grant for another member of the SSI recipient's household. SSI recipients who are part of a TANF household may participate in employment activities.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — No

• •

  Siletz Tribes — Yes

• •

  Washington — No

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe — No

• •

  Alaska — Yes - $50 per month

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Yes - $50 per month

• •

  Idaho — No

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — No

• •

  Oregon — No

• •

  Klamath Tribes — No

• •

  Siletz Tribes — No

• •

  Washington — No

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe — No

• •

  Alaska — No

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — No

• •

  Idaho — No

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — No

• •

  Oregon — Yes, if the recipient is involved in the JOBS Plus work experience they receive $1.00 per hour at the work experience job site. The recipient has access to the funds in the IDA for educational expenses.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — No

• •

  Siletz Tribes — No

• •

  Washington — Yes, IDAs are authorized by state statute for post-secondary education, home purchase, and business capitalization.

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe — No

• •

  Alaska — No

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Yes (TANF Funded)

• •

  Idaho — No

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — No

• •

  Oregon — The TANF funded emergency assistance program (EA)usually makes payments to a third party for rent, utilities, and other items when an individual is facing eviction or utility shut-off.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — No

• •

  Siletz Tribes — No

• •

  Washington — Emergency funds paid through AREN (Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs) are TANF funded and usually paid to third parties to cover needs essential for the health and safety of the family.

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe -– No

• •

  Alaska — Cash diversion is part of ATAP (TANF program) and is a payment option. Payment is made to a vendor or the applicant, whichever is appropriate. To qualify for cash diversion a family must:

  1. 1. 

     Include an adult who is working or ready to work;

  2. 2. 

     Have short-term needs which must be met for the adult to get a job;

  3. 3. 

     Have no other way to meet short term needs;

  4. 4. 

     Appear eligible for temporary assistance; and

  5. 5. 

     Complete a diversion agreement.

  Diversion payments are limited to one per year in Alaska.

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — No

• •

  Idaho — No

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — No

• •

  Oregon — TANF applicants are provided with support services and payments for basic living expenses while they are seeking employment. Funds can be paid to a third party or client depending on circumstances. Client is eligible for TANF cash diversion assistance based on their declaration.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — Cash diversion assistance is a loan that must be repaid in 60 days. Typical diversion assistance is for utility shut-off notice

• •

  Siletz Tribes — No

• •

  Washington — TANF funded cash diversion assistance makes payments to a third party or eligible client when third party is not available. Payment is available once in a 12 month period for the following needs:

  1. 1. 

     Child care costs that cannot be paid through the working Connections Child Care program;

  2. 2. 

     Housing expenses;

  3. 3. 

     Transportation;

  4. 4. 

     Food costs;

  5. 5. 

     Medical costs;

  6. 6. 

     Employment related expenses.

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallum Tribe — No

• •

  Alaska — Field offices in Alaska may verify TANF information by phone contact with the local Alaska Health and Welfare office.

• •

  Tanana Chiefs — Phone Deborah McCarter, Program Coordinator at (907)452-8251, Extension 3366.

• •

  Idaho — Verify by phone with local office of Department of Health and Welfare.

• •

  Nez Perce Tribe — Call Gloria Guillory, TANF Specialist, at (208)843-7137.

• •

  Oregon — Phone the local AFS (Adult and Family Services) branch office.

• •

  Klamath Tribes — Phone the NAFA (Native American Family Assistance Program) office at (541)882-8971.

• •

  Siletz Tribe — Phone Bob Jensen, Employment Services Program Director, at (541)444-8213 or Nancy McCrary at (541)444-8220.

• •

  Washington — All Washington field offices verify TANF benefit information on-line via the ACES system.

• •

  Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe — Three individuals who work on the tribal TANF staff answer inquiries about TANF benefits for tribal members, Barbara Jones at (360)297-9638, Kathy Sullivan at (360)297-9637, or Deborah Collier at (360)297-9639.

Exhibit

State of Alaska

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

    TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE NEED AND  MAXIMUM PAYMENT STANDARDS 

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) ELIGIBILITY/PAYMENT STANDARDS

2001 FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR ALASKA

Effective 4/1/2001

Revised 3/01

       

Exhibit

State of Washington
Department of Social and Health Services

     

TANF Standards Effective February 1, 2011