SI SEA00830.403 A Description of the TANF Programs in the Four States in the Seattle Region

A. Background

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.

B. TANF Program Principles by State

  • 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.

C. How States Compute TANF Grants and Payment Standards

  • 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.

D. Simultaneous Eligibility for TANF and SSI

  • 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

E. Child Support Pass Through

  • 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

F. Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

  • 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

G. Work Plan Requirements, Exceptions and Sanctions

1. Alaska

Adult caretakers in the assistance unit must develop a family self sufficiency plan and take part in activities assigned to them. Working TANF recipients may remain on the TANF grant for 60 months or as long as they remain needy, whichever is less.

Exceptions to the work requirement include:

  1. a. 

    Caretaker of baby under 12 months old;

  2. b. 

    Caretaker of disabled child;

  3. c. 

    Caretaker of disabled adult;

  4. d. 

    Medical reasons;

  5. e. 

    Family hardship;

  6. f. 

    Inappropriate child care;

  7. g. 

    No child care funds available; or

  8. h. 

    No transportation funds available.

Sanctions for non-compliance with work requirement:

  1. a. 

    First occurrence = $369 monthly penalty until the individual complies;

  2. b. 

    Second occurrence = $369 monthly penalty for minimum of 6 months;

  3. c. 

    Third occurrence = $369 monthly penalty for minimum of 12 months.

2. Tanana Chiefs

Work requirements and sanctions are same as ATAP in the state of Alaska. Sanctions for non-compliance are:

  1. a. 

    First two months of non-compliance = grant reduced by $50;

  2. b. 

    Third and fourth months = needs of non-cooperating client are removed from the grant; and

  3. c. 

    Fifth month on = case may be closed if there is no threat to children.

3. Idaho

All adult TANF recipients are required to participate in work activities up to 40 hours per week. A child between ages 16 and 18, not in school, must participate in work activities for 40 hours per week.

TANF recipients who work, continue to be TANF eligible until their earnings make them ineligible.

Sanctions for non-compliance are:

  1. 1. 

    First occurrence = family ineligible for 1 month or until compliance whichever is longer;

  2. 2. 

    Second occurrence = family ineligible for 3 months or until ompliance whichever is longer

  3. 3. 

    Third occurrence = family is permanently ineligible.

4. Nez Perce Tribe

Adults must work 20 hours per week and can stay on TANF while employed as long as earnings are below eligibility level. Post program services are available for three months. TANF stops for non-compliance with work requirements or when wages exceed grant amount limit.

Non-compliance sanctions are a successive reduction in the monthly grant amount, e.g. $25, $50, as months of non-compliance continue.

5. Oregon

No set number of hours of work are required. All clients are expected to participate in work and self sufficiency programs. Client can remain on TANF while working until grant is erased by income.

Exceptions to work requirements include:

  1. a. 

    Vista volunteer;

  2. b. 

    Woman in the ninth month of pregnancy;

  3. c. 

    SSI recipient;

  4. d. 

    Woman having given birth in last 90 days.

6. Klamath Tribes

All who are able to work must participate in job related activities 20-25 hours per week. Working TANF recipients can remain on TANF until their earnings cause ineligibility.

Sanctions for non-compliance include:

  1. a. 

    First infraction gets warning but no fine;

  2. b. 

    Second infraction gets $50 fine;

  3. c. 

    Third infraction gets $120 fine;

  4. d. 

    Fourth and beyond get $120 fine until grant closed.

7. Siletz Tribes

All parents and caretakers are required to participate in work and/or employment barrier removal activities.

8. Washington

Adult TANF family members must work at least 20 hours per week. Anyone working less than 20 hours must be looking for work. Working TANF grant recipients are allowed to remain in the TANF program until countable income reduces the benefit to‘0'. Countable income is defined as 50 percent of gross earnings and 100 percent of unearned income. Individuals unable to find work are screened for employment barriers and may be enrolled in work training or experience to improve employability.

Sanctions for non-compliance include:

  1. a. 

    First month the grant is reduced by the individual's share of the grant;

  2. b. 

    Second month the reduced grant is paid to a protective payee;and

  3. c. 

    Third month on the grant is reduced by 40 percent and paid to a protective payee.

9. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Adult TANF family members must work a minimum of 20 hours a week. They can stay on the grant for up to 24 consecutive months or a 60 month lifetime period as long as they stay within the income limits.

The payment rate does not change during the work and TANF eligibility period. TANF is terminated if income or the time limit is exceeded unless there is a hardship exemption.

The hardship exemptions are:

  1. a. 

    Pregnant woman in last tri-mester;

  2. b. 

    Post partum women for 90 days;

  3. c. 

    Persons over 60;

  4. d. 

    Special circumstances such as care of a disabled child or elder, death in the family or court action; and

  5. e. 

    Lack of child care.

Sanctions for non-compliance include:

  1. a. 

    Written warning to the family giving 30 days to take corrective action. If corrective action is not taken in 30 days, the grant is reduced by the individual's share of the grant for the first month;

  2. b. 

    If the corrective action has not been taken after the 30 day reduction, there will be a 60 day suspension from the program.

H. Emergency Assistance (EA)

  • 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

I. Cash Diversion Program

  • 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

J. TANF Benefit Time Limits and Exceptions

1. Alaska

60 months with the following exceptions;

  1. a. 

    A month within which a family lives on a reservation or in a native village where at least 50 percent of the adults are unemployed does not count as one of the 60 months in the time limit.

  2. b. 

    Families may be exempt from the limit due to domestic violence, incapacity, care of a disabled child, or hardship.

These exceptions cannot exceed 20 percent of the state caseload.

2. Tanana Chiefs

A 60 month limit with the following exceptions:

  1. a. 

    Hardship; i.e., an adult unable to work due to physical impairment;

  2. b. 

    Caring for disabled child; or

  3. c. 

    Victim of domestic abuse.

3. Idaho

24 months with two exceptions to the Idaho TANF time limit:

  1. a. 

    A physical or mental condition expected to last at least three months. The condition must prevent any employment that would generate earnings of at least 167 percent of the maximum grant per month;

  2. b. 

    Care of an ill or incapacitated child or spouse in the home. The care must be provided for at least one month. The care must prevent employment that would generate earnings of at least 167 percent of the maximum grant per month.

4. Nez Perce Tribe

There is a five year time limit for receipt of TANF.

5. Oregon

No time limit as long as a person is actively participating in a plan for self sufficiency.

6. Klamath Tribes

A family can receive TANF benefits for up to 24 cumulative months within an 84 consecutive month period with the following exceptions:

  1. a. 

    Recipient is disabled;

  2. b. 

    Recipient is participating in a work program.

7. Siletz Tribes

Family may receive TANF benefits up to 24 cumulative months within an 84 consecutive month period. A month does not count toward the 24 months when any of the following is true:

  1. a. 

    Care for a sick family member excludes up to three months;

  2. b. 

    Family member is involved in TANF work activities or has good cause for not participating;

  3. c. 

    No family member is given a chance to participate in TANF work activities;

  4. d. 

    TANF unit contains only children;

  5. e. 

    Both parents are incapacitated or one parent has to care for the other incapacitated parent; or

  6. f. 

    Unemployment rate exceeds 50 percent in the eleven county service area per the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs).

8. Washington

There is a 60 month limit on TANF benefits but only for adult beneficiaries. Washington may exempt up to 20 percent of TANF recipients from the time limit for hardship reasons.

9. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Up to 24 consecutive months with a lifetime limit of 60 months.

