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The 60-month lifetime limit is a federal mandate. See PPM 2452.05.00 to determine how these months are to be considered.

Effective October 1, 2011, months where the assistance group receives the $10 minimum grant due to earned income putting them over the adjusted need standard will not count toward the 60-month clock; however, the months will count toward the 24-month clock (see PPM 2453.00.00).

The 60-month limit results in ineligibility for the parent/caretaker as well as the children included in the assistance group while the 24-month period affects only the parent or caretaker. 2452.05.00 OUT OF STATE TANF AND THE 60-MONTH LIMIT (C)

The policy in this section affects Two-Parent TANF and Regular TANF categories.

When an individual applies for TANF cash assistance, the individual should be asked for all addresses/states where the individual or any other member of their immediate family have lived since October 1, 1996, and the eligibility worker should then contact any other states provided to determine whether the applicant received assistance that would count against the 60-month benefit level. (f25)

When updating the system with out of state months of assistance received, it is only necessary to enter the months for adults. 2452.10.00 OUT OF STATE 60-MONTH LIMIT PENALTIES (C)

The policy in this section affects both the Two-Parent TANF and Regular TANF categories.

If an individual refuses or fails to provide the department with the information required, the TANF benefit is to be denied. (f26) 2453.00.00 24-MONTH BENEFIT LIMIT (C)

Cash assistance received in Indiana is limited to twenty-four (24) months for adults in the Two- Parent TANF and Regular TANF categories of assistance who are mandatory for IMPACT. The months that TANF benefits were received in another state do not count towards the 24 months clock, the months are collected for the 60-month clock only. Any assistance months an adult was subject to the time limit prior to 6/1/97 (Placement Track) are counted towards the 24-month time limit. Effective 6/1/97, only months that the adult received assistance are counted.

At application, the 24-month clock will start with the effective date of the first month's TANF benefits for IMPACT mandatory adults. For on-going cases when an exempt adult becomes IMPACT mandatory, the 24-month clock starts with the next possible month allowed by adverse action.