Welcome toWelcome toTANF OrientationTANF Orientation

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Updated December 16, 2013

Department of Health & Department of Health & Human ServicesHuman Services

Office for Family Independence (OFI)Office for Family Independence (OFI)

Program EligibilityProgram Eligibility ASPIRE – Training & EmploymentASPIRE – Training & Employment Child Support EnforcementChild Support Enforcement

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OFI ProgramsOFI Programs

TANFTANF Parents as ScholarsParents as Scholars ( (PaSPaS)) Food SupplementFood Supplement Medical AssistanceMedical Assistance Emergency AssistanceEmergency Assistance Alternative AidAlternative Aid

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TANFTANF

TANF is:TANF is: TTemporaryemporary AAssistance (for)ssistance (for) NNeedy eedy FFamiliesamilies

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TANF Time LimitsTANF Time Limits

Federal and state law has placed a Federal and state law has placed a 60-60-monthmonth lifetimelifetime limitlimit on receipt of TANF on receipt of TANF cash assistancecash assistance

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Approaching Your 60Approaching Your 60thth monthmonth

You will be reminded of the 60 month time limit You will be reminded of the 60 month time limit throughout your time on TANF as we help you throughout your time on TANF as we help you work toward independencework toward independence

You will receive a notice 120 days before your You will receive a notice 120 days before your 6060thth month month

You will have the opportunity to further discuss You will have the opportunity to further discuss your options with your ASPIRE worker.your options with your ASPIRE worker.

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You have the RIGHT:You have the RIGHT:

To be treated with respect ;To be treated with respect ; To apply at any time without discrimination;To apply at any time without discrimination; To confidentiality;To confidentiality; To our decision in writing;To our decision in writing; To claim “Good Cause”;To claim “Good Cause”; To appeal if you disagree with our decision.To appeal if you disagree with our decision.

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You have You have RESPONSIBILITIES:RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participate in all activities & appointments Participate in all activities & appointments required by OFI;required by OFI;

Provide all requested verifications by the day Provide all requested verifications by the day they are due;they are due;

Read all mail, including e-mail from OFI and Read all mail, including e-mail from OFI and respond to them if asked;respond to them if asked;

Report all changes within 10-days;Report all changes within 10-days; Start looking now for a job or volunteer Start looking now for a job or volunteer

opportunities.opportunities.

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Report Changes within 10 Report Changes within 10 days…days…

Household Expense ChangesHousehold Expense Changes– RentRent– UtilitiesUtilities– OtherOther

Household Composition- Someone moves in or outHousehold Composition- Someone moves in or out Changes in IncomeChanges in Income

– Job starts or endsJob starts or ends– Unemployment income starts or endsUnemployment income starts or ends– Social Security, VA, etc. starts or endsSocial Security, VA, etc. starts or ends– Money received from other sourcesMoney received from other sources

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Failure to Report Changes, Failure to Report Changes, Income or AssetsIncome or Assets

Reporting changes is your Reporting changes is your responsibility. Failure to report responsibility. Failure to report changes timely may result in:changes timely may result in:Referral to the Fraud, Investigation & Referral to the Fraud, Investigation & Recovery UnitRecovery UnitPossible overpaymentPossible overpaymentPossible Disqualification for an Possible Disqualification for an Intentional Program ViolationIntentional Program Violation

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ASPIREASPIREASPIRE provides support leading to ASPIRE provides support leading to

employmentemployment

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ASPIRE Will Help You:ASPIRE Will Help You:

Develop Develop YOUR YOUR plan for becoming self-sufficient:plan for becoming self-sufficient: Explore the local job marketExplore the local job market Develop skills to help you:Develop skills to help you:

Get ready for workGet ready for work Find a jobFind a job Succeed on the jobSucceed on the job

Finish high schoolFinish high school Get your high school equivalency (GED)Get your high school equivalency (GED)

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Parents as Scholars (PaS)Parents as Scholars (PaS)2-4 Year College Program2-4 Year College Program

Same benefits and rules Same benefits and rules as TANF including the as TANF including the 60-month life-time limit 60-month life-time limit on assistance.on assistance.

Tuition comes from Tuition comes from other sourcesother sources

ASPIRE provides ASPIRE provides support servicessupport services

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What are Your Goals?What are Your Goals?

What will What will YOUYOU need to get started on your need to get started on your road to becoming employed?road to becoming employed?

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• ASPIRE will learn more about you ASPIRE will learn more about you through an in-depth assessment.through an in-depth assessment.

• This will help you and ASPIRE pick the This will help you and ASPIRE pick the best steps for you to achieve your best steps for you to achieve your

goals. goals.

What’s The Best Plan What’s The Best Plan For You?For You?

ASPIRE ActivitiesASPIRE Activities Work GoalsWork Goals

– Volunteer WorkVolunteer Work

– EmploymentEmployment

– On the job trainingOn the job training

– Job SearchJob Search

– Field trainingField training

Training & Educational NeedsTraining & Educational Needs

– High school diploma or equivalency (GED)High school diploma or equivalency (GED)

– Short term certificate / vocational programsShort term certificate / vocational programs

– PaS ProgramPaS Program161604/21/2304/21/23

ASPIRE Support ServicesASPIRE Support Services

Child CareChild Care

TransportationTransportation

Car Repairs and InsuranceCar Repairs and Insurance

UniformsUniforms

Tools Needed for WorkTools Needed for Work

Other job related servicesOther job related services

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Family ContractFamily Contract

Your Family Contract lists the steps you agree Your Family Contract lists the steps you agree to take to become employed.to take to become employed.

It is your responsibility to look for a job while It is your responsibility to look for a job while you are receiving TANF. If there is a special you are receiving TANF. If there is a special circumstance that stops you from looking for a circumstance that stops you from looking for a job or completing an activity, you have the right job or completing an activity, you have the right to have us review your situation.to have us review your situation.

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Good CauseGood Cause Good Cause is our decision that you had a good reason for not doing something that you Good Cause is our decision that you had a good reason for not doing something that you

agreed agreed to do in your to do in your Family Contract.Family Contract.

Be prepared to have acceptable written proof of the reason for your failure to seek employment Be prepared to have acceptable written proof of the reason for your failure to seek employment or complete an assigned activity.or complete an assigned activity.

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SanctionsSanctionsWhile we want everyone to be successful, some While we want everyone to be successful, some choose not to follow the rules of the program. If choose not to follow the rules of the program. If you chose not to follow the rules there are you chose not to follow the rules there are consequences :consequences :If you are an applicant your benefits will not be If you are an applicant your benefits will not be approved.approved.If, after you begin receiving TANF you don’t follow If, after you begin receiving TANF you don’t follow the rules you can lose your cash assistance and the rules you can lose your cash assistance and support services, including child caresupport services, including child care. You can . You can also lose part of your Food Supplement also lose part of your Food Supplement benefits.benefits.

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How Will You Support Your How Will You Support Your Family on TANF?Family on TANF?

Parent and two children with no income:Parent and two children with no income:

TANFTANF $485$485

Child Support* Child Support* ++$185 $185 (maximum*)(maximum*)

Total Total $670$670

Plus a 30+ hrs/week participation Plus a 30+ hrs/week participation requirement requirement

*Child Support depends on the amount collected from *Child Support depends on the amount collected from the other parentthe other parent

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Same Family w/ Parent Same Family w/ Parent WorkingWorking

30 hours/week x 30 hours/week x $7.50/hr$7.50/hr

Earnings =Earnings = $967/mo$967/mo

Disregard -$108Disregard -$108

-$429-$429

Countable incomeCountable income $429 $429

TANF = TANF = $191/month$191/month

Total Income to Family-Total Income to Family-

Earnings $967Earnings $967

TANF $191TANF $191Child $ 50 (Child $ 50 (maximum)maximum)

Support*Support*EITC EITC $436$436 ($5,236/yr)($5,236/yr)

Total Total $1,644/month$1,644/month

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*Child Support depends on the amount collected from the other parent

Earned Income Tax Earned Income Tax CreditCredit(EITC)(EITC)

EITC is a refundable federal income tax EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working families.credit for low-income working families.

Congress approved the tax credit in 1975 Congress approved the tax credit in 1975 to provide an incentive to work.to provide an incentive to work.

A family with qualifying children can A family with qualifying children can receive a refund of:receive a refund of: $5,891 for 3 or more children$5,891 for 3 or more children $5,236 for 2 or more children ($436/month)$5,236 for 2 or more children ($436/month) $3,169 for 1 child$3,169 for 1 child

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Every child has the right to be Every child has the right to be supported by both parents...supported by both parents...

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Division of Support Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery Enforcement & Recovery

(DSER)(DSER)

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Role of DSERRole of DSER

Locate non-TANF parentLocate non-TANF parent

Establish paternityEstablish paternity

Establish support orders Establish support orders

which can include which can include

medical support, child medical support, child

support and child caresupport and child care

Enforce support ordersEnforce support orders

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Locating the Non-TANF Locating the Non-TANF ParentParent

DSER must first know where the parent responsible DSER must first know where the parent responsible for paying child support is living or workingfor paying child support is living or working

DSER gets addresses and/or employment DSER gets addresses and/or employment information from many sourcesinformation from many sources

YOUYOU are often the best source of information…are often the best source of information…

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How Paternity Is How Paternity Is Established?Established?

Once the parent is located paternity must be Once the parent is located paternity must be establishedestablished

The named father must be given noticeThe named father must be given notice

A simple DNA test is doneA simple DNA test is done

Paternity can be legally established by a Paternity can be legally established by a court order or by both parents signing a court order or by both parents signing a voluntary acknowledgement formvoluntary acknowledgement form

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Benefits of Establishing Benefits of Establishing PaternityPaternity

The child knows who his or her father isThe child knows who his or her father is The child has inheritance rights if the father diesThe child has inheritance rights if the father dies The child can get medical information about the The child can get medical information about the

father’s family historyfather’s family history The child gets Social Security benefits if the The child gets Social Security benefits if the

father becomes disabledfather becomes disabled

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After the parent is located and paternity has After the parent is located and paternity has

been determined…been determined…

A support order will be establishedA support order will be established

Enforcement can begin and the family can Enforcement can begin and the family can get child supportget child support

If the parent who is supposed to pay child If the parent who is supposed to pay child support does not pay DSER has many ways support does not pay DSER has many ways to enforce a child support orderto enforce a child support order

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Support OrdersSupport Orders

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Your RoleYour Role

Cooperation with DSER is required to Cooperation with DSER is required to receive TANF and Child Support.receive TANF and Child Support.

You must:You must:

– Sign over rights to child support while on TANFSign over rights to child support while on TANF

– Provide information about the other parentProvide information about the other parent

– Forward child support payments made directly Forward child support payments made directly to you from the other parentto you from the other parent

– Inform DSER of changesInform DSER of changes

Remember: You may be excused from cooperation if Remember: You may be excused from cooperation if Good CauseGood Cause is granted.is granted. 303004/21/2304/21/23

How much child support will I get?How much child support will I get?

If you currently receive child support, you may not If you currently receive child support, you may not continue to receive all of that supportcontinue to receive all of that support

If child support is paid on time, If child support is paid on time, your family may get your family may get “Pass Through and Gap payments”“Pass Through and Gap payments”

““Pass Through”Pass Through” is the first $50 is the first $50 collectedcollected. This money . This money is “passed through” to youis “passed through” to you

““Gap payments”Gap payments” are made when more support is are made when more support is collected. You collected. You maymay get additional payments depending on get additional payments depending on

how much other income you havehow much other income you have..

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What DSER Cannot DoWhat DSER Cannot Do

DSER cannot:DSER cannot:

Give legal adviceGive legal advice Help w/ divorce or alimonyHelp w/ divorce or alimony Help w/ custody or property disputesHelp w/ custody or property disputes Enforce visitation rightsEnforce visitation rights

For help with these matters we urge you to For help with these matters we urge you to seek advice from a lawyerseek advice from a lawyer

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To Contact DSERTo Contact DSER1-800-371-71791-800-371-7179

24 hour a day, 7 days a week voice response service 24 hour a day, 7 days a week voice response service allows you to:allows you to:

– Report address changesReport address changes– Update medical insurance informationUpdate medical insurance information– Report a lost child support checkReport a lost child support check– Request a new PIN numberRequest a new PIN number– Request a payment historyRequest a payment history– Find out if a child support check has been sentFind out if a child support check has been sent

AddressAddress: Case Review Unit, SHS #11, Augusta, ME 04333: Case Review Unit, SHS #11, Augusta, ME 04333

FaxFax: (207) 287-2334: (207) 287-2334

E-mailE-mail: Case.Review@maine.gov: Case.Review@maine.gov333304/21/2304/21/23

Post-TANF ProgramsPost-TANF Programs

You’re Working!You’re Working!

TANF ClosesTANF Closes

What next?What next?

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Transitional ServicesTransitional Services

Child CareChild Care

TransportationTransportation

Worker Supplement Benefit (WSB)Worker Supplement Benefit (WSB)

Transitional Food Assistance (TFA)Transitional Food Assistance (TFA)

Medical AssistanceMedical Assistance

Non-Welfare Child SupportNon-Welfare Child Support

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Remember!Remember!

Open, read & respond to all mail from DHHSOpen, read & respond to all mail from DHHS

Promptly call us if you can’t keep an Promptly call us if you can’t keep an

appointment or complete an activityappointment or complete an activity

Tell us of any changes in your household as Tell us of any changes in your household as

they happenthey happen

Keep and review the information provided Keep and review the information provided

todaytoday

Start looking for work nowStart looking for work now363604/21/2304/21/23

Benefits are paid by:Benefits are paid by: Placed on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)Placed on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

card card– Balances are printed on store receipt Balances are printed on store receipt – Call 1-800-477-7428 Call 1-800-477-7428 – Swipe card in machineSwipe card in machine– Visit Visit www.PineTreeCard.com– Report a lost card immediatelyReport a lost card immediately

Direct Deposit to your bank accountDirect Deposit to your bank account Sent directly to a vendor like a landlordSent directly to a vendor like a landlord

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Use of TANF BenefitUse of TANF Benefit

State law prohibits the use of your EBT State law prohibits the use of your EBT card for any cash transaction in:card for any cash transaction in:Retail store where 50% or more of Retail store where 50% or more of the gross revenue comes from the sale the gross revenue comes from the sale of liquorof liquorGambling facilitiesGambling facilitiesAdult entertainment establishmentsAdult entertainment establishments

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It is a CrimeIt is a Crime

To intentionally give incorrect To intentionally give incorrect information to receive cash benefits information to receive cash benefits or ASPIRE support services.or ASPIRE support services.

To sell or trade your EBT card.To sell or trade your EBT card.

Public Assistance fraud affects all of Public Assistance fraud affects all of us. Do not become a statistic.us. Do not become a statistic.

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SummarySummary

TANF provides temporary assistance while you TANF provides temporary assistance while you prepare for workprepare for work

ASPIRE helps with employment, training, ASPIRE helps with employment, training, education and support serviceseducation and support services

DSER helps your child receive support from DSER helps your child receive support from his/her other parenthis/her other parent

Transitional Services may help when your TANF Transitional Services may help when your TANF benefits end because you are working.benefits end because you are working.

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Next StepsNext StepsIn a few moments you will meet with people from In a few moments you will meet with people from

the ASPIRE Program.the ASPIRE Program.

We will work closely with you as youWe will work closely with you as you

work towards your goals.work towards your goals.

Your worker will discuss how ASPIRE can support Your worker will discuss how ASPIRE can support you in your employment goals. you in your employment goals.

What steps can you take now to become self-What steps can you take now to become self-supporting?supporting?

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