Description:Family Assistance (FA)
Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to needy families that include a minor child living with a parent (including families where both parents are in the household) or a caretaker relative. FA operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines.
Under FA, eligible adults are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime, including months of TANF-funded assistance granted in other states. Once this limit is reached, that adult and all members of his or her FA household are ineligible to receive any more FA benefits. The months need not be consecutive, but rather each individual month in which TANF-funded benefits are received is included in the lifetime count. The counting of this 60-month limit began in December 1996 in accordance with the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
Parents and other adult relatives who can work must be working or involved in work-like activities. Parents are also responsible for cooperating with the local department of social services in locating any absent parent. Non-cooperation without good cause could result in lower benefits.
In addition, all applicants for assistance are screened for substance abuse to determine the necessity of rehabilitation and treatment.
Safety Net Assistance (SNA)
If you are not eligible for other assistance programs, you may be eligible for SNA. SNA is for:
Single adults
Childless couples
Children living apart from any adult relative
Families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol
Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment
Persons who have exceeded the 60-month limit on assistance
Aliens who are eligible for temporary assistance, but are not eligible for federal reimbursement
Generally, you can receive cash SNA for a maximum of 2 years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible for SNA, it is provided in non-cash form, such as a 2-party check or a voucher. In addition, non-cash SNA is provided for:
Families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol
Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment