(temporary-cash-assistance)Florida Department of Children and Families: Temporary Cash Assistance#
(temporary-cash-assistance)(block-1)Overview#
The TCA program provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 or under age 19 if full time secondary (high school) school students, that meet the technical, income, and asset requirements. The program helps families become self-supporting while allowing children to remain in their own homes. Pregnant women may also receive TCA, either in the third trimester of pregnancy if unable to work, or in the 9th month of pregnancy. Parents, children and minor siblings who live together must apply together.
(temporary-cash-assistance)(block-2)TCA Benefits Eligibility Rules#
A person must pass all eligibility rules to get TCA benefits.
Time Limits: Cash assistance is limited to a lifetime total of 48 months as an adult (except for child-only cases, which have no time limit).
Work Rules: Some people must participate in work activities unless they meet an exemption. Regional Workforce Boards provide work activities and services needed to get or keep a job.
Income and Deductions: Gross income must be less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and countable income cannot exceed the payment standard for the family size. Individuals receive a $90 deduction from their gross earned income.
Citizenship: Individuals must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens.
Residency: Individuals must live in the state of Florida.
SSN: Individuals must provide a Social Security Number or proof that they have applied for one.
Assets: A family's countable assets must be equal to or less than $2,000. Licensed vehicles needed for individuals subject to the work requirement may not exceed a combined value of $8,500.
Relationship: A child must be living in the home maintained by a parent or a relative who is a blood relative of the child.
Child Support Cooperation: The parent or caretaker relative must cooperate with child support enforcement to identify and locate parents not living in the child's home, prove the child's legal relationship to the parent, and obtain court-ordered child support payments.
Immunization: Children under age 5 must be up to date with childhood immunizations (shots).
Learnfare: Children age 6 to 18 must attend school, and parents/caretakers must attend school conferences.