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13.4 COUNTING MONTHS TOWARDS THE LIFETIME LIMIT

The following months count towards the 60 month lifetime limit:

 any month for which a TANF payment is made that includes a mandatory or optional adult member;  any month for which a prorated TANF payment is made based on the date of application and the payment includes the needs of a mandatory or optional adult member; and • any month for which a TANF payment is made to the group and an adult member’s needs are excluded because the adult is disqualified but otherwise mandatory.

The following months do not count towards the 60 month lifetime limit:

 any month for which a TANF payment is issued for a child or children that does not include the needs of an adult and there is NO mandatory adult member who is in the home but disqualified from receiving TANF;  any month for which a TANF payment is issued to a recipient of SSI for his/her child(ren); and  any month for which a POWER payment is issued.

Example Lydia Johnson has received TANF for herself and her children off and on since January, 2002. As of April 1, 2011, she has received TANF for a total of 63 months. During four of those months, her needs were not included in the grant because she was disqualified due to a TANF work sanction. The four months that Ms. Johnson was disqualified do count towards the 60 month lifetime limit. Effective April 1, 2011, determine the group’s eligibility using the Reduced Payment Level. Example Alfred Johnson started receiving TANF for himself and his children in October, 2003. Mr. Johnson was found to be disabled and eligible for SSI effective August, 2006 and his needs were removed from the TANF grant effective August, 2006. Only the months of October, 2003 through July, 2006 count towards the 60 month lifetime limit. The countable months add up to 34 months. If otherwise eligible, continue to calculate the TANF grant using the Full Payment Level Example Julio Garcia has received TANF benefits for his nephew Antoine since April, 2001. Mr. Garcia has never opted to be included in the TANF grant. There are no countable months against the 60 month lifetime limit. If Mr. Garcia is otherwise eligible, continue to determine the group’s TANF grant using the Full Payment Level. Example Daniella N’Gansi has received TANF for her children since February, 2002. Ms. N’Gansi’s needs have never been included in the grant because she is disqualified as an unqualified alien. Since she is otherwise a mandatory member of the group as the mother of the children, all of the months of TANF receipt count towards the 60 month lifetime limit. As of April 1, 2011, she has received TANF for 109 months. Effective April 1, 2011, determine the group’s eligibility using the Reduced Payment Level. Example April Reed has received TANF benefits for herself and her children off and on since December, 2002. She last received TANF in October, 2010, and that was her 70th month countable towards the lifetime limit. Ms. Reed was incarcerated in November, 2010. Her brother, James Reed, applies for TANF for the children in May, 2011. Since Ms. Reed is no longer in the TANF grant,