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STATE OF ARKANSAS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES REVISED 2023 Page 14 of 46 However, the dependent child’s eligibility for TEA and Work Pays benefits shall not be affected. ADWS or authorized agency shall designate a protective payee, either a caretaker relative or legal guardian of the child, to receive the dependent child’s TEA benefits. No person who is the applicant for or recipient that is otherwise eligible for TEA and Work Pays benefits and tests positive for the use of drugs shall serve as a protective payee.
3.5.6 Appeals Due to Drug Screening and Drug Testing An applicant or recipient that is otherwise eligible may appeal any denial of eligibility for TEA and Work Pays benefits as a result of drug screening or drug testing in accordance with appeal procedures in the TEA Policy manual. 3.6 Citizenship Requirement Recipients must be citizens, qualified aliens who entered the United States before August 22, 1996, qualified aliens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, who are excepted from the five-year bar, or aliens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996 and have been in "qualified alien" status for at least five (5) years. 3.7 Time Limit Requirement A needy family who meets all other eligibility requirements will not be eligible to receive TEA assistance if the family includes an adult parent (or other adult relative caretaker who is included as an eligible member) who has received such assistance for twenty-four (24) months unless it is determined that the family meets one of the criteria outlined in Section 5 (Exemptions/Deferrals). The twenty-four months need not be consecutive months. The twenty-four (24) month count began July 1, 1998. A needy family that includes an adult parent who meets the criteria outlined in Section 5 (Exemptions/Deferrals) and is deferred from the twenty-four (24) month time limit will not be eligible to receive TEA assistance beyond the sixty (60) month federal time limit unless it is determined that the family meets one of the criteria outlined in Section 5 (Hardship Extensions). 3.8 Personal Responsibility Agreement Requirement The Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA) is an agreement specifying the recipient's responsibilities that are a condition of receiving employment assistance, which may include an employment plan that describes what the recipient and the Division will do to assist the recipient to achieve self-sufficiency through employment. (See Section 8.1 for a description of the PRA.)