Ala. Admin. Code 660, ch. 660-2-2, app A, att. 660-2-2-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Attachment 660-2-2-.03 - FAMILY ASSISTANCE (FA) PROGRAM SUMMARIZED ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Persons who apply for or receive cash benefits must meet certain requirements. They must help determine eligibility for benefits. They must participate in activities that will help them become able to support their families. This includes cooperating with child support and JOBS. Persons who do not cooperate may be denied or may lose benefits.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

A. The child must live in the home of a parent or other close relative.

B. A person can only receive FA benefits as an adult for 5 years in his or her lifetime.

C. The child must be under age 18 unless in school. If in school the child may receive benefits through the month before the 19^th birthday or the last month in school, whichever is earlier.

D. The child must be a U.S. citizen or a legal, eligible alien.

E. The child must live in Alabama. A person who has been convicted of giving a false address to get help from two States at the same time cannot receive benefits for ten years.

F. The child cannot be receiving foster care from the Department of Human Resources.

G. The child must not be participating in a strike. No family member may receive FA if a parent or stepparent is on strike.

H. The relative must cooperate with Child Support unless the Department decides s/he has a good reason not to cooperate.

Child support received for a child is assigned to the State Department of Human Resources when an application for FA is made for the child.

I. The relative must turn over all child support payments to the State.

J. The relative must give a Social Security number for each member of the assistance unit. If a member does not have a Social Security number, the relative must apply for a number. The number must be provided when received.

K. The relative must participate in the JOBS Program. The relative must accept a job unless the County Department tells him or her otherwise. Parents under age 18 who are dependent children are required to participate.

L. The relative must apply for any other benefits for which they may be eligible, such as Veteran's Benefits, Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, etc.

M. A parent who is under age 18 and his or her children must live with an adult. This adult must be a relative or a legal guardian. If an adult relative or guardian is not available, the parent under 18 and his or her children must live in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement.

N. The relative must tell the worker about family circumstances. The relative may be asked to prove some or all of the family circumstances with documents.

O. A parent under age 18 with a child that is at least 12 weeks old must have a high-school diploma or be in school or a training program.

P. The child or relative must not be breaking a condition of parole or probation. The child or relative must not be a convicted felon who is on the run to avoid arrest, trial or jail. The child or relative must not have been convicted of a felony for the use or sale of a controlled substance or having a controlled substance.

Q. A parent must sign and meet the terms of their Family Responsibility Plan