us-sc/policy/acf/tanf-plan

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us-sc/policy/acf/tanf-plan · Axiom

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6 leave the program and become self-reliant. It is the policy of the State of South Carolina that personal responsibility and parental responsibility must exist if citizens are to attain independence. The welfare system is based upon a reciprocal agreement between TANF recipients and taxpayers because it is to the benefit of the citizens of the State to transition recipients from welfare to work. The State will temporarily support needy parents if they will undertake appropriate steps to attain employment and self-reliance. TANF assists families to become economically independent, provides tools to achieve and maintain self- reliance, and deters abuse of the system through fair and meaningful sanctions.

1.4 Program Objectives (1) To support family life by paying a monthly benefit, providing support services, education, job training and job placement and promoting continued employment with increasing income until the family's total financial resources rise above the eligibility level for public benefits. (2) To achieve long term improvement in family functioning through collaboration and mutual planning with families. (3) To ensure a well-coordinated service delivery system to assess multiple barriers to employment and provide treatment, training, education and job placement services. (4) To advance economic independence and support stable families by providing preventive services such as after school activities, home visitation programs, and counseling and treatment services. (5) To prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies by providing teen pregnancy prevention programs and family planning activities. (6) To encourage the formation and maintenance of two parent families through educational initiatives and marriage friendly agency policies. (7) To support children and two parent families by offering child support services and encouraging father involvement. (8) To support and stabilize families of children with caretaker relatives by providing counseling, child care and support services to the caretaker relatives in child only cases. (9) To encourage individual responsibility by providing the tools to achieve and maintain self-reliance and deter abuse of the TANF system through the imposition of fair and meaningful sanctions. (10) To promote self-esteem, self-dignity, and self-worth of the TANF recipients through maximizing employment opportunities within the State and through

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7 the development of entrepreneurial and job opportunities in conjunction with the private business community. (11) To provide employment retention and advancement activities to employed clients to enhance job skills and promote career advancement. (12) To provide emergency assistance to or on behalf of needy children under age 18 and other family members where the children are the subject of abuse or neglect or have been in substitute care and can be reunited with their families. (13) To ensure that families that are not eligible for TANF payments or who are no longer receiving assistance are aware of, and have access to, all benefits available to them. (14) To evaluate the status of current and former TANF recipients by collecting data to assess program quality and outcomes for children and their families.

1.5 Public Involvement In order to inform both public agencies and private sector organizations, a Notice of Public Interest was published on the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) website (https://dss.sc.gov) stating the availability of the South Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan. Interested parties were notified the draft TANF State Plan, which provides for cash assistance and support services for the TANF Program (formerly AFDC), is being made available for public review and comment. The public comment period complies with the provisions of Public Law 104-193, Section 402(a)(4)(B), dated August 22, 1996. Interested parties were notified that copies of the plan would be made available to them by contacting the Department of Social Services, Economic Services Division of Policy and County Operations, P.O. Box 1520, Columbia, SC 29202-1520, (803) 898-9473 and that comments must be made within 45 days, in writing, to Ms. Dana Outlaw, Division Director, at the above address.

In addition, the text of this document was made available on the same website at https://dss.sc.gov.

1.6 TANF Benefit Restrictions The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P. L. 112-96) requires South Carolina to maintain policies to prevent TANF families from accessing or using their benefits in any liquor store; casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or any retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.

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8 1.6.1 TANF Benefits South Carolina provides TANF benefits through three methods: (1) Paper checks – for recipients who have demonstrated electronic card misuse or recipients without the appropriate demographic information to establish a bank account; (2) Deposit into a debit account with a branded MasterCard (ePay); and (3) Direct deposit into a personal account by state procedure, limited to non- parents with custody of the TANF eligible child(ren).

South Carolina does not use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for cash programs.

TANF recipient payments delivered electronically to debit accounts, called ePay, are set up by a contracted vendor. The only funds deposited in the account are those issued by DSS and can be accessed only by the debit card. ePay accounts are governed by FDIC regulations. In South Carolina, any TANF recipient, without the appropriate demographic information, will receive benefits in the form of a paper check.

Instructional material and information regarding the ePay cards, TANF restrictions, benefit access, customer service, fees, etc., are issued, upon approval, to recipients in a cardholder “Welcome Packet” by our contractor.

1.6.2 Benefit Access and Fee Information A. South Carolina recipients receive information on how to access benefits without paying fees as well as applicable fees and surcharge information. The recipient is free to choose the most advantageous and safest method to access his/her benefits. Access to benefits is not limited to locations at which cash is provided. Recipients may access benefits at automated teller machines (ATM) or use Point-of-Sale (POS) devices to make purchases at locations that accept MasterCard. Recipients have free access when the ePay card is used in transactions at U. S. merchants and retailers or when they receive cash back with a purchase. POS transactions allow “cash-back” options at no additional charge.

B. Recipients are allowed free, teller-assisted “over the counter” cash transactions at any bank or credit union that accepts MasterCard for the dollar amount of the recipient’s choosing. Recipients are allowed two ATM cash withdrawals for no fee per month at MoneyPass® ATMs. A $1.50 fee will be assessed for each additional ATM withdrawal. Out-of-Network ATM withdrawals will also assess $1.50 fee for withdrawals not conducted at MoneyPass® ATMs. ATM owners and operators may charge an additional fee called “surcharge” or “convenience fee” to use their ATM. DSS state office staff review the fees charged monthly in order to monitor and evaluate the

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9 utilization of the funds. The ePay card can be used for electronic bill paying via the internet.

Information regarding applicable fees and surcharges are included in the recipient’s “Welcome Packet” and are also included on an “ePay Flyer” in the Resource Library of the DSS Website that is available to the public. https://dss.sc.gov/resource-library/forms_brochures/files/1202.pdf

1.6.3 State Compliance A. South Carolina State Regulation 114-1150 – Determination of Benefits – provides the TANF benefit restrictions. 114-1150(F) states that TANF payments are not to be accessed, by electronic transaction using a Point-of Sale device, ATM, or access to an online system for the withdrawal of funds or the processing of a payment for merchandise or a service, at any of the following locations: i. A liquor store. A liquor store means any retail establishment which sells exclusively or primarily intoxicating liquor. Such term does not include a grocery store which sells both intoxicating liquor and groceries including staple foods (within the meaning of section 3(r) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008(7U.S.C. 2012(r)). ii. A casino, gambling casino or gaming establishment. iii. An adult oriented entertainment establishment which is defined as a retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment are prohibited. B. Merchant Category Code blocks were placed on the SC ePay cards to prevent the use of the ePay cards at the retailer types listed below: i. Package Stores/Beer/Wine/Liquor ii. Betting/Track/Casino/Lotto C. DSS provides information to new ePay TANF clients which give details on how to access TANF benefits and restrictions described in 1.6. D. DSS includes TANF restrictions in written notices sent at initial approval and at annual redetermination. E. Posters with restrictions have been distributed to all 46 county offices and provided to partners contracted by DSS to serve our TANF population. F. DSS has placed the restriction information on the DSS webpage, at www.dss.sc.gov.

South Carolina does not allow the operation of casinos within its borders, nor does the one federally recognized Indian tribe in South Carolina operate a casino on tribal land. Adult entertainment businesses are not regulated by state licensing or local regulations, nor are

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10 there unique Merchant Classification Codes for adult entertainment businesses. Local governments default to local ordinances for nuisance businesses (e.g., tattoo shops, chicken or pig operations, etc.), if there are issues relating to a local business. The MCC used by some of these businesses is the same as can be used by theaters or museums (i.e., entertainment or education). DSS continues to seek avenues to address this unregulated group.

1.6.4 Penalties South Carolina State Regulation 114-1140 Q(1)(c)(iv) has been revised to state that DSS will recover an overpayment from any assistance unit of which an adult member accessed all or part of their monthly payment at a liquor store, casino, gambling casino or gaming establishment or an adult-oriented entertainment establishment. If TANF benefits are used at such locations, the transaction amount is considered an overpayment and a claim must be established against the household and the claim investigated by DSS Benefit Integrity staff. Overpayment means a financial assistance payment received by or for an assistance unit for the payment month exceeds the amount for which the unit was eligible. The Benefit Integrity staff work in concert with the DSS Law Enforcement agents to obtain required bank transaction records to establish the claim. DSS has uniform statewide procedures for recovery of overpayments of assistance.

2.0 ADMINISTRATION 2.1 Structure DSS is a cabinet level department under the Governor's Office. The State Director, who is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate, has direct line supervision over the 46 County Directors who administer the program.

2.2 Role of Public and Private Contractors TANF is an interagency partnership between DSS and many other State government agencies. This partnership facilitates the ongoing coordination and collaboration that are essential to the planning and provision of services designed to meet the human service, employment and training, and educational needs of the TANF clients. DSS is also a partner with other public and private organizations that share in the TANF mission. These partners include service providers, community action agencies, the business community, local advisory committees and the faith community. Contracts are in place and others will be established with public and private entities to provide pregnancy prevention services, after school activities, home visitation services, and other prevention activities that promote safe and stable families.

Currently, coordinated memorandums of understanding ensure that TANF staff understands the type of services offered so that appropriate referral will be made on behalf

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11 of the client. These agreements include, but are not limited to, those with the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Commerce, Department of Employment and Workforce, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education (inclusive of local school districts), Department of Mental Health, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.

2.3 Indian Tribes Indians living in the State who are tribal members will be treated as residents of the State and are subject to the same eligibility criteria as any other resident.

2.4 Statewideness The State will conduct the TANF Program, designed to serve all political subdivisions in the State (not necessarily in a uniform manner) to provide assistance and/or services to needy families with children, in all 46 counties of South Carolina. Activities of these offices related to the TANF program include accepting and processing applications for assistance, conducting reviews and redeterminations of eligibility and managing a program of work activities and requirements.

2.4.1 Program Requirements Program operating guidelines which include all policies, procedures, etc., for the determination of initial and continued eligibility will be issued to the county offices by DSS State Office as needed. Such operating guidelines contained in department program manuals or other correspondence is binding on the county offices. Financial thresholds are provided in Attachment A.

Eligibility rules of the DSS will be uniformly applied in all cases in a county. The determination of need and amount of assistance for all applicants and recipients will be made on an objective and equitable basis and all types of income and potential income will be taken into consideration in the same way except where otherwise specifically authorized by State or Federal law or as stated in program operating guidelines issued by DSS.

To be eligible for TANF cash assistance a family must meet the following conditions: (1) Be U.S. citizens or meet certain alien requirements outlined in the TANF Manual, Chapter 4. (2) Be residents of South Carolina. (3) Be in need according to agency financial standards, see Attachment A. (4) The adult/teen parent must be related, within a specified degree, to a dependent child(ren) under the age of 18 living in the household.

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12 (5) The value of countable resources owned by the family must not exceed the limit of $2,500.00. (6) Cooperate in self-sufficiency requirements including work and child support enforcement activities unless deferred from work requirements or unless good cause exists not to cooperate with child support, if applicable. (7) Provide or apply for a SSN for each member of the assistance unit. (8) Must not be participating in a strike. (9) Complete applicant initial job search, if applicable.

2.5 Services to Families who Move into South Carolina Families who move into the State from another state will have their eligibility determined under the program requirements of the South Carolina TANF Program. South Carolina will not apply standards from the applicants' previous state of residence.

Note: Months of TANF benefits received in another state will be identified and counted against the federal five-year limit.

3.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The TANF Program is built around two primary components, set forth below: (1) Work Program & Self-Reliance The program provides temporary financial assistance and work training and education programs that lead to individuals' social and economic independence. (2) Prevention Programs Prevention programs focus on (a) teen pregnancy prevention, (b) strengthening and maintaining intact families, (c) assisting in the reunification of troubled families, and (d) providing short-term services and resources to resolve crisis situations that might result in welfare dependency.

3.1 Work Program and Self-Reliance South Carolina will refer work eligible individuals receiving assistance to a TANF work program case manager for development of the TANF Family Plan. The Family Plan outlines the overall strengths and growth areas within the family and actions necessary to achieve self-reliance. The assessment process involves gathering and analyzing information on external and internal factors that affect the client to determine the current level of employability and work readiness. Assessments include screenings to identify potential barriers that may affect the client’s ability to participate in work or work-related activities. Screening results may be used to refer to local service providers or qualified

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13 specialists who will provide assistance to minimize barriers such as substance abuse, physical or learning disabilities, domestic violence and other impediments to employment.

DSS will require each work-eligible individual to sign an individual employment plan. The individual employment plan is an agreement between the recipient and DSS that describes the actions necessary to fulfill the vocational goals and time frames for completing those actions. Each work-eligible individual will be placed in work-related activities consistent with his/her skills, education, experience and competence. Work activities may include: employment, on-the-job-training, job search, job readiness activities, work experience, community service programs, vocational educational activities, job skills training or educational activities. Those caretaker relative families identified as “Child-Only” will not be required to participate in the TANF work program as they are exempt from work requirements and will not require an individual employment plan. The individual employment plan is also inclusive of the entire family and set forth steps that family members can take to attain a higher level of individual functioning.

DSS currently does not have a plan to assist individuals in training for, seeking and maintaining employment in the eldercare workforce as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. DSS works with various state agencies to provide referrals of TANF participants seeking training and/or employment in the elder care workforce. Additional assistance is also available to include vocational education training, job search and job readiness assistance, and support services.

3.1.1 Job Search Requirement as a Condition of Eligibility DSS will require TANF applicants, identified as work-eligible, to conduct an initial job search. Applicants who meet the criteria outlined in Section 2.4 #1 of the TANF Manual are exempt from the initial job search requirement.

Applicants considered young custodial parents (YCP) are required to conduct an initial job search as a condition of TANF eligibility. County staff will provide job search information during the initial interview with the YCP applicant. Young custodial parents: • Are between the ages of 18-25; • Do not have a high school diploma, GED or certificate of completion; and • Have a child under the age of 12 months.

The YCP must make and document a minimum of five employer contacts during the application process. It is recommended that the search be completed within two weeks. Failure to complete the job search without good cause (good cause reasons are those generally considered to be beyond the control of the applicant) will result in denial of the application.

Individuals who are exempt from initial job search requirements are: • Ineligible non-citizens

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14 • Child only cases • Individuals required in the home (medical statement needed) • Only parent with a child under age one (YCP’s over 18 must complete IJS) • Pregnant (seventh month) • Incapacitated (verified by physician) • Teen Adult in high school or equivalent • Victims of family domestic violence (prevents IJS) • Individuals that reapply to cure a sanction within sixty days after the closure • Refugees

3.1.2 TANF Child Care and Support Services DSS is committed to providing support services for clients based on individual needs. Child care and support services are available to assist an applicant of the TANF program in order for them to conduct the initial job search, participate in approved job preparation activities, and obtain or maintain employment.

Also, clients participating in an approved educational or training activity, or who have become employed may receive support services. Support services include, but are not limited to, child care, transportation, prescription eyeglasses, physical exams, automobile repairs/car expenses, parenting programs, safety equipment, criminal records checks, and relocation assistance. Support services include coordination with other agencies for services such as alcohol and drug counseling, health services (non-medical treatment), housing services, vocational rehabilitation, mental health services and referral services, at no cost to the agency.

To allow parents to go to work, the State will provide reimbursement for child care pursuant to the state plan for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), including the principle that parents will have the right to choose the child care arrangement that best meets the needs of their children. Under the CCDF plan, the State may provide funds for care by providers who meet the State's child care regulatory requirements or for qualifying self- arranged informal child care.

The State has established criteria, procedures, and definitions for determining whether a parent is unable to obtain needed child care so that a parent's failure to work or attend training on that basis may be addressed.

3.1.3 Work Training Allowance

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15 A Work Training Allowance (WTA) is an allowance paid to a DSS Work Experience or Community Service Program participants if the number of monthly hours of work experience or community service participation multiplied by the federal minimum wage exceeds the combined dollar value of SNAP and TANF cash benefits. If the family is entitled to a WTA allowance, it must be provided as a supplemental TANF benefit.

3.1.4 Participation in Employment Preparation Programming As part of the program’s requirements, each adult and minor parent recipient determined by the case manager to be in need of employment skills training must participate in an employment preparation activity. These activities include, but are not limited to, job readiness training and supervised job search.

3.1.5 Employment Retention and Advancement The TANF Program emphasizes pre-employment job keeping skills and offers post- employment services designed to ensure continuous attachment to the labor force. In order to foster employment stability, transitional services such as child care are provided. Other retention services may be offered including intensive case management, follow-up contacts and home visits, referrals to community resources, banking and financial management, and re-employment assistance. Special services and resources may be offered to employed clients to assist in their job progression and career advancement such as employment counseling, access to job leads and skill enhancement training.

3.1.6 Transitional Child Care Transitional child care will be provided, based on available funding, for up to 24 months to individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria: (1) TANF recipients who no longer receive a cash payment due to loss or declination of earned income disregards or increased earnings. (2) TANF recipients who formerly received a cash payment and who were employed at the time their case was closed. (3) TANF recipients who formerly received a cash payment and whose cash payments were terminated due to the 24-month time limit expiration; who become employed and (a) request assistance within 24 months from TANF case closure and (b) whose income did not exceed 85% of the State Median Income. (4) TANF recipients who formerly received a cash payment and an increase in child support income causes the TANF case to close when an adult household member is employed.

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16 (5) TANF recipients who formerly received a cash payment, had earned income, and requested the removal of earned income disregards, but this does not result in a case closure. The recipient can submit a request for voluntary case closure due to earned income. (6) A household member becomes employed or increases earnings during a full family sanction, and the earnings cause the household to become ineligible. In this situation, a TANF mini budget must be completed to determine if excluded earned income or refusal of disregards would cause the TANF case to close.

Eligibility will cease if any of the following occurs: (1) The recipient no longer has a dependent child in the home. (2) Employment ends (a 30-day interruption to go from one job to another job will be deemed continuous employment). (3) The client's income exceeds 85% of the State Median Income.

Assistance may be provided for up to 24 months from the first month of eligibility. Sanctioned clients may qualify for transitional child care by obtaining a full-time job and "curing" the sanction.

The state will expect the parent to make a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale. Parents will have the right to choose the child care arrangement that best meets the need of their child(ren). Payments will be made to providers who meet the State's child care regulatory requirements. Self-arranged, informal care arrangements that do not meet the State's child day care regulatory requirements will be paid for, if prescribed basic health and safety standards are met.

3.1.7 Work Program Sanction Exemptions The recipient is exempt from the employment and training sanctions of the individual employment plan if the recipient is: (1) The only parent in the home with a child under one year of age; however, custodial parents under age 25 who have not completed their high school education are required to comply with these provisions regardless of the age of the child; (2) At least six months pregnant and the pregnancy is verified by a qualified licensed health care provider; (3) Incapacitated and the incapacity is verified by a physician as clearly precluding the recipient from engaging in current or future gainful employment, education or training;

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17 (4) Caring for an incapacitated child in the home or other adult relative whose incapacity has been verified by a physician and, if DSS considers it necessary, confirmed by an assessment performed by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation; or (5) Unable to participate because appropriate child care or reasonable transportation was not provided.

3.1.8 Domestic Violence Option DSS will provide waivers of certain program requirements (residency, child support, family cap, time limits and work requirements) pursuant to a determination of good cause of normal program requirements for so long as necessary in cases where compliance would make it more difficult for such individuals to escape domestic violence.

TANF applicants and recipients will be screened to identify individuals with a history of domestic violence. DSS has contracted with domestic violence service providers to provide comprehensive training on domestic violence to all TANF case managers.

Referrals to the local domestic violence agency for counseling and support services will be made upon identification of an individual with a history of domestic violence. Cases referred will be jointly staffed by DSS and the local domestic violence agency to develop a collaborative service plan designed to lead to self-reliance.

DSS will provide information to current and potential beneficiaries regarding resources made available to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

DSS will also ensure that case management staff, supervisors, and associated program employees are trained in: the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; state standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

3.1.9 Sanctions for Failure to Comply with Employment and Training Requirements Contained in Employment Plans Recipients not meeting the work program exemption criteria described in 3.1.7, who fail without good cause to comply with the employment and training requirements contained in the individual employment plan will be sanctioned in the following manner: (1) A 30-day conciliation period will be granted the recipient to discuss a failure to meet the terms of the individual employment plan. During the 30-day period the recipient may (a) establish good cause for failure to meet the terms of the

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18 individual employment plan, (b) agree to meet, in the future, the terms of the individual employment plan, or (c) terminate the conciliation process. If at the end of the conciliation process the participant does not comply, TANF benefits must be terminated by imposing a full-family sanction. The recipient has the right to appeal the Department's decision to impose a sanction. At the end of the appeal period, if the Fair Hearing decision is not in the recipient's favor, all TANF benefits must be terminated. Benefits may be reinstated when the recipient agrees to comply according to the terms of the agreement and demonstrates a willingness to comply by participating in the employment and training program or obtaining a full-time job for a period of 30 days. (2) Terminate all benefits if the recipient completes the training requirements contained in the individual employment plan and then refuses an offer of employment without good cause.

3.1.10 Requirement for Treatment of Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse DSS may require the following recipients of benefits to participate in an alcohol or drug treatment program approved by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) as a part of their individual employment plan. If the recipient refuses, he/she is ineligible for benefits.

TANF recipients will be referred to DAODAS for clinical assessment for participation in an alcohol or drug treatment program who: (1) Have been identified by a case manager, with concurrence from a supervisor, as possibly in need of alcohol or other drug abuse treatment services using screening indicators provided by DAODAS; or (2) Have within six months prior to the date of last application for TANF or have subsequently been convicted of an alcohol or drug related offense; or (3) Within six months prior to the date of last application for TANF or subsequently gives birth to a child who tests positive for drugs.

Determination that substance abuse treatment is necessary will be made by appropriate clinical staff approved by DAODAS. Such staff will also assess the participant's compliance with the treatment program using recognized methods of assessment including, but not limited to, random testing. In no instance shall failure to pass a random test by itself constitute a noncompliance with treatment. For participants who complete the approved DAODAS treatment program, DSS will monitor their compliance with the individual employment plan using recognized methods of assessment including, but not limited to, random testing. Failure to pass such a random test for use of alcohol shall not constitute the basis for a sanction, but may constitute grounds for review by a clinical professional who will determine if there are additional indicators of substance abuse or grounds for resumption of treatment. DSS may sanction for noncompliance with the individual employment plan those participants who complete treatment and fail to pass a random test for use of illegal drugs.

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3.1.15 Interest and Dividend Income Interest and dividend income up to $400 per year per household is disregarded in the eligibility and benefit determination.

3.1.16 Time Limits Under State Law, a family may receive TANF benefits for no more than 24 months out of 120 months. The exceptions are: (1) An adult household member is permanently or totally disabled, whether physically or mentally and the disability is expected to last 90 days or longer. The disabled are exempted under state law and are being served in a solely funded State program. (2) An adult household member is providing full-time care for a disabled family member living in the home. (3) The teen parent/adult (both parents in a two-parent household) of the child(ren) for whom assistance is received is a minor under the age of 18 who has not completed high school. Assistance must be provided for a period of up to 24 months after the minor parent attains the age of 18 or completes high school, whichever occurs first. (4) Child care or transportation is not reasonably available for participation in work requirements. (5) The adult caretaker relative is not the parent of the child and is not included in the TANF cash benefits. (6) An adult household member is providing a home for and caring for a child whom DSS has determined to be abandoned by his or her parents and for whom the alternative placement is foster care. (7) An adult household member is involved in an approved training/education program set forth on his/her individual employment plan that will not be completed by the 24th month. An extension is granted for up to six months when the training/education program has a fixed beginning and ending date and has a specific job/vocational goal. If the program has not been completed by the 30th month and satisfactory progress toward completion is being made, the County Director may grant month-to-month extensions for as long as necessary to complete the program and secure employment. (8) Any household that contains two parents in the TANF grant, including sanctioned or disqualified parents. These clients are being served in a solely funded State program. Households that contain an SSI parent or an ineligible alien will not be considered a two-parent household.

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21 Households not meeting any of the time limit exception criteria above are subject to the 24-month time limit from the point in which the household begins receiving benefits, regardless of the time in which they become job ready.

TANF allows for up to 20% of the TANF caseload to be extended beyond the federal 60- month time limit due to hardship reasons. If one or more of the following criteria are met, an extension beyond the 60 months should be given: (1) A family member is a victim of domestic violence and the family member is enrolled in a program supervised by a recognized domestic violence advocate. (2) The family has an open case with Child Protective Services. (3) As a result of the Family Plan, an adult household member is active in a recognized substance abuse treatment program. (4) The family has reached the federal time limit, but has not yet reached the State 24-month time limit due to months received in another state. This is an extension reason only. If an applicant is ineligible in another state due to federal time limits, he/she must meet a state time limit exemption to become eligible in South Carolina. (5) An adult in the household is working a full-time job but is still eligible for a TANF benefit.

3.1.17 Family Cap DSS will not increase benefits to an eligible family as a result of a child born to that parent 10 or more months after the family begins to receive TANF benefits. This requirement does not apply if the State determines that the child was conceived as a result of rape or incest.

DSS may provide benefits for a child born after 10 months in the form of vouchers that may be used to pay for goods and services as determined by DSS, that permit the child's custodial parent to participate in education, training and employment related activities.

3.1.18 Recipients under the Age of 18 Must Attend School TANF recipients under the age of 18 must be enrolled in school and maintain satisfactory attendance, as defined by the South Carolina Department of Education, as a condition of eligibility for benefits, unless they have attained a high school diploma, GED or certificate of completion.

3.1.19 Requirement to Provide Certain Information for Child Support Purposes and Sanctions for Failure to Provide It As a condition of eligibility applicants and recipients of TANF must provide:

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22 (1) The first and last name of the absent parent and putative father and any known license(s) which might be subject to revocation; and (2) At least two of the following items on each absent parent and each putative father named: (a) Date of birth; (b) Social Security Number; (c) Last known home address; (d) Last known employer's name and address; (e) Either of the absent parents’ name and address. An applicant or recipient who fails to provide this information or who provides the names of two putative fathers, both of whom are excluded from paternity by genetic testing, is ineligible for assistance for herself and the child for whom parental information was not provided unless the applicant or recipient verifies there is good cause for not providing this information. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, documentation of incest, rape, or the existence of or the threat of physical abuse to the child or custodial parent.

When paternity is legally established for a child in sanctioned status, TANF benefits may be granted, if all other eligibility requirements are met.

3.1.20 Disregard of Cash Value of Life Insurance The cash value of life insurance is disregarded for any person whose resources must be counted in determining TANF eligibility.

3.1.21 Confidentiality Requirements Regarding TANF Recipients DSS restricts the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving assistance in accordance with South Carolina State Regulations, Chapter 114, Article 11, Section 114.1170, Safeguarding Information. However, DSS may disclose confidential information to agencies and entities outside the Department, that provide services to recipients to enable them to become independent and self-reliant when DSS has the recipient's signed release form on file stating that he/she consents to the release of confidential information regarding his/her household.

3.1.22 Reporting Requirements TANF recipients shall report the following changes within ten days: (1) A change in the composition of the household;

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24 (2) Victims of severe forms of trafficking (those forced into prostitution, slavery, or forced labor) through coercion, threats of violence, psychological abuse, torture, and imprisonment. (3) Aliens granted parole for at least one year under Section 212 (d)(5) of the INA, aliens battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the U.S., and aliens granted conditional entrant refugee status before April 1, 1980. (4) Lawful permanent residents who have worked or can be credited with working in the United States for 40 qualifying quarters under Title II of the Social Security Act.

3.1.27 Fair Hearings Applicants and recipients of the TANF Program are granted appeal rights from decisions they deem to be adverse. When a hearing is requested within ten days after the receipt of an adverse notice, the TANF benefits are not continued unless the recipient specifically requests in writing that they be paid pending the hearing decision. The recipient must be informed that an adverse hearing decision will require the repayment of benefits paid pending the hearing decision. Fair hearings for TANF applicants and recipients are provided for in South Carolina State Regulations, R. 114-110. The specific procedures for a Fair Hearing are found in the South Carolina Department of Social Services TANF Policy Manual, Chapter 22 - Fair Hearings.

3.1.28 Legal Basis of the TANF Program The State operates the TANF Program under the following provisions: (1) Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, as amended. (2) Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 260-265. (3) South Carolina Code of Laws of 1976, Title 43, Social Services, Chapter 5, Public Aid, Assistance and Relief Generally, Articles 1, 5 and 9. (4) South Carolina State Regulations, Chapter 114, Article 11, Family Independence Program. (5) The South Carolina Department of Social Services TANF Policy Manual.

3.2 Prevention Programs The State considers prevention programs to be critical in assisting families to provide safe, stable nurturing environments for their children. The following prevention programs will accomplish these goals.

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25 3.2.1 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention DSS contracts with entities to provide Abstinence until Marriage teen pregnancy prevention programs and services within the State. The programs provide an abstinence first, age appropriate comprehensive approach to health and sexuality education with a goal of preventing adolescent pregnancy throughout South Carolina.

3.2.2 Statutory Rape Prevention Program DSS believes that as part of the educational efforts it will provide in programs designed to promote responsible fatherhood, encourage marriage, and build character and higher self- esteem, statutory rape prevention issues will be discussed and training will be provided. TANF workers are required to report cases of suspected abuse or neglect to the Child Welfare Division/Human Services.

DSS partners with the SC Center for Fathers and Families, a faith-based organization, whose mission is to develop and support a statewide infrastructure deeply invested in repairing and nurturing relationships between fathers and families. The Center for Fathers and Families works with six local fatherhood programs in 11 locations to deliver quality, father-friendly services throughout South Carolina. The program addresses ways to overcome obstacles to becoming an engaged and responsible father by focusing on a wide range of topics such as improving employment status, family relationships, effective communication, job readiness, child support and the legal system, financial management, parenting and co-parenting, healthy relationships, men's health and education.

DSS partners with the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy which provides programs/trainings engages adult males and also addresses the problem of statutory rape. Programs provided by the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy include information regarding legal definitions and consequences of statutory rape and the SC law regarding the age of consent. Training is designed to reach state and local law enforcement officials, community educators which include teachers, coaches, nurses and other health professionals such as those providing counseling services.

DSS through its Domestic Violence and Batterers Intervention Programs provides assistance for victims, their dependents, and perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence. The goals of the Domestic Violence Programs are to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of domestic violence and ensure accessible emergency shelter and related assistance to those in need of services for the intervention and prevention of Intimate Partner Violence as well as for treatment for perpetrators. Domestic Violence Programs work with multiple government and non-government agencies to address the serious problem of domestic violence in our state and to reduce domestic violence in South Carolina. DSS partners with other state agencies such as South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Environmental Control in an effort to develop and sustain the best methods in domestic violence prevention.

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3.2.3 Emergency Assistance –Title IV-A As permitted in Section 402(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, South Carolina will continue to operate an Emergency Assistance Program as it was in effect in September 30, 1995.

Emergency Assistance is available to or on behalf of a needy child under the age of 18 and any other member of the family in which he/she is living; a needy child is defined as one without resources immediately available to meet his/her needs. Migrant workers are covered on a statewide basis. A. Kinds of Emergencies Covered: (1) Children who are the subject of a child abuse and/or neglect report and are at risk of removal from the home because of abuse, or neglect, or inability of parents to provide care. (2) Children who have been in Substitute Care less than six months and, with assistance can be reunited with their families. B. Kinds of Assistance Provided to Meet Emergency Situations: (1) Shelter cost, including rent/mortgage, utilities, fuel, and home repairs. (2) Emergency medical care and transportation, if not provided under other programs. (3) Emergency care, emergency foster care, or emergency residential group care for children separated from their families, including food, clothing, and supervision, if necessary, to effect reunification.

C. Kinds of Service Provided to Meet the Emergency Situations: (1) Information and referral, case management, counseling and in-home family services. (2) Parenting education and training and incidental homemaker support services. (3) Child and respite care.

3.2.4 Delivery of Services to Needy Families Services will be provided to needy families whose income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There is no resource test in order to receive these services. Services provided in the following paragraph will meet goal one as stated in section 1.1 of this State Plan.

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27 Services such as the following will be available; however, some of them may only be available in selected counties:

(1) Intensive case management and treatment services for low income parents (and their children) that are in need of addiction services for alcohol or other drug abuse. (2) Preschool programs will be offered with services that assist parents in promoting optimal early childhood development, school readiness, and in reducing the risk of children developing major physical, developmental and learning problems. These programs will help ensure that children arrive at school ready to learn and will increase the likelihood of eventual self-reliance. (3) After school and summer programs will be offered to students with services that provide students with basic and remedial educational services, recreational activities, life skills classes, enhancement of self-esteem, health education and parental involvement activities. (4) A unified literacy program, incorporating components from early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education programs, will be made available to low income clients.

Other services to be provided include psychological evaluations, family and group counseling, case management including home visitation, and community based assessment to determine the type of crisis intervention necessary to maintain the family or to expedite family reunification.

3.2.5 Prior Title IV-A and IV-F State Plans Reference Date South Carolina has adopted the date of September 30, 1995, as the reference date for any programs currently operated that were contained in our prior-approved Title IV-A or IV-F State Plans.

3.2.6 TANF Outreach and Employment Services In order to increase economic stability and greater levels of economic self-sufficiency, DSS provides TANF outreach services that provide information about TANF and related services or programs for which low income families might be eligible, including Medicaid, SCHIP, school lunch and other benefits. Outreach services include an informational brochure, provided to all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with income less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

Any SNAP custodial or non-custodial parent or responsible relative of a child may also receive employment services that include, but are not limited to the following: orientation, assessment, case management, employment plan development, barrier resolution, job search skill training, resume and soft skill development, job placement services, support

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28 services, retention and re-employment services. These services meet TANF purposes 1 and 2, and do not provide basic income support or constitute “assistance” under the Federal rules.

4.0 STATE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT (MOE) EXPENDITURES As a condition of receiving federal TANF funds, states are required to spend a certain amount of their own funds (“Maintenance of Effort”) on TANF-allowable categories. South Carolina’s State MOE funds are expended in the following categories:

(1) Basic Assistance: cash payments, vouchers, and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family’s ongoing basic needs (i.e., for food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items, and general incidental expenses).

(2) Education and Training Activities: secondary education; adult education, GED or equivalent and ESL classes; education directly related to employment; job skills training; education provided as vocational educational training or career and technical education; and post-secondary education.

(3) Early Care and Education: a. Child Care (spent or transferred): child care expenditures for families that need child care to work, participate in work activities or for respite purposes. Also includes funds transferred to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Discretionary. b. Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start: pre-kindergarten or kindergarten education programs, expansion of Head Start programs, or other school readiness programs.

(4) Program Management: administrative costs and systems costs related to monitoring and tracking under the program.

(5) Non-assistance: support services (including transportation), job retention programming, wage subsidies, relocation assistance, and coordination with other agencies for services such as parenting programs, safety equipment, business and job retention services. Non-assistance funding is available for TANF applicants and recipients.

(6) Other work activities: subsidized employment, on-the-job training, work experience, and community service for TANF applicants and recipients.

(7) Out-of-wedlock pregnancy prevention: in-school pregnancy prevention programs serving students whose family income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

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29 For TANF applicants and recipients, the income and resource limits are outlined in sections 3.1.11 – 3.1.15 of this plan. The maximum financial eligibility threshold for needy families not receiving a grant is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level unless otherwise noted.

5.0 PROGRAM TO INCREASE SCHOOL SUCCESS

Effective October 1, 2004, the State established a segregated state program for the purpose of increasing school success. State expenditures for this program shall be countable as State Maintenance of Effort. The goal of this state-funded pre-school program is to increase the number of children who enter first grade ready to learn and thereby increase the likelihood of school success for children in needy families.

Pre-school age children from families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for this program.

School-readiness and early school success have been shown to increase attachment to school. Attachment to school decreases the chances that teens will have out of wedlock pregnancies and increases the likelihood that children will remain in school through graduation from high school. These outcomes meet the following TANF goals:

• End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work. • Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

6.0 PROGRAM TO INCREASE EARNINGS CAPACITY Effective April 1, 2005, the State established a segregated state program for increasing the earning capacity of low income individuals in the State. State expenditures for this program, as well as other certified public expenditures, shall be countable as State Maintenance of Effort.

The goal of this state-funded scholarship program is to increase the number of students from low-income families that can attend college. High-school graduates from families with incomes at or below 200% of poverty are eligible for this program.

College graduates are more likely to achieve success in employment, increase their earnings and break the cycle of poverty. These outcomes meet the following TANF goal:

• End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work.

7.0 IMPLEMENTATION DATE

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CERTIFICATIONS South Carolina will operate a program to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) so that the children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; to end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing the incidence of these pregnancies; and encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

This program is known as: The SC TANF Program

Executive Officer of the State: Henry McMaster, Governor

State Director, Department of Social Services: Tony Catone

In administering and operating a program that provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families with minor children under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, the State will:

(1) Specify which State agency or agencies will administer and supervise the program under Part A in all political subdivisions of the State:

The South Carolina Department of Social Services is the agency responsible for administering the program;

(2) Assure that local governments and private sector organizations:

(a) Have been consulted regarding the plan and design of welfare services in the State so that services are provided in a manner appropriate to local populations; and

(b) Have had at least 45 days to submit comments on the plan and the design of such services.

(3) Operate a Child Support Enforcement Program under the State Plan approved under part D;

(4) Operate a Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Program in accordance with part E, and certify that the State will take all necessary actions to ensure that children receiving assistance are eligible for medical assistance;

(5) Provide each member of an Indian tribe, who is domiciled in the State and is not eligible for assistance under a Tribal Family Assistance plan approved under Section 412, with equitable access to assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government;

(2025)South Carolina TANF State Plan, December 2025#

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