K. How To Verify TANF Benefit Amounts and Termination of Payment Date

  • 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 

FAMILY SIZE

14.23% Ratable Reduction

1/1/98

15.19% Ratable Reduction

1/1/99

17.06% Ratable Reduction

1/1/00

19.85% Ratable Reduction

1/1/01

 

NEED STD

MAX PMT

NEED STD

MAX PMT

NEED STD

MAX PMT

NEED STD

MAX PMT

2

959

821

971

821

994

821

1028

821

3

1078

923

1092

923

1118

923

1156

923

4

1197

1025

1213

1025

1242

1025

1284

1025

5

1316

1127

1334

1127

1366

1127

1412

1127

6

1435

1229

1455

1229

1490

1229

1540

1229

7

1554

1331

1576

1331

1614

1331

1668

1331

Ea. Additional

119

102

121

102

124

102

128

102

            TWO-PARENT FAMILY (with one parent medically exempt from work activities)

3

1078

923

1092

923

1118

923

1156

923

4

1197

1025

1213

1025

1242

1025

1284

1025

5

1316

1127

1334

1127

1366

1127

1412

1127

6

1435

1229

1455

1229

1490

1229

1540

1229

7

1554

1331

1576

1331

1614

1331

1668

1331

8

1673

1433

1697

1433

1738

1433

1796

1433

Ea. Additional

119

102

121

102

124

102

128

102

CHILD ONLY

1

527

452

533

452

545

452

564

452

2

646

554

654

554

669

554

692

554

3

765

656

775

656

793

656

820

656

4

884

758

896

758

917

758

948

758

5

1003

860

1017

860

1041

860

1076

860

6

1122

962

1138

962

1165

962

1204

962

7

1241

1064

1259

1064

1289

1064

1332

1064

Ea. Additional

119

102

121

102

124

102

128

102

PREGNANT WOMAN

1

601

514

608

514

622

514

643

514

ADULT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (APA) NEED AND MAXIMUM PAYMENT
STANDARDS

 

1/1/98

1/1/99

              1/1/00

         1/1/01

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

NEED

STD

MAX

PMT

NEED

STD

MAX

PMT

NEED

STD

MAX

PMT

NEED

STD

MAX

PMT

A Individual

917

856

929

862

951

874

984

892

B Individual

758

697

768

701

786

709

814

721

A Couple, 1 Elig.

1103

1015

1117

1021

1144

1033

1184

1051

B Couple, 1 Elig.

871

793

882

797

903

805

935

817

A Couple, Both Elig.

1359

1269

1377

1279

1410

1297

1459

1324

B Couple, Both Elig.

1129

1037

1144

1044

1171

1056

1212

1074

NH Personal Needs

74

75

74

75

74

75

74

75

NH 300%

1482

 

1500

 

1536

 

1590

 

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) ELIGIBILITY/PAYMENT STANDARDS

SSI COLA 2.1% 1.3% 2.4% 3.5%
HOUSEHOLD TYPE 1/1/98 1/1/99 1/1/00 1/1/01
A Individual 494 500 512 530
B Individual 329.34 333.34 341.34 353.34
A Couple, Both Elig. 741 751 769 796
B Couple, Both Elig. 494.00 500.67 512.67 530.67
NH Personal Needs 30 30 30 30

2001 FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR ALASKA

Effective 4/1/2001

Family Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Monthly Income 895 1210 1525 1840 2155 2470 2785 3100
Annual Income 10730 14510 18290 22070 25850 29630 33410 37190

Revised 3/01

       

Exhibit

State of Washington
Department of Social and Health Services

     

TANF Standards Effective February 1, 2011

Assistance Unit Size Standard prior to 02/01/201 02/01/2011 and later
1 $359 $305
2 $453 $385
3 $562 $478
4 $661 $562
5 $762 $648
6 $866 $736
7 $1,000 $850
8 $1,107 $941
9 $1,215 $1033
10 or more $1,321 $1123

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830403SEA
SI SEA00830.403 - A Description of the TANF Programs in the Four States in the Seattle Region - 02/17/2011
Batch run: 04/29/2015
Rev:02/17/2011