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adult in the TANF Program receive assistance for more than 24 months within the countable 60 months, whether or not consecutive, unless assigned to and participating satisfactorily in an approved work activity. The State may exempt no more than 20% of the TANF recipient families from the 60 month maximum benefit and work requirement limits, except as allowed by law in regard to cases 1000

consisting only of minor children, hardship, etc. The State’s 20% exemption will include the elderly caretaker relative whose needs are included in the assistance unit, cases in which the parent(s) are incapacitated, cases in which the adult is exempt from work because of caring for a severely incapacitated/ill household member, or cases in which the adult (or child) is suffering hardship because of sexual, mental or physical abuse or battery. Administrative and benefit costs of TANF payment assistance and the TANF Work Program (TWP) are funded by the federal TANF Block Grant and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) monies. Formulas for determining the amount of the TANF Block Grant and State MOE requirements are defined in PRWORA. NOTE: The Block Grant TANF Program replaced the Aid For Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) federal/state match Program in Mississippi effective October 1, 1996. Related Programs The legal base and funding for other MDHS programs associated with TANF include: Child Support Cooperation with child support enforcement requirements as a condition of TANF eligibility is mandated at both the federal and state level as found in PRWORA and in State statute in Title 43, Chapter 19. The Division of Economic Assistance refers appropriate TANF cases to the Division of Child Support Enforcement. Refugee Assistance Money payments for certain individuals who are not eligible for TANF are authorized and funded through the Refugee Assistance Act for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA). These services are provided with federal grant monies. MISSISSIPPI [ GENERAL: INTRODUCTION ]

Revised 06 - 01 - 06