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Subject: Families First Authorization and Case Management

Policy 23.18 Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 d. Caretakers age sixty-five (65) and older. 3. AUs are not eligible for a differential grant when the caretaker is: a. Not included in the AU because they are an ineligible non-citizen. b. A minor parent. Designation of a Protective Payee 1. A protective payee will be named for an AU in the following situations: a. The customer applying for Families First has a guardian, in which case the guardian will be named payee for the grant. b. A child who has a legal guardian is living in the home with a relative within the specified degree of relationship, in which case the guardian will be named payee for the AU. c. The caretaker is a minor age fourteen (14) or under, or is a minor deemed in need of a protective payee. d. The caretaker has failed to comply with EBT restricted locations requirements as outlined in policy 23.12 Families First EBT Location Restrictions. e. The caretaker has failed to comply with drug testing requirements as outlined in policy 23.06 Families First Drug Testing. f. There is an emergency situation that will not exceed a three (3) month period. When an emergency situation becomes known, the caseworker will: i. Determine the nature of the emergency, the whereabouts of the caretaker and the children, and the name, telephone number, and address of the person reporting the emergency. ii. Secure the name of a protective payee (from the caretaker, if possible). iii. Determine continued eligibility for the AU and make any necessary changes. iv. Review the case within three (3) calendar months to determine the AU’s circumstances and determine ongoing eligibility. 2. Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) employees cannot be named as a protective payee. 3. A business cannot be named as a protective payee. Changes Between Renewals 1. Families First customers must report any change in circumstance to TDHS within ten (10) calendar days of the date the change occurs. a. The Eligibility Counselor or TANF Case Manager will request verification of all reported changes in writing. b. The request for verification will allow ten (10) calendar days from the date the request is mailed to provide verification of the change.