Family Accountability policy was introduced in 11/95. Under Family Accountability, the Payment Level for the family was not increased for newborns unless the case met one of the exceptions.
This policy was put in place statewide except for all cases in Williamson County and control cases in Auburn Park. Effective 04/01/96, cases in Williamson County were assigned to C (control) or E (experimental) group. With the implementation of TANF
in 07/97, cases in Auburn Park and Williamson also became subject to Family Accountability policy, making the policy applicable statewide.
From the date the policy was implemented, a 10-month grace period was allowed for women who were already pregnant when the policy became effective. The starting times and grace periods for each area were as follows:
- experimental cases in Auburn Park Family Community Resource Center as of 01/01/96;
NOTE: If a birth occurred to a cash unit member on or before 10/31/96, the cash unit received an increase in the Payment Level. Starting 11/01/96, if a woman who received TANF had a baby, the Payment Level
does not increase, unless an exception applies.
- experimental cases in Williamson Family Community Resource Center as of 04/01/96;
NOTE: If a birth occurred to a unit member by 01/31/97, the unit received an increase in the Payment Level. Starting 02/01/97, if a woman who received TANF had a baby, the Payment Level does not
increase, unless an exception applies.
- control cases in the Auburn Park and Williamson local offices as of 07/01/97;
NOTE: If a birth occurred to a unit member by 04/30/98, the unit received an increase in the Payment Level. Starting 05/01/98, if a woman who received TANF had a baby, the Payment Level does not
increase, unless an exception applies.
- all cases in all other offices as of 01/01/96.
NOTE: If a birth occurred to a cash unit member on or before 10/31/96, the cash unit received an increase in the Payment Level. Starting 11/01/96, if a woman who received TANF had a baby, the Payment Level
does not increase, unless an exception applies.
Change in Family Accountability Policy
Effective 01/01/04, as the result of a state law change, the TANF Payment Level is not capped for a child born on or after 01/01/04. The Family Accountability provisions continue to apply to TANF cases with a capped Payment Level for children born
prior to 01/01/04.
Elimination of Family Accountability Policy
Effective 07/01/07, state law does not allow the TANF Payment Level to be reduced due to the presence of a child born under Family Accountability policy.
