Page 1269

COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 10/2019

TRIBAL TANF - MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE

0029.06.24.03

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians chose to operate a Tribal TANF program beginning 1-1-99. The Band’s program requires that there be at least 1 adult on the grant and that adult must be an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians or a 1st generation descendent. The Band has designated a 6-county service area covering Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine counties.

The Band expanded the Tribal TANF program effective April 1, 2005, to enrolled members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (Leech Lake, White Earth, Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, and Mille Lacs) residing in Hennepin, Ramsey or Anoka counties. Members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) living in Hennepin, Ramsey or Anoka counties have the option to receive either MFIP through the county or Tribal TANF administered by staff of the Mille Lacs Band. To participate in the Tribal TANF program there must be at least 1 active adult enrolled in MCT. Child-only cases must receive MFIP benefits through the county where the child resides.

● The Tribal TANF program DISREGARDS 75% of child support income for the cash portion of the Tribal program. However, COUNT the entire amount of child support the Tribal TANF unit receives toward the food portion of the grant.

● The cash portion of the Tribal TANF program DISREGARDS 100% of the gaming per capita payments received by an assistance unit participating in Tribal TANF. However, COUNT the entire amount of the gaming payments the unit receives toward determining the food benefits in the Tribal TANF program.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program is similar to the MFIP program, including grant amounts and benefit issuance methods. The Band uses MAXIS and is designated as “County 88”. EXCEPT for the initial transfer of existing eligible MFIP cases from the covered service area to the Band, handle case transfers into and out of the Tribal TANF program in the same manner as transfers from county to county. See 0008.06.21 (Change in County of Residence). Minnesota counties and agencies receiving transfers from Mille Lacs Tribal TANF must review and reapprove MFIP for the participants for the next eligible month under MFIP policy.

The general requirements of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program are the same as the requirements of the MFIP program, EXCEPT as follows:

● The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will determine eligibility for SNAP and health care for families receiving benefits under the Tribal TANF program. The Band under contract with DHS provides MFIP child care services to families receiving Tribal TANF and living in the counties of Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine. Tribal TANF families living in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka counties receive child care services through the county. All Tribal TANF families receive child support services through the counties. People who are applying for ONLY SNAP, health care, child care, or child support services must apply at their county of residence.

● In addition to the MFIP sanctions, the Band has some additional types of sanctions. If a Tribal TANF participant leaves the Tribal service area and wants to continue getting MFIP, the Band will remove all Tribal TANF sanctions before transferring the case.

● Even though participants must assign their rights and cooperate with child support requirements, the state may retain only the medical and child care support that is assigned. The state must release other forms of child support it collects to the participant.

● The Band does NOT count the $50 housing subsidy as income.

● The Tribal TANF program will conduct hearings for appeals related to cash issued or claimed under the Tribal TANF program. Appeals for SNAP, health care, or child support issues will be heard through regular appeals process. See 0027 (Appeals).

A family unit applying for or participating with Tribal TANF Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians is not eligible for DWP. See 0013.05 (DWP Bases of Eligibility).

For general information on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program, see 0029.06.24 (Tribal TANF Programs).