Page 17

17

is called a material violation and can result in a 25% reduction of the family’s grant. • A subsequent material violation of work requirements or stated obligations can result in the termination of a TANF case for three or twelve calendar months based on the number of occurrences.

An assessment is made of the possible risk to children from a failure to comply with the TFSP or from failure to achieve self-sufficiency within the time limit.

Recipients who may have committed a material violation are given an opportunity to conciliate and thus avoid the imposition of a sanction only once in their lifetime receipt of TANF cash assistance. The county DFCS office must initiate the conciliation process. A successful conciliation results in no sanction being imposed on a TANF family.

J. Two-Parent Families

In order to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families, Georgia broadened the definition of deprivation to allow more able-bodied, two-parent families with marginal resources to access the benefits and support services of the TANF program. Cash assistance to families with two able-bodied parents will continue to be paid out of 100% state funds; however, these funds will not be used for MOE purposes.

The TANF program provides these parents with an opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities to enhance their job skills, parenting skills, and general life skills leading to self- sufficiency.

K. Family Violence

Family violence has no economic or social barriers. The costs of family violence include misery and trauma for individuals and families and increased government spending for police services, criminal prosecutions, incarcerations, court personnel, foster care, public assistance, and juvenile corrections. Georgia has adopted the Family Violence Option (FVO) which provides for identification and screening of domestic violence victims, referral to services, and waiver of program requirements for good cause.

Program requirements can be waived if they would unfairly penalize individuals who are or have been victimized by domestic violence, or individuals who are at risk of further domestic violence. Program requirements that can be waived include time limits and child support cooperation requirements.

On March 15, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 amended section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.602(a)), adding new required certification for state TANF agencies related to providing information to victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

TANF policy and training has been updated to incorporate the new certification requirements by ensuring that workers and other agency personnel are trained and certified in: