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STATE OF CONNECTICUT TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) STATE PLAN 2024-2026

Effective Date: 10/1/23 – 9/30/26 ☐ Initial Submission Date: 12/31/2023 ☒ Revision Date: 04/15/2024 Page: 10

A. FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This section, “Family Assistance Programs,” describes TANF programs that provide assistance to needy families.

A. 1. Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) – Department of Social Services

The Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) component of Jobs First is an employment focused, time limited assistance program based on the assumption that cash assistance should be temporary, and employment can help lift families out of poverty. Recipients are encouraged to assume personal responsibility for their economic self-sufficiency. Unless they meet exemption criteria, adults are required to seek employment. Recipients who are unable to secure employment receive services through the program, including education and training to assist them in becoming employed. Applicants must attend the initial employment services assessment intake session for further employment assessment/plan development before TFA cash assistance benefits are granted.

State laws limit TFA for non-exempt households to a time limit of 21-months, known as the Jobs First time limit. For the purposes of this State Plan, the “Jobs First time limit” refers to the initial 21-month period of time-limited assistance. Effective April 1, 2024, the Jobs First time limit will increase to 36 months, during which time a participant must work to obtain and retain employment.

The program asset limit is $6,000 so families may set aside money for emergencies. Families are allowed to own a reliable car to seek employment, to travel to and from work, or to transport a disabled family member. To be excluded, the family’s equity in the vehicle must not exceed $9,500 or the vehicle must be used to transport a disabled family member.

Applicants for TFA must have income below the state’s Standard of Need. The Standard of Need is equal to 55% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a given household size. $90 is deducted from each person’s gross earnings at the time of application. Once enrolled, a household’s earned income is excluded up to 100% FPL. On and before December 31, 2023, once earnings exceed 100% FPL, the family becomes ineligible for assistance. On and after January 1, 2024, in the first month in which a family's total gross earnings exceed 100% of the FPL and for a period not to exceed six consecutive months, the Department shall disregard, for purposes of eligibility, a family's total gross earnings in an amount not to exceed 230% of the FPL. If a family's total gross earnings are an amount between 171% and 230% of the FPL, the Department shall reduce the household's benefit by 20% for the months in which earnings are between 171% and 230% of the FPL.

Up to $50 per month of current child support is passed through to the family each month and excluded as income. Earned income from temporary employment with the U.S. Census Bureau in support of decennial censuses, including but not limited to positions as enumerators or post- enumeration surveyors, is excluded in TFA eligibility determinations. Childcare and transportation benefits are provided to enable individuals to prepare for, obtain, and retain employment.

If a family member refuses to participate in Employment Services activities, the family is penalized