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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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Chapter 18 State and Federal Time Limits

18.1 State Time Limit The Family Independence Act limits certain BGs (those not meeting the State time limit exception criteria) receiving benefits from the TANF Program to 24-months in a 10-year period. These BGs may be eligible for a time limit extension. However, the Family Independence Act allows that, in certain situations, benefits may be extended beyond the 24-month time limit. The decision to extend benefits will be made through a two-step staffing process, which will begin, in the 21st month of eligibility.

1. Twenty Second Month Staffing A two-step staffing must be completed by the end of the twenty-second (22nd) month of eligibility to determine if the recipient meets the criteria for an extension of benefits.

The two-step staffing process involves:

Step 1 - A case review in the 21st month involving the completion of the DSS Form 3707, TANF Staffing Summary, including the 21st month review section.

Step 2 - A face-to-face interview in the twenty-second (22nd) month to review extension criteria and ongoing eligibility requirements, or to review with the recipient his/her plans (including the future well-being of the children) after the TANF benefit ends. Completion of the 22nd month case staffing section on the DSS Form 3707.

2. Second Appointment If the recipient does not respond to the appointment notice for the 22nd month staffing, a personal contact (telephone call or written correspondence) must be made in an attempt to reschedule the appointment.

Chapter 18