TANF

After individuals are certified for TANF, they must send all child support payments received to the OAG Child Support Division. The OAG:

sends the $75 disregard to the individual;

reimburses the state for TANF paid to the individual; and

sends HHSC the monthly interface file of child support collections for TANF recipients.

HHSC uses the information to determine whether the collection exceeds the grant plus the disregard, and to determine grant in jeopardy if it exceeds the grant.

If the individual receives child support for an SSI child in the household, the OAG will distribute (directly to the individual) the prorated share of support intended for the SSI child.

The month after the OAG receives a child support payment, the OAG will send the individual up to $75 (disregard payment). The amount sent is the lesser of:

the court-ordered payment amount,

the amount the OAG received during a given month, or

$75.

When the OAG receives a child support collection that exceeds the grant plus unreimbursed assistance, the excess is sent to the individual. Form H1714, Notice of Grant Jeopardy; Form H1715, Notice of Excess Payment; or Form H1717, Notice of Grant Jeopardy/Excess Payment — Denial, will notify the advisor of the date and amount of the payment.

A grant-in-jeopardy EDG may be generated for EDGs involving SSI children. In processing the grant-in-jeopardy, TIERS determines whether the prorated share of child support exceeds the TANF grant, minus the disregard. If the prorated share exceeds the TANF grant, minus the disregard, TIERS will deny the EDG. If the amount does not exceed the TANF grant, TIERS will allow the TANF EDG to continue.

Example: The household consists of a caretaker and one child who receives TANF and one child who receives SSI. - $300 child support for both children - -150 will go directly to SSI child - 150 child support for TANF child - - 75 disregard - $75 does not exceed TANF for a caretaker and one child; the state retains the child support

Note: If the individual appeals the action described in A-852, Automated Process , and receives continued benefits, the advisor must count the excess payment as income during the appeal period if the advisor anticipates that the child support payments will continue.