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Delaware TANF State Plan 10-1-23 to 09-30-26 Page 5 of 59
appointed by the Governor, continues to provide advice on improving the delivery of Delaware's social programs including TANF.
Definition of Needy Families
For cash assistance program purposes, needy families are a child and or children living in the home of a parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative whose combined income and financial resources are less than the standards established by the State.
TANF–like families are included in the definition of needy families. “TANF-like families” are families with minor children who are eligible to receive Division of Social Services (DSS) benefits or up to 200% of the federal poverty limit, which can include non-custodial low- income parents.
The following sections describe these standards and how they are applied to applicants and recipients.
Income and Resource Rules for Determining Need
For purposes of determining need, Delaware will continue to utilize the established income and resource rules of the TANF program.
The following specific features of Delaware's TANF program continue to apply: • The equity value of real and personal property owned by a family budget group cannot exceed $10,000.00; • The values of automobiles owned by members of a TANF household are disregarded. An automobile is defined as any motorized vehicle used for transportation via public roadways or to produce income; • The cash value of a life insurance policy is excluded; • In addition to the current resource limit, families are allowed to establish special Education and Business Investment Accounts (EBIA) of up to $5,000.00, including interest. o Families will contribute directly to their EBIAs. Funds in such accounts will not be considered as a resource. Withdrawals from such accounts must be for approved purposes, as defined in TANF regulations. If funds are withdrawn for non-approved purposes, the money will be counted as a resource in the month received. Approved reasons for withdrawal of funds for self-sufficiency needs include, but are not limited to: dependent care expenses, security deposit for an apartment or house, or vehicle repair costs;