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Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families
Policy Announcement
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U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Family Assistance
Washington, DC 20447 |
No.
TANF-ACF-PA-00-4
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Date:
November 27, 2000
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State agencies administering the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program, Indian tribes administering approved
TANF Plans, and other
interested parties. |
REFERENCES: |
Section 409(a)(7) of the Social
Security Act (Act), Section 412 of the Act, 45 CFR part 263, subpart A
and 45 CFR part 286 |
PURPOSE: |
This Policy Announcement rescinds
Policy Announcement TANF-ACF-PA-97-2, dated June 2, 1997 and replaces
it with the guidance in this announcement. |
BACKGROUND: |
Once an Indian tribe or a
consortium of Indian tribes has an approved Tribal Family Assistance plan,
for which a Tribal Family Assistance Grant (TFAG) is payable, we will
reduce the State's Family Assistance Grant. The State's MOE level will
also be reduced proportionately pursuant to section 409(a)(7)(B)(iii)
of the Act and 45 CFR 263.1(b). |
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POLICY: |
State funds paid
to an Indian tribe with an approved Tribal Family Assistance plan may
count toward the State's basic MOE requirement in the fiscal year in which
the State makes this expenditure. Refer below for a general discussion
of the MOE requirements and other important considerations applicable
to both the State providing the MOE funds and the Tribe receiving those
funds. |
DISCUSSION: |
Basically, under
the MOE requirement, States must expend their own funds to help eligible
families move toward self-sufficiency by providing various benefits or
services. An eligible family is defined at 45 CFR 263.2(b). At a minimum,
an eligible family must consist of a minor child who resides with a custodial
parent or adult relative (or consists of a pregnant individual). An eligible
family must also be "needy." "Needy" means financially deprived -- i.e.,
lacking adequate income and resources according to the appropriate income
and resource (when applicable) criteria established by the State and contained
in its TANF plan. Many tribal families will meet the appropriate financial
standard to be an eligible family. To ensure that as many eligible families
are reached as possible, where the appropriate Tribal financial standard
is different from the State's standard, the State could amend its TANF
plan to adopt the financial eligibility criteria the Tribe has set to
receive Tribal benefits or services as the State's standard for "needy"
for Tribal benefits from MOE funds. |
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EFFECTIVE DATE: |
June 2, 1997, the date of the rescinded TANF-ACF-PA-97-2. |
INQUIRIES: |
Please direct inquiries to the appropriate Administration for Children
and Families (ACF) Regional Administrator. |
/s/
Donald Sykes
Director
Office of Community Services
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/s/
Alvin C. Collins
Director
Office of Family Assistance
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