TANF Information and Referral Services 430-05-20-85

(Revised 09/01/2020 ML3587)

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Any household in which ALL members receive or are authorized to receive TANF Information and Referral Services are eligible as a TANF Information and Referral Services (TANF I & R) household.  SNAP households receive TANF I & R services through the receipt of the DN 246 - TANF I & R brochure or the DN 405 - Application for Assistance Guidebook.  All applicants and recipients are authorized and notified of these services by signing the Application for Assistance or the Application for Review. Both of these forms include a statement that if the household is eligible for TANF Information and Referral Services, the household has been notified and is authorized to receive TANF Information and Referral Services.

 

The county will provide individuals with information and referrals to various other agencies, programs, organizations and community/county resources that could be of benefit to the household (such as housing, Child Care Assistance, Salvation Army, Community Action, Job Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, etc.).

 

Automatic Asset Test

TANF I & R households will automatically pass all asset tests in TECS based on participation codes.

 

Households must provide verification of assets, if questionable, in order to receive TANF Information and Referral Services. If assets are questionable based on sound judgment of the eligibility worker and the household fails or refuses to provide verification, the household is not eligible for TANF Information and Referral Services.

 

If a household is not eligible for TANF I & R, verification of questionable assets is required. The worker must send the Notice of Eligibility denying the application or review for failure to provide information to the household.

 

Exception:

Households with a member who is disqualified for work requirements, a disqualified alien, an ineligible ABAWD, or failure to provide an SSN can remain TANF I & R eligible.  The household must pass the asset test, 200% gross income test and the 100% net income test. Only the disqualified individual’s assets are applied to the asset test.

However, if a household with a disqualified member also includes a member that is elderly or disabled, the household must pass the asset test and 100% net income test. Only the disqualified individual’s assets are applied to the asset test.

 

Exception:

When an individual in a SNAP household reports they have received lottery and/or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case and the household will not be considered categorically eligible.

 

Income Test

TANF I & R households must pass the 200% gross income and 100% net income test based on household size.  If the household fails the 200% gross income or 100% net income test, the worker must deny the application using the Notice of Eligibility with excess asset information documented.  When a household’s net income exceeds the level at which benefits are provided, the worker must deny the application using Notice of Eligibility with the zero benefit information documented.

 

Exception:

If the TANF I & R household fails the 200% gross income test and includes an elderly or disabled household member, the household is not considered a TANF I & R household and must be tested a second time under regular SNAP rules.  Regular SNAP rules require these households to pass the asset test and 100% net income tests only.

 

If the household fails the asset test, the worker must deny the application using the Notice of Eligibility with the excess asset information documented.  If the household passes the asset test but fails the net income test, the worker must deny the application using the Notice of Eligibiltiy with the excess income information documented.

 

Non-TANF I & R Households

Households with a member who is disqualified for fraud (DF) are not TANF I & R eligible.  The household must pass the asset test, 130% gross income test and 100% net income test.  All household members’ assets are applied to the asset test.

 

Exception:

When an individual in a SNAP household reports they have received lottery and/or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case and the household will not be considered categorically eligible.