Page 1
DHS FIA ACTION TRANSMITTAL
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES
311 West Saratoga Street Baltimore MD 21201
Control Number: # 20-06 Effective Date: October 1, 2019
Issuance Date: October 29, 2019
TO: DIRECTORS, LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEPUTY / ASSISTANT DIRECTORS FOR FAMILY INVESTMENT FAMILY INVESTMENT SUPERVISORS AND ELIGIBILITY STAFF
FROM: NETSANET KIBRET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ya
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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 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 2020 calculations, the TCA grant increased by 2.5% effective October 1, 2019 in compliance with state law.
In effect, a TCA household of three will now receive an $18 increase in benefits. A breakdown of the updated benefits amount is provided in the FIP Schedule attached.
Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the SNAP 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 were effective October 1, 2019 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 19-04.