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Colorado State Plan Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Effective July 1, 2018

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Tribal Eligibility. Members of Indian tribes who live in Colorado and are not eligible for assistance under a Tribal Family Assistance plan approved under Section 412 of the Social Security Act could be eligible for Colorado Works. Any month of receipt by an adult while living in Indian Country or a Native Alaskan Village where at least 50 percent of the adults are not employed shall not count towards the 60 cumulative months of assistance. Indian Country is defined in Section 1151 of Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 53, United States Code, as of January 6, 1999.

Sanctions. Sanctions are imposed on Colorado Works recipients who do not participate in or otherwise violate the terms and conditions agreed upon in the individualized plan. Sanctions apply to the full family. Before sanctions take effect, the county office must attempt conciliation with the participant. Good cause may be granted, and benefits will not be sanctioned. If conciliation is not successful, the sanction process will ensue, as follows:

(1) The first sanction shall be twenty-five percent (25%) of an assistance unit’s cash assistance for a period of one month. The first sanction shall remain in effect until cured and served. Sanctions not cured by the end of the sanction period shall progress to the second sanction.

(2) The second sanction shall be fifty percent (50%) of the cash assistance for one month, and shall remain in effect until cured and served. Second sanctions not cured within the sanction period shall progress to the third sanction.

(3) The third sanction shall result in the termination of cash assistance to the assistance unit for a period of three months.

(4) A full case closure for a period of one month can occur for complete refusal to participate in or comply with the entire individualized plan.

The sanction period is determined by the State Board of Human Services. Once a participant reaches the third sanction, all subsequent sanctions are at the third level.

Disqualifications. Persons who are required members of the assistance unit, but are disqualified or excluded from receiving Colorado Works basic cash assistance or diversion due to program prohibitions or violations, shall be removed from the assistance unit.

(1) Individuals who commit fraud will be removed from the grant for a 12- month period for the first offense, 24-months for the second offense, and permanently for the third offense.