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Montana State Plan for the 24 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM

Full Plan #25 Effective 01/01/2024 Supersedes #2 01/01/2021. Effective January 15, 2014, Montana took steps which include: 1. Informing TANF Electronic Benefits Transaction (EBT) card holders in writing of the policy changes informing them it is against federal law for benefits to be accessed at any of the above locations; 2. Clients that choose EBT as the method of payment are informed of the EBT location usage restrictions during their interview and must sign a form indicating the type of payment method (EBT, Direct Deposit or Warrant) which includes the EBT restrictions; 3. Posters are displayed statewide at the Office of Public Assistance locations and at TANF Employment and Training offices informing clients of the restricted usage in the above locations. 4. Effective July 1, 2014, Montana began imposing penalties on recipients who are found to have violated the EBT restriction policy on three (3) or more occasions. Clients subject to penalty are restricted from receiving TANF funds on an EBT card for six (6) months. They instead have the option to receive TANF cash benefits either by direct deposit or paper warrant. D. Access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal fees or charges.

To ensure recipients have adequate access to their cash assistance, recipients have the option to receive TANF benefits via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), direct deposit into the client’s bank account or issuing TANF benefits via paper check. TANF recipients may access cash benefits through point-of-sale (POS) devices at some retailers and at participating Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s). TANF recipients are not charged for a POS cash purchase or purchase with cash back. TANF recipients who choose to use an ATM to access their cash benefits incur any bank surcharges. TANF recipients receive information regarding the fees and surcharges related to accessing TANF cash benefits in the “EBT Brochure”. V. SPECIAL PROVISIONS A. Migration from State-to-State Montana will not treat U.S.-domiciled families moving into the State differently than families currently residing in the State and wishing to make application for assistance. B. Assistance to Non-citizens

Montana does not intend to provide assistance to individuals who are not citizens of the United States unless they meet the criteria set by federal law for qualified aliens. C. Administrative appeal process