134 HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS TO THE FANF 60-MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT (FAM)

SR 10-18 Dated 10/10

Previous Policy

____________________________________________________________

Certain financial assistance groups (AGs) may be eligible for cash assistance beyond the Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) 60-month state and federal lifetime limit.

Family Assistance Program (FAP) Assistance Groups

FAP AGs in which an adult has received 60 months of FANF are permanently exempt from the 60-month lifetime limit so long as the AG continues to meet FAP eligibility requirements. See Section 203.03, FAP (Family Assistance Program).

All Other FANF Assistance Groups Except for FAP

All other FANF AGs other than FAP must request an extension of assistance when an adult in the AG has reached the FANF 60-month lifetime limit. Eligibility for the extension to the FANF 60-month lifetime limit is based on the AG verifying the presence of one or more hardship reasons listed in Section 134.03, Specified FANF Hardship Extension Criteria, and meeting the general hardship extension criteria described in Section 134.01, FANF Hardship Extension General Requirements.

• If a hardship is found to exist, financial assistance eligibility may be extended for up to 6 months.

• *Only one extension, based on one hardship criterion, is approved at a time.

• If a family is still experiencing the same or a different hardship at the time a 6-month extension period ends, the family can request and be found eligible for another extension.

• Families whose eligibility is extended beyond 60 months due to a hardship must continue to meet all eligibility and NHEP work program requirements during the extension period.

• If the hardship ceases to exist before the end of the 6-month extension period, or the AG fails to meet NHEP work program requirements, the extension ends, subject to current policy on advance notice and right to Administrative Appeal. See Section 134.11, FANF Hardship Extension Review Process.

• If the case closes prior to the end of an extension period, any remaining payroll periods cannot be carried over to a future extension.

 

 

References: He-W 602.09(b),(g)&(h); 42 USC 608(a)(7)(C)