203 TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) SR 06-12, 10/06 (FAM-A)

Cash assistance for NH families is offered through:

§   TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families); and

§   UP (Cash Assistance for Unemployed Parents).

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) consists of 2 separate, yet related programs: the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) and Family Assistance Program (FAP). Income and resource requirements are the same for both programs, but the FAP program has no work requirements. Both programs have a 60-month lifetime limit for receipt of assistance, although FAP cases are exempt from this lifetime limit.

TANF categorical program requirements for financial and medical assistance and medical assistance only (MA-only) include the presence of a dependent child in the household who meets all of the following:

• is deprived of the support or care of a parent;

• lives with a parent or specified relative; and

• is under 18 years of age or under age 20 and a full time student in high school or in a high school equivalency program.

Exception: Certain refugees who do not meet the categorical requirements for TANF may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). See Part 247, Refugee Assistance.

Cash Assistance for Unemployed Parents (UP) has a mandatory work requirement and a 60-month lifetime limit for receipt of assistance. Program eligibility requirements are the same as for NHEP cash assistance except that 2-parent families must additionally meet certain unemployment criteria. See Section 203.05, UP (Financial Assistance for Unemployed Parent Program), and PART 213, UP ELIGIBILITY.