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Iowa’s TANF State Plan

8  The dependent child;  Any sibling of the dependent child (of whole or half-blood, or adoptive) who meets age/school attendance requirements and, until January 2001, deprivation requirements;  Any natural or adoptive parent of the dependent child.

Included in the eligible group are the needs of people who are temporarily absent for a period of no more than three consecutive months. Good cause extensions, beyond three months, are given to people who are temporarily absent because they are:  In a medical institution for less than a year; or  Securing education or training.

 The following people may be included in the eligible group:

 The needy relative who assumes the role of a parent when the child’s parent is not in the home;  The needy relative who acts as payee when the parent is in the home but unable to act as payee; and  The incapacitated stepparent.

 Each member of the eligible group must be a citizen or qualified alien.

 Each member must be a resident of Iowa.

 Each member must have a social security number or proof of application for a number.

 The parent or caretaker must assign all rights to support to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) and must cooperate in obtaining support.

 Effective February 1998 assigned child support retained by the state is not used to determine ongoing Family Investment Program (FIP) eligibility.  Effective March 1998, a 25 percent grant reduction is imposed when the parent or caretaker fails to cooperate in obtaining support unless good cause for not cooperating is established.  Effective July 1998, Iowa totally phased out a child support rebate provided to FIP recipients.

 Each member must apply for and accept benefits from certain other sources, if eligible. Beginning July 2002, every person in the eligible group and any parent living in the home of a child on FIP must apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when:

 The claimed disability is expected to last continuously for 12 months or is expected to result in death; or  The person is aged 65 or older; or  The person is blind.

As of July 2002, the entire eligible group is ineligible for FIP if the person refuses to apply for or accept social security or SSI benefits.