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Iowa’s TANF State Plan
37 (A) IN GENERAL. At the option of the State, a certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to:
(i) screen and identify individuals receiving assistance under this part with a history of domestic violence while maintaining the confidentiality of such individuals;
(ii) refer such individuals to counseling and supportive services; and
(iii) waive, pursuant to a determination of good cause, other program requirements such as time limits (for so long as necessary) for individuals receiving assistance, residency requirements, child support cooperation requirements, and family cap provisions, in cases where compliance with such requirements would make it more difficult for individuals receiving assistance under this part to escape domestic violence or unfairly penalize such individuals who are or have been victimized by such violence, or individuals who are at risk of further domestic violence.
(B) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFINED. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “domestic violence” has the same meaning as the term “battered or subjected to extreme cruelty”, as defined in section 408(a)(7)(C)(iii).
Iowa incorporates the following domestic violence provisions into its Family Investment Program (FIP):
FIP is available to immigrants who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty and who are eligible as qualified aliens under the provisions of 8 U.S.C. 1641(c) – see Family Investment Program for Battered Aliens.
In accordance with section 454(29) of the Social Security Act, the Iowa HHS may determine that FIP applicants and recipients have good cause due to domestic violence issues, for not cooperating with the state IV-D agency.
Although 45 CFR 264.1- What restrictions apply to the length of time Federal TANF assistance may be provided? identifies criteria meeting the definition of domestic abuse separate from hardship criteria as defined by the state, as a basis for granting an exception to the federal time limit for receiving TANF assistance, Iowa has incorporated domestic violence into its hardship criteria. The Iowa HHS then may extend FIP beyond the 60- month federal limit by determining a hardship exists due to domestic violence.
Individuals referred to the PROMISE JOBS program complete an assessment which screens for domestic violence by asking if the individual is in safe, supportive relationships, or if they are in relationships that don’t feel safe.
The PROMISE JOBS Employees’ Manual includes protocols for working with families identified as having domestic violence issues, including but not limited to providing brochures and packets of information about local domestic violence services available, and making referrals to these services as appropriate. Victims of domestic violence can be granted a waiver for participation in certain work-related activities when compliance with such requirements would make it more difficult for the applicant or recipient to