Page 37

July 1, 2026 | 37

must sign an agreement that receipt of the payment precludes applying for assistance for six months unless they can demonstrate an emergency. Families that accept the benefit retain their eligibility for food assistance or Medicaid if the family continues to meet eligibility criteria for those programs. There is no penalty for families that opt not to receive the one-time payment.

024 Cash Assistance Severance Benefit

2. Medical Benefits: In accordance with section 445.029 F.S., families losing eligibility for TCA due to earned income have continued eligibility for Medicaid for the immediate succeeding 12-month period. A family will lose eligibility for Medicaid for any month the family does not include a dependent child, or, if during the last six months the family’s average gross monthly income exceeds 185 percent of the federal poverty level. 3. Education and Training: In accordance with section 445.030, F.S., former recipients of TCA who are working or actively seeking employment in continuing their training and upgrading their skills are eligible to receive employment-related education, training and related support services, such as child care and transportation, to continue training or to upgrade skills for up to two years after the family no longer receives assistance. If funds are insufficient for the services, the SWDB may limit or otherwise prioritize transitional education and training. 4. Retention Incentive Training Accounts (RITA): LWDBs may establish these accounts and use them to promote job retention and to enable upward mobility to higher skilled, higher paying jobs for participants who have gained employment, in accordance with section 445.022, F.S. RITAs must complement the Individual Training Accounts required by the federal WIOA. Participants may use RITAs to pay for tuition, fees, educational materials, coaching and mentoring, transportation to and from class, childcare and other such costs as the LWDBs determine are necessary to effect successful job retention and advancement, while participating in training activities. 5. Child Care: Participants who lose eligibility for TCA due to earned income or who opt to receive an up-front diversion payment are eligible to receive transitional child care (TCC) while they actively seek employment, continue employment, and improve their employment prospects through Transitional Education in accordance with section 445.032, F.S., for up to two years if the family’s income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level and funds are available.

020 Guidance-Transitional Childcare

6. Transportation: If funds are available, former TCA participants with family income that does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level may receive transitional transportation for up to two years to sustain employment or educational opportunities that promote job retention and upward mobility in accordance with section 445.031, F.S.

3.12 INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS (SECTION 445.051, F.S.)