Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 290 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 290-2 - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Subject 290-2-28 - TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM
Rule 290-2-28-.02 - Definitions

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Unless the context otherwise requires, the words and phrases set forth herein shall mean the following:

(a) "Applicant" means a person who applies for assistance under the state plan.

(b) "Assistance" means the temporary assistance provided to needy families with children in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, all applicable laws of this state, and regulations of the Board of Human Resources.

(c) "Board" means the Board of Human Resources.

(d) "Cash assistance" means the money payment component of the TANF assistance.

(e) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources.

(f) "Department" means the Department of Human Resources.

(g) "Earnings" means payment received in return for services rendered.

(h) "Family" means one or more children living with a responsible parent, both parents, or other caretaker relative or legal guardian.

(i) "Family maximum" means the maximum amount of cash assistance per month that can be paid to a family based on the number of individuals in the family.

(j) "Gross income ceiling" is the amount of income, currently set at 185% of the Standard of Need, that a family may not exceed to be potentially eligible for Georgia TANF cash assistance.

(k) "Income" means all money received by all members of the family from any source.

(l) "Recipient" means a person who receives assistance pursuant to the state plan.

(m) "Resident" means an individual who resides in Georgia.

(n) "Resources" means cash, property or assets owned by members of the family which are available to be converted into cash to meet financial obligations.

(o) "Sanction" means a 25% reduction of any cash assistance provided to a family for an initial material violation of program requirements and termination of cash assistance for a subsequent material violation. Material violations are listed at Rule 290-2-28-.17(1)(a) through (c). The 25% reduction for an initial material violation shall continue for a minimum of one month or until compliance with the requirement which was violated, up to a maximum of three months.

(p) "Standard of need" means an amount, set by the General Assembly, that is a compilation of the cost of basic needs indexed to the number of individuals in the family.

(q) "State plan" means the plan submitted by the State of Georgia to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended particularly by the Act of August 22, 1996, Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended.

(r) "TANF" means temporary assistance for needy families.

(s) "Work activity" means a work activity as defined by Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The term currently includes any of the following:
1. Unsubsidized employment;

2. Subsidized private sector employment;

3. Subsidized public sector employment;

4. Work experience, including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing, if sufficient private sector employment is not available;

5. On-the-job training;

6. Job search and job readiness assistance, but such activity by a recipient shall be limited to no more than six weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive, unless the state's unemployment rate is 50 percent above the national average, in which case such activity shall be limited to no more than 12 weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive.

7. Community service programs;

8. Vocational educational training, not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual;

9. Job skills training directly related to employment;

10. Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of a high school equivalency;

11. Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in a case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate of high school equivalency; and

12. The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program.

O.C.G.A. Secs. 49-1-2, 49-2-6, 49-4-3, 49-4-183.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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