Determining the Standard of Need in Various Circumstances 400-19-110-10

(Revised 8/1/2023 ML #3740)

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Household composition and size determines the Standard of Need to be used when determining eligibility for TANF Benefits. TANF cases, where the Caretaker/Relative chooses to be excluded from the TANF Benefit or has been disqualified and cannot cure the disqualification are referred to as ‘Child Only Cases’.

• Households where the Caretaker/Relative(s) has a participation code of ‘OU’, ‘SS’, ‘DA’, ‘DD’, or ‘DF’, will be considered ‘Child Only Cases’. When determining the grant amount using the TANF Basic Standard of Need Chart, the row for -0- Eligible Caretakers will be utilized.
• Households where the Caretaker/Relative(s) is eligible, or has a Participation Code of ‘DI’ (Disqualified – JOBS Sanction) or ‘DM’ (Disqualified – Child Support), will not be considered ‘Child Only Cases’. The Caretaker/ Relative will be included in the Standard of Need, and a deduction of $474 for one Caretaker or $670 for two caretakers will be made from the TANF Basic Standard of Need.

 

The following case types illustrate the appropriate TANF Basic Standard of Need:

1. If the only legally responsible caretaker is eligible (IN) for TANF, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker and the number of eligible children.
2. If the only legally responsible caretaker is a pregnant woman and is eligible (IN) for TANF and in her third trimester with no other eligible children, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker with zero children.

Note: If the pregnant legally responsible caretaker has other eligible TANF children, the TANF Basic Standard of Need does not consider the needs of the unborn.

3. If the only legally responsible caretaker is disqualified for reasons of non-compliance with JOBS or Child Support (DI or DM) the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker and the number of eligible children.
4. If a child is determined to be a Benefit Cap child, even though that child is not eligible to receive a TANF benefit, the child is included in the TANF Basic Standard of Need. The TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker, the Benefit Cap child, and any other eligible children.
5. If the only legally responsible caretaker is disqualified for reasons of their Alien or Fraud status, (DA or DF), the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on zero caretakers and the number of eligible children.
6. If the only legally responsible caretaker is an SSI recipient (SS) the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on zero caretakers and the number of eligible children.
7. If a child, who is a mandatory household member in the TANF household, is an SSI recipient (SS), the child is not TANF eligible and is not included in the TANF Basic Standard of Need. The TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on the caretaker and any other eligible children.

 

In each of the above situations instances, if there are two legally responsible caretakers, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on the status of each caretaker and the number of eligible children.

 

The following case types illustrate the appropriate TANF Basic Standard of Need when the caretaker is non-legally responsible:

1. If the non-legally responsible caretaker is eligible (IN) for TANF, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker and the number of eligible children for whom TANF is requested.
2. If the eligible, non-legally responsible caretaker is subsequently disqualified for reasons of non-compliance with JOBS or Child Support (DI or DM), the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on one caretaker and the number of eligible children for whom TANF is requested.
3. If the non-legally responsible caretaker opts out (OU) for TANF, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on zero caretakers and the number of eligible children for whom TANF is requested.
4. If the ineligible, non-legally responsible caretaker is disqualified for reasons of non-compliance with Child Support (OU) the TANF Basic Standard of Need is based on zero caretakers and the number of eligible children for whom TANF is requested.
5. If the non-legally responsible caretaker opts in for TANF and is disqualified for reasons of their Fraud status (DF), the TANF Basic Standard of Need would be for zero caretakers and the number of eligible children for whom TANF is requested.

 

A household consisting of eligible caretaker(s) and children may have related children residing with them for whom the caretaker has no legal responsibility but who are also eligible for a TANF benefit. In this instance, the TANF Basic Standard of Need is determined by combining the total number of eligible children residing in the household with the appropriate number of eligible caretakers.