MR #20.21: TANF Payment Level Increase

10/09/2020

Summary:

The maximum benefit levels provided to TANF and Refugee recipients will increase effective October 2020 as follows:
- The cash payment level for TANF and Refugee cases is increased to 30% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size;
- TANF Child Only payment levels are 75% of the Adult/Child TANF payment levels.
IES will recalculate active cases and will issue Notice of Decision (Form 360C) if SNAP decreases.
For cases on the regular roll at the close of October 2020 cut-off, IES will calculate the amount of the increase and send Notice of Decision (Form 360C).
The Initial Employment Deduction amounts are changed effective 10/01/2020.
The Family Assist medical program income standards, which are based on TANF standards, will increase effective October 2020.

Due to state law, the Cash payment level for all TANF and Refugee cases is increased to 30% of the FPL for the TANF family size effective October 1, 2020. TANF grants for child only cases will remain at 75% of a TANF unit of the same size that consists of a caretaker relative with children.

The increase will be reflected in 10/01/2020 regular roll payments.

The Initial Employment Deduction (IED) amounts have changed as a result of the TANF payment level increase.

Computation of Active Cases

The increase is effective for cases active for the October 2020 payment month. IES will compute cash payments, parental liability, sanction, and recoupment amounts based on the new payment levels.

SNAP will also be recomputed as a result of increased cash payments.

If the computation using the new payment level causes a decrease in the SNAP, IES will generate Notice of Change (Form 360C) to the customer.

New Payment Levels

Size of unit	Adult/Child	Child Only
1	$319	$239
2	$431	$323
3	$543	$407
4	$655	$491
5	$767	$575
6	$879	$659
7	$991	$743
8	$1,103	$827
9	$1,215	$911
10	$1,327	$995
11	$1,439	$1,079
12	$1,551	$1,163
13	$1,663	$1,247
14	$1,775	$1,331
15	$1,887	$1,415
16	$1,999	$1,499
17	$2,111	$1,583
18	$2,223	$1,667

IED

# in Unit	IED	# in Unit	IED	# in Unit	IED
1	$213	7	$661	13	$1,109
2	$288	8	$736	14	$1,184
3	$362	9	$810	15	$1,258
4	$437	10	$885	16	$1,333
5	$512	11	$960	17	$1,408
6	$586	12	$1,034	18	$1,482

Family Assist Standards

Effective October 2020, Family Assist medical program income standards are increased. Family Assist standards are based on TANF income standards. Starting 10/01/20, use the new amounts for any manual calculations completed when determining eligibility, and when authorizing Family Assist medical extensions for October 2020 or later. The system will use the new Family Assist income amounts effective October 2020.