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whichever is later. TCA may be continued for children, under age 16, through a Protective Payee.

Food Assistance penalties: The program applies food assistance penalties and TCA penalties in accordance with the state or federal Food Assistance Program policy. The penalties are different, depending on family composition and conditions: 1. Food Assistance exempt: If the participant is exempt from work requirements according to food assistance rules, the program applies no food assistance penalty. The food assistance budget remains the same as it was before the program removed TCA from the individual’s budget because of the penalty. This applies regardless of the penalty level. 2. Food Assistance non-exempt: If the noncompliant individual is the head of household, the program disqualifies the entire household from receipt of food assistance. If the noncompliant individual is a non-head of household member, the program removes only the individual’s needs from the benefit.

3.9 FORGIVING PRIOR PENALTIES (SECTION 414.065(1), F.S.)

If a participant fully complies with work activity requirements for at least six months without new noncompliance penalties, the program reinstates the participant as being in compliance. If the individual becomes noncompliant again, the new noncompliance will be considered a first act of noncompliance and subject to the associated penalties.

3.10 IMPACT OF PENALTIES ON TIME LIMITS

DCF considers any month a family receives a TCA payment, including payments to a Protective Payee, a time limited month. It does not consider any month a family does not receive a payment as a time limited month for calculating time limits, even if the total absence of payment is due to a penalty for noncompliance. The “time clock” is only counting months of TCA receipt toward the 48-month lifetime limit.

WT program staff inform participants during noncompliance counseling that continuation of TCA through a Protective Payee counts toward the family’s cumulative lifetime limit.

3.11 TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES (SECTION 445.026 THROUGH 445.032, F.S.)

The WT program may offer transitional services to support employed families as they move toward self-sufficiency. Transitional benefits may include: 1. Cash Assistance Severance Benefit: To preserve TCA eligibility months, participants who are working and earning income may choose to receive a one- time lump-sum payment of $1,000 in lieu of ongoing TCA in accordance with section 445.026, F.S. The participant must have received TCA for six consecutive months since October 1, 1996, to be eligible. Program staff informs participants about the benefit and determine if they meet eligibility requirements. Participants