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Montana State Plan for the 10 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM

Full Plan #25 Effective 01/01/2024 Supersedes #2 01/01/2021.

15. An individual who is serving an intentional program violation. 16. All members of a household which include a specified caretaker relative who fails or refuses to comply without good cause with eligibility requirements including providing information and verification necessary to determine eligibility. C. Resource limitations for the TANF Cash program are $3000. The family's resources are evaluated, and the equity value of countable resources as defined by the State cannot exceed $3000. TANF non-cash services do not have a resource limit. D. Income Standards As of July 1, 2023, the TANF Cash income standards are: • The benefit standard is set at 30% of the 2023 federal poverty guidelines. • The gross income standard is 185% of the net income standard. • The net income standard is determined by dividing the benefit standard by 78.5%. • The payment standard is 35% of the 2023 federal poverty guidelines divided by 12. As of July 1, 2023, TANF Pathways non-cash services income standard is 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. E. Budgeting Methodology – TANF Cash Countable earned and unearned income is tested prospectively against the Gross Monthly Income Standard (GMI) and the Benefit Standard for the household size and circumstances. If the family passes the GMI standard, income disregards are subtracted in a specific order from the monthly gross income to establish the family's countable monthly income. If the family's income equals or exceeds either of these standards, the family is not eligible for benefits. If the family’s income is less than the Benefit Standard, the cash assistance grant amount is determined by subtracting the total countable income from the Payment Standard. The income (subject to certain disregards) of certain individuals is deemed when determining eligibility. These individuals who live in the home and are related to the minor child by marriage or parentage, but whose needs are not included in the benefits and/or grant are: 1. The qualified alien’s sponsor and sponsor’s spouse. 2. The spouse or the father of the unborn pregnant woman (in the last trimester of her pregnancy) who has no other eligible child in the home.