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Delaware TANF State Plan 10-1-23 to 09-30-26 Page 3 of 59

DELAWARE’S TANF STATE PLAN Effective October 1, 2020

1. Introduction and Outline of Family Assistance Program

In fulfillment of the TANF State Plan requirements of § 402(a) of the Social Security Act, Delaware submits this State Plan to renew its status as an eligible state. This renewal is submitted to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Family Assistance.

Delaware’s approved amended Work Verification Plan, dated April 20, 2009 describes in detail how TANF work activities are defined, verified, and documented.

The policy changes reflected in this State Plan are the result of a process that included development of proposed regulations, distribution of the draft regulations to Delaware stakeholders and the public, and the review and incorporation of appropriate comments in the plan.

Delaware's TANF program requires immediate work activity from caretakers in families who have time-limited eligibility. Those who cannot secure unsubsidized employment immediately are required to participate in other work activities that foster the development of the skills necessary to secure unsubsidized employment and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

Public Availability, Review, and Comment

The requirement for a public comment period was accomplished by making the plan available for public review and comment through the following means: • The State Plan was posted for public comment on the Delaware web site at http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/ during August 2023, with a 45-day period for feedback; • Stakeholder groups as represented through the Committee on Employment and Social Services and TANF program contractors were provided with individual copies of the State Plan and asked for feedback; and • The State Plan was also published in the Delaware Register of Regulations during August 2023.