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SA ear om FIA ACTION TRANSMITTAL
MARYLAND DEPAKIMENT UF
HUMAN SERVICES 311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore MD 21201
Control Number: 19-04 Effective Date: October 1, 2018
Issuance Date: October 5, 2018
TO: DIRECTORS, LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEPUTY / ASSISTANT DIRECTORS FOR FAMILY INVESTMENT FAMILY INVESTMENT SUPERVISORS AND ELIGIBILITY STAFF
FROM: NETSANET KIBRET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR <.
RE: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE BENEFIT INCREASE
PROGRAMS AFFECTED: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE (TCA)
ORIGINATING OFFICE: OFFICE OF PROGRAMS
SUMMARY
Pursuant to state law, DHS annually calculates whether the TCA and Food Supplement Program (FSP) benefits when added together meet or exceed 61% of the Minimum Living Level (MLL). Maryland Human Services Code. Ann. §5-316(a) (1) (i). Based on FFY 2019 calculations, the TCA grant increases
by 4.5% effective October 1, 2018 in compliance with state law.
Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the FSP benefits based on income and household size and the Thrifty Food Plan, which is updated each year on October Ist.
ACTION REQUIRED
The new TCA payment amounts are effective October 1, 2018 and must be used to determine financial eligibility. This includes interim changes, recertification and recoupment cases. TCA benefits for October and beyond are correct in CARES.
The attached FIP Schedule and Schedule R show the increase in the TCA grant amounts and in the TCA recoupment amounts. The FIP schedule has a column for 50% of the monthly federal poverty level needed to determine stepparent eligibility.
This Action Transmittal (AT) replaces AT 18-09.
INQUIRIES
Please direct policy questions to fia.policy@maryland.gov and systems questions to fia.bsdm@maryland.gov.
CC: DHS Executive Staff FIA Management Staff Constituent Services Help Desk Office of Policy and Training Staff