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Montana State Plan for the 14 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM

Full Plan #25 Effective 01/01/2024 Supersedes #2 01/01/2021. The ineligibility period will follow the household members even if they move to another household and apply for benefits as part of that household, with the following exceptions:

1. The children are removed from the sanctioned household by Child and Family Services and are determined eligible for child only TANF in another household; or 2. The children are determined eligible for child only TANF in another household, except for another parent’s household. The 60-month time clock continues to tick, if appropriate, for the sanctioned individual during the first non-compliance penalty period. The time clock will not tick for anyone in the family for a second or subsequent non-compliance because no benefit will be issued. For a first non-compliance, if the sanctioned individual is a “work-eligible” individual, they are required to negotiate an E/SP and agree to participate in allowable work activities during the sanction penalty month. Failure to do so will result in case closure as the negotiation of the E/SP is an eligibility requirement. If the sanctioned individual is not a “work-eligible” individual, they are not required to negotiate an E/SP and agree to participate in allowable work activities during the sanction penalty month. However, they must negotiate an E/SP for the following month by the 25th of the current month or the case will be closed for failing an eligibility requirement.

Non-compliance (sanction) does not apply for those individuals who are receiving TANF cash assistance through the Post-Employment Program; instead, the entire household becomes ineligible for TANF cash assistance. M. Work Activities and Participation requirements Pathway’s Client Advocates assist clients in identifying their needs and build on client’s strengths while supporting them in meeting their goals to self-sufficiency. Activities are based on the results of the Montana Family Bridge assessment and the client’s goals and interests. Client advocate staff will take into consideration a client’s disability or Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and childcare and make reasonable accommodations to assist in negotiating and completing work activities based on a client’s ability and availability of childcare. A temporary breakdown in childcare arrangements will be considered a possible good cause reason for non-compliance with allowable work activities. Participation hours for TANF Cash work activities are set forth in Title I of Public Law 104-193.Section 407 (a) (1) and (2). Montana will disregard from the state’s work participation rate calculation those individuals who are participating in a Tribal NEW program. Other tribal clients not participating in a Tribal NEW program will continue to count toward the state’s participation rate.