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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 3 | P a g e

• Prevent and reduce the incidence of out of wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and • Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

All individuals have the right to apply for any assistance without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender orientation, religion, or handicap. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, no qualified individual with a disability will, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services or be subjected to discrimination by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Additionally, applicants and recipients are assured confidentiality, equitable and courteous treatment and may appeal decisions and have fair hearings should they disagree with any action taken affecting their benefit.

Eligibility Requirements for the Maine Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program:

An eligible family must meet age, relationship, citizenship, alien status, residency, Social Security Number compliance and cooperation requirements, as well as remain within the income and resource limits of the program. The eligible family must complete a TANF Orientation session and sign a Family Contract. Specific criteria are in the Maine Public Assistance Manual available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/10/144/144c331.docxChapters I-IV.

TANF Program Application

All individuals have the right to file an application for TANF or PaS benefits. An application for TANF or PaS is considered an application for Medicaid. Eligibility for financial assistance and for Medicaid is determined separately. Benefits will be calculated from the date of application or from the date of statutory eligibility, whichever occurs later.

The applicant or their representative must complete and sign, under penalty of perjury, an application and be interviewed. Unless granted good cause, all mandatory ASPIRE-TANF applicants must complete an orientation within thirty (30) days of application and must sign a Family Contract. The Family Contract states the responsibilities of the parties to the agreement including, but not limited to, cooperation in child support enforcement and determination of paternity, the requirements of ASPIRE-TANF Program participation, and referral to parenting activities and health care services. The Family Contract is amended to include individual employability plans as filing unit members enter the ASPIRE-TANF program and when participation review occurs. Eligibility will be determined after both the initial interview and the orientation meeting are completed. A decision will be made within 30 days.