Indiana adopted a consolidated needs standard, thus eliminating "GAP" payments, effective
July 1, 1987.
The "GAP" referred to the difference between the AFDC maximum payment level and the
adjusted needs level. If the adjusted needs was higher than the maximum AFDC payable,
AFDC was paid at the maximum. In cases where an absent parent paid child support money
to the state/county, the state/county could keep a portion and pay the balance, not
to exceed the difference between the adjusted needs and the maximum payment to the
family. These were "GAP" payments.
"GAP" payments varied from month to month based on the actual support payments the
agency received from the absent parent. Indiana "GAP" payments were not treated as
AFDC payments since they are not submitted for federal matching. The "GAP" payments
were divided equally among the children in the AFDC grant.