Page 20

I V - A S T A T E O F M A I N E T A N F S T A T E P L A N 17 | P a g e

EA is a limited program originally authorized under prior law. Payment of services through the EA program is limited to children and their families who are threatened by destitution or homelessness because of emergency situations. The program does not cover all emergencies. The income limit must be below 100% of FPL or families must receive TANF or PaS, SSI or Food Supplement. Payments are made to vendors. EA may be used by a family once in a twelve-month period. The amount of the EA payment is capped depending on the type of emergency payment is made for.

Alternative Aid (AA) – Non-recurrent short-term benefits Alternative Aid is a diversion program to assist applicants who seek short-term help to obtain or retain employment. The intent of the program is to help families remain self-supporting by providing voucher payments worth up to three months of the TANF benefits for which they are eligible. AA may be used once in a 12-month period. All payments are made directly to the vendor. Eligibility for the program is the same as for TANF cash assistance except AA is based on 133% of FPL.

Transitional Services Transitional services are available to support the post-TANF client in retaining employment. These post-TANF services include transportation for up to 18 months and child care support until the youngest child in the family turns 13. The income limit is 250% of FPL. Transitional Transportation (TT) assistance is also available for working families for up to 18 months who have not recently closed TANF. The income limit for this expanded group is 200% FPL.

State Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC is a federal income tax credit for low-wage workers who meet certain eligibility requirements. Maine’s EITC, which is refundable, is calculated as a percentage of the federal EITC. Expenditures are only claimed for individuals who have children under 18 and are below 200% of FPL.

Family Development Accounts This program provides asset-building services for TANF eligible families. Participants save money in a Family Development Account towards a pre-approved financial goal and purpose. Money can be withdrawn from the account only to meet one of the program asset goals, such as homeownership or career development, except in the case of an emergency.

HEAP Supplement The federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides energy assistance to low income families to assist with their heating and cooling energy costs. The HEAP supplement provides additional funding to households with children under 18 who are at or below 170% FPL.

Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program The Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program provides support to eligible parents and caretaker relatives of minor children who are pursuing training or education beyond high school and whose income is at or below 185% of the FPL. HOPE helps cover costs