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7 Resources Eligibility is limited to families whose available resources total less than $2,250. The values of the primary residence and equity in the primary vehicle up to $5000 are excluded. Earned Income Disregards A portion of the earned income is disregarded when determining income eligibility and a cash benefit amount. Depending upon the age of the child(ren) included in the assistance unit, the first $120 or $240 and 50 percent of the remaining income is disregarded. This includes any income of household minor child(ren) attending school. Benefit Determination & Delivery Payment standards are based on a Standard of Need. The monthly maximum gross income for TANF cash assistance eligibility is 185% of the State Standard of Need. To determine eligibility for cash assistance, the total of a family's countable earned income (after disregards) and unearned income is compared with the appropriate assistance payment standard for the unit. See Attachment A, Appendix C-1 schedule IX. The benefit amount for the month of application is prorated based on the number of days remaining in the month after the application file date. TANF cash assistance benefits are delivered by means of an electronic benefit transfer system. Recipients may also choose to have their cash benefits directly deposited into their financial institution. Determining that Parents or Caretakers are Ready to Engage in Work Citation: 42 U.S.C. 602 (a)(1)(A)(ii) How the state will “Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with section 407(e)(2).” Parents or caretakers receiving TANF cash assistance are required to engage in work or work activities beginning at the point of application. A work-eligible person is defined as an adult or minor head-of-household included in the TANF assistance unit. Excluded from this definition is a parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home, who does not attend school on a full-time basis, provided the need for such care is supported by medical documentation. Each parent or caretaker included in TANF cash assistance benefits is required to participate in activities designed to assist them in becoming employable or in obtaining employment. An assessment of work- eligible persons is initiated at the time of application. Participation is monitored by local staff. • A work-eligible person must participate in work activities an average of 30 hours per week, unless the person is a single custodial parent with a child under age 6 who must participate an average of 20 hours per week. • In a two-parent family: