TANF Household Living Arrangements 400-19-45-20

(Revised 4/1/2013 ML #3362)

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For TANF purposes, a home is the family setting maintained or in the process of being established as demonstrated by the assumption and continuation of responsibility for day-to-day care of the child by the parent or relative with whom the child is living. A home exists as long as the parent or relative continues to exercise responsibility for the care and control of the child even though the child or the parent/relative may be temporarily absent from the home.

 

Assistance may not be denied to otherwise technically eligible families merely because they are homeless; that is, having no fixed address. Thus, a lack of a permanent dwelling or of a fixed home address does not constitute a barrier to the receipt of TANF. While residency requirements must be met a fixed address within the state is not necessary.

 

Individuals residing for a full calendar month in any living arrangement not listed below are not eligible for TANF.

 

Within this interpretation, TANF eligibility and benefit level for children and adults is determined according to the individual’s living arrangement as follows:

  1. Admitted to a Public Institution: A Public Institution is an institution or facility that is the responsibility of a governmental unit or over which a governmental unit exercises administrative control. Examples of a Public Institution are:  Veterans Administration Hospitals, North Dakota Veteran’s Home, North Dakota Youth Correctional Center, North Dakota State Penitentiary, Cass County Juvenile Detention Center, and city, county, or tribal jails, etc.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Public Institution’.

  1. Anne Carlsen Center: The Anne Carlsen Center is located in Jamestown, ND and is an Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled. The Center serves children with specialized health care and education needs.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Anne Carlsen Center /ICFID’.

  1. Away at School: An individual who resides temporarily in another North Dakota community to attend school or training.
  2. The individual is eligible to be included in TANF benefit.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Away at School’.

  1. Away from Home [Not School]:  An individual who resides temporarily in another North Dakota community for employment purposes.
  2. The individual is eligible to be included in the TANF benefit.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Away from Home [Not in School]’.

  1. Basic Care: The Basic Care Program helps aged, blind or disabled individuals who need services in a licensed, basic care facility to pay for their care.   

At the time the individual becomes TANF eligible or enters a facility, a medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Basic Care Facility/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Bismarck Transitional Assessment Center: The Bismarck Transition Center (BTC) is a comprehensive, community-based correctional program designed to help eligible, non-violent offenders transition back into the community. It provides the opportunity to develop necessary skills that assist offenders in obtaining essentials such as employment and housing once they are released into society.  The program provides residents with a full-range of treatment services that decrease the likelihood of re-offense upon release.

The Bismarck Transitional Assessment Center contracts with the offices of parole and probation to serve as a transitional living center and to provide assessment services.  

 

Individuals entering this facility on a voluntary basis while on probation are not inmates. A plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Hospital or Halfway House/In Own Home’.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Transitional Living Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Boarding School/Arrangement: A Boarding School is a school where some or all students study and reside with their fellow students during the school term. The word 'boarding' in this sense means to provide food and lodging.

Note: If a child was removed from the home of a parent or relative by court order as a result of neglect or abuse and placed in a boarding school arrangement, there is no eligibility for the $45 monthly personal needs allowance.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Boarding School/Away at School’.

  1. Camp Grassick: Camp Grassick is located on Lake Isabel near Dawson, ND, and provides services to children and adults with various disabilities and special needs. Six different camping sessions during the summer focus on different needs - therapy for children between the ages of 7 through 15, social interaction with peers, adults with disabilities, and the blind and visually impaired.
  2. A child member of the TANF household receiving physical and/or speech therapy at Camp Grassick during the summer months is eligible to be included in the TANF benefit for the full TANF Basic Standard of Need.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

  1. Home and Community Based Services - In Own Home: This program helps eligible individuals who would otherwise require nursing care services to remain in their homes. This includes individuals who receive HCBS services under the Aged and Disabled or Developmental Disability waiver.
  2. Individuals receiving Home and Community Based Services in their own home remain eligible for a TANF benefit.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Home and Community Based Service in Own Home’.

  1. Home and Community Based Service - In Specialized Facility: This program helps eligible individuals who would otherwise require nursing care services to reside in a specialized facility.   This includes individuals who receive HCBS services under the Aged and Disabled or Developmental Disability waiver.
  2. Individuals receiving Home and Community Based Services in a Specialized Facility for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Home and Community Based Serv / Specialized Facility.’

  1.  Hospital/Halfway House:
  2. A hospital is an institution where individuals receive medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment. A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.
  3. A halfway house provides a temporary residence for individuals waiting for institutional placement or for those individuals who have left an institution and who are preparing to re-enter the community. (Examples of these facilities are city and county hospitals, halfway houses, etc.) A plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

 

When an individual enters either a hospital or halfway house:

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Hospital or Halfway House/In Own Home’.

  1. In Own Home: An individual who resides in the home of the TANF applicant or recipient.

Note: A child member of the TANF household who resides in the home but is under the jurisdiction of the court and receiving probation services or protective supervision is eligible to be included in the TANF household.

 

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

  1. Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled (ICF/ID): An ICF/ID facility is primarily for the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation for people with intellectual disabilities or other related conditions, and provides treatment and care in a protected residential setting to help individuals function at their greatest ability. ICF/ID services are defined in regulations as those items and services furnished in an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities such as ongoing evaluation, planning, 24-hour supervision, coordination, and integration for health or rehabilitative services.
  2. Children placed in an ICF/ID are ineligible for TANF Benefits beginning the first full calendar month they reside in the facility.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Intermediate Care Facility/ID (ICF/ID)’.

  1. Job Corp: Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 obtain a better job, make more money, and take control of their lives.

The Burdick Job Corps in Minot opened in September 1994 to serve North Dakota residents. Since Job Corps is required to serve low-income students, many may come from families who are receiving assistance. The Center also has a Solo Parent Program which offers residential facilities to allow a single parent the option of bringing their child(ren) to the Job Corps Center while receiving education and training. The Center has an on-site Child Development Center operated by Head Start which will provide child care while the parent is in training.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Job Corp/Away from Home (Not School)’.

  1. Licensed Foster Home: Foster care is 24-hour, out-of-home care for children whose parents are unable, neglectful, or refuse to provide for their children's needs. Foster care meets their needs for food, clothing, shelter, security, safety, guidance and comfort.
  2. Children placed in Foster care are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

    Note: If a child returns home for a trial period of 30 days or more and the Foster Parents do not continue to receive a foster payment, the child must be added back into the TANF case, if the child is a mandatory household member.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Licensed Foster Home/Specialized Facility’.

  1. New Hope Program: The New Hope Program is located in Minot, ND and is a private company that provides Drug Abuse and Addiction rehabilitation and treatment.

The living arrangement would be ‘In Own Home.’

 

If the woman is not pregnant or does not have her child(ren) residing with her, she may be eligible. A treatment plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

  1. If the individual is not expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry, the individual is not eligible for TANF beginning the first full calendar month following the month of entry.  
  2. If the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months, the individual continues to be eligible to be included in the household (full TANF Basic Standard of Need) for three complete calendar months following the month of entry.
  3. Beginning the fourth calendar month, the individual is eligible for a $45.00 monthly personal needs allowance.  The individual may be eligible for the $45.00 personal needs allowance for up to nine months.   

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Hospital or Halfway House/In Own Home'.

  1. North Dakota Schools for the Deaf and Blind:  
  2. The North Dakota School for the Deaf is located in Devils Lake, ND, and provides educational services to children with severe to profound hearing loss.  
  3. A child member of the TANF household who resides at the School for the Deaf is eligible for only the $45 monthly personal needs allowance.
  4. The North Dakota School for the Blind is located in Grand Forks, ND, and provides a full range of service options based on individual strengths and needs to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  5. A child member of the TANF household who resides at the School for the Blind is eligible for only the $45 monthly personal needs allowance.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘School for the Blind or Deaf / Specialized Facility’.

  1. Nursing Home: A nursing home is a place of residence for individuals who have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living and require constant nursing care. Residents include the elderly and younger adults with physical disabilities. Adults, 18 or older, can stay in a skilled nursing facility to receive physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies following an accident or illness.  

At the time the individual becomes TANF eligible or enters a facility, a medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Nursing Home/Long Term Care Facility’.

  1. Kay’s Place (Formerly Open Home): Kay’s Place is a licensed group home located in Minot, ND, and provides residential services for girls 12 through 19 years of age who are unruly, delinquent, neglected, pregnant, or substance abusers.  Kay’s Place is available as either a resident or day-student basis.
  2. Individuals who reside at Kay’s Place as a Foster care setting are ineligible for TANF Benefits beginning the first full calendar month they reside in the facility.  

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Licensed Foster Home/Specialized Facility’.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Boarding School/Away at School’.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

  1. Out of State Institution for the Intellectual Disabled: An out of state institution for intellectually disabled individuals that provides psychiatric and chemical dependency services.
  2. Children residing at an out of state institution for the intellectual disabled for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Out of State ID Facility’.

  1. Perry Center: The Perry Center is located in Fargo, ND, and provides a range of maternity related residential and educational services to unmarried expectant mothers.
  2. An individual who resides at the Perry Center is eligible to be included in the TANF household of her parent/guardian up to her third trimester.
  3. In her third trimester she is eligible to apply on her own behalf as she is residing in a supervised living arrangement. The benefit will be based on the TANF Basic Standard of Need for one adult.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Perry Center/Away From Home [Not School]’.

  1. Prairie at St. John's Center: Prairie at St. Johns Center is located in Fargo, ND, and provides psychiatric and chemical dependency services to patients and families of all ages.

A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Prairie at St. Johns/IMD Facility’.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

  1. Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: Facilities that are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and provide inpatient psychiatric services.
  2. Children placed in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center (PRFT)’.

  1. Residential Treatment Center: A Residential Treatment Center provides:
  1. Live-in therapy/behavior modification for adolescents who present a variety of conditions, ranging from drug abuse to violence to sexual behavioral problems;
  2. Live-in therapy for adults and adolescents with alcohol, substance abuse or sex addiction;
  3. Live-in treatment for individuals who are sex offenders.
  1. Individuals residing in a Residential Treatment Center for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

Current facilities that meet this definition include, but are not limited to: Heartview Foundation (Bismarck), Centre Inc. (Fargo, Grand Forks and Mandan), and Center for Solutions (Cando)

Note: Additional facilities, not identified above, can be researched at http://theagapecenter.com/Treatment-Centers/North-Dakota.htm to determine if they meet the definition of a Residential Treatment Center.

 

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Residential Treatment Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Robinson Recovery Center: The Robinson Recovery Center located in Fargo, ND, is a Residential Treatment Center for individuals with methamphetamine addiction.  A treatment plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.
  2. If the individual is not expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry, the individual is not eligible for TANF beginning the first full calendar month following the month of entry.
  3. If the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months, the individual continues to be eligible to be included in the household (full TANF Basic Standard of Need) for three complete calendar months following the month of entry.
  4. Beginning the fourth calendar month, the individual is eligible for a $45.00 monthly personal needs allowance.  The individual may be eligible for the $45.00 personal needs allowance for up to nine months.   

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Robinson Recovery Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Saint Gianna’s Maternity Home: The Saint Gianna’s Maternity Home is located in Warsaw, ND and provides care for pregnant women who are 18 years of age and older.  The home provides food and clothing to pregnant women and their children in times of personal crisis as well as education and counseling services.
  2. A person who resides at the Saint Gianna’s Maternity Home is eligible to be included in the full TANF Basic Standard of Need.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘In Own Home’.

  1. Sister’s Path: Sister’s Path is a drug/alcohol treatment center, located in Fargo, ND, serving women and their families.  
  2. While residing at Sister’s Path, if a woman is pregnant or has a child(ren) residing with her, the family is allowed the full TANF Basic Standard of Need for their household.  

The living arrangement would be ‘In Own Home.’

 

If the woman is not pregnant or does not have her child(ren) residing with her, she may be eligible.   A treatment plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Robinson Recovery Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Stadter Psychiatric Center: The Stadter Psychiatric Center, located in Grand Forks, ND, provides Psychiatric services to adolescents (ages 13 through 18) and adults (ages 18 and older).  Children ages 10-12 are served if screening determines services are appropriate.

A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Stadter Psychiatric Center/IMD Facility’.

  1. State Hospital: The State Hospital is located in Jamestown, ND, and provides specialized psychiatric and substance abuse services for individuals over age 21 whose needs exceed the resources and capacity of other community services. Services are provided on an in-patient or residential level of the hospital: Adult Psychiatric Service and Chemical Dependency Service. A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.
  2. If the individual is not expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry, the individual is not eligible for TANF beginning the first full calendar month following the month of entry.
  3. If the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months, the individual continues to be eligible to be included in the household (full TANF Basic Standard of Need) for three complete calendar months following the month of entry.
  4. Beginning the fourth calendar month, the individual is eligible for a $45.00 monthly personal needs allowance. The individual may be eligible for the $45.00 personal needs allowance for up to nine months.   

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘State Hospital (Age 21 and greater)’.

  1. State Hospital - under 21: The State Hospital is located in Jamestown, ND, and provides specialized psychiatric and substance abuse services for individuals under age 21 whose needs exceed the resources and capacity of other community services. Services provided on an in-patient or residential level of the hospital include Chemical Dependency and Child and Adolescent. A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.
  2. If the individual is not expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry, the individual is not eligible for TANF beginning the first full calendar month following the month of entry.
  3. If the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months, the individual continues to be eligible to be included in the household (full TANF Basic Standard of Need) for three complete calendar months following the month of entry.
  4. Beginning the fourth calendar month, the individual is eligible for a $45.00 monthly personal needs allowance.  The individual may be eligible for the $45.00 personal needs allowance for up to nine months.   

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘State Hospital/IMD Facility (Under age 21)’.

  1. Swing Bed: A swing bed is a unit within a hospital or critical access hospital (CAH) participating in Medicare that has Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) approval to provide post-hospital skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care and meets certain requirements. A medical plan must be provided verifying the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry.
  2. If the individual is not expected to return home within 12 calendar months from the month of entry, the individual is not eligible for TANF beginning the first full calendar month following the month of entry.
  3. If the individual is expected to return home within 12 calendar months, the individual continues to be eligible to be included in the household (full TANF Basic Standard of Need) for three complete calendar months following the month of entry.
  4. Beginning the fourth calendar month, the individual is eligible for a $45.00 monthly personal needs allowance.  The individual may be eligible for the $45.00 personal needs allowance for up to nine months.   

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Swing Bed/Long Term Care Facility.

  1. Teen Challenge: North Dakota Teen Challenge, located in Mandan, ND, is a faith-based residential recovery program for individual’s age 18 or older battling drug and alcohol addiction.
  2. Individuals placed in Teen Challenge’s residential recovery program for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Residential Treatment Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Transitional Living Facility: A Transitional Living Facility is a facility that provides programs designed to help offenders transition into the community.
  2. Individuals placed in a Transitional Living Facility for a full calendar month are ineligible for TANF Benefits.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Transitional Living Center/Specialized Facility’.

  1. Voluntary Placement: The Volunteer Placement Program is not a foster care placement. The child could be placed in a facility that is not inpatient care including PATH and county foster families or facilities, i.e. Manchester House, Dakota Boys Ranch, Prairie Learning Center, etc. The parents retain care, custody, and control of the child. Children in the Volunteer Placement Program are considered temporarily out of their home with a plan to return to their parental unit. The length of stay in a facility varies depending on the needs of the child.
  1. Children placed into a facility under the Volunteer Placement Program are eligible for the $45.00 clothing allowance provided all other factors of eligibility are met for the TANF Program. The out-of-home payment will be part of the TANF benefit paid to the parent/caretaker.

In the automated computer system, the Living Arrangement that should be selected is ‘Voluntary Placement/Specialized Facility’.