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Iowa’s TANF State Plan

34 Eligible non-citizens of the United States have eligibility and benefits determined in the same manner as citizens. Qualified aliens, who entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996, are eligible for assistance. Qualified aliens who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, are not eligible for assistance for five years following the date of entry, except for:  Those qualified aliens exempted from the five-year limitation by Title IV, Section 403, of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 who may receive regular Family Investment Program (FIP) benefits and  Those aliens who qualify for the FIP for Battered Aliens Segregated State Program.

For those ineligible for FIP cash assistance or FIP for Battered Aliens cash assistance, the state will not provide comparable benefits unless directed to do so by the Iowa Legislature.

(iii) The document shall set forth objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility and for fair and equitable treatment, including an explanation of how the State will provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State administrative or appeal process.

The Iowa HHS has a written policy on nondiscrimination consistent with federal and state law that is included on applications, notices, and other forms. This policy includes information on where and how to file discrimination complaints.

The Iowa HHS has retained policies and procedures for appeals that were in effect at the time that TANF was implemented in Iowa on January 1, 1997, as described in Title I, Chapter 7 of the Iowa Administrative Code and Title I, Chapter E, of the Employees’ Manual.

Applicants and recipients have the right to appeal any decision and any adverse action taken by the Iowa HHS on their case and request a hearing. “Adverse actions” include the following:  Denial of assistance;  Delay in acting on the client’s application within required time frames;  Suspension, reduction or termination of assistance;  Existence and the amount of an overpayment; and  Recovery of an overpayment.

Aggrieved people may request a review of the Iowa HHS’s appeal decision or appeal the final decision to the district court in the client’s county of residence.

(iv) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, unless the chief executive officer of the State opts out of this provision by notifying the Secretary, a State shall, consistent with the exception provided in Section 407(e)(2), require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program who, after receiving such assistance for two months is not exempt from work requirements and is not engaged in work, as determined under section 407(c), to participate in community service employment, with minimum hours per week and tasks to be determined by the State.

Iowa has opted out of this provision. See Attachment A.1 for details.

(v) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to assist individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment-