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Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 Families First Authorization and Case Management Policy 23.18 Effective: July 1, 2024 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services shall authorize Families First grants to assistance units appropriate for their determined eligibility status and make changes to existing assistance units to ensure the ongoing cash grant amount is correct. Scope The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all eligible assistance units are approved for and continue to receive the correct cash grant. Policy Authorization of Grants 1. Once the assistance unit (AU) has been determined to meet all points of eligibility, the Families First grant must be authorized. 2. Once authorized, the cash grant will be made available to the AU on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card the following day, if the AU currently has a card. For AUs that do not have a card, a card with benefits pre-loaded will be mailed to them on the day following cash grant authorization. Differential Grants 1. Certain Families First AUs, with one (1) to five (5) individuals, are eligible for larger Families First grant amounts called differential grants. 2. The following AUs are eligible to receive differential grants: a. Child only cases b. Disabled caretakers as outlined in policy 23.13 Families First Work and/or Educational Activity. c. Caretakers caring for a disabled relative living in the home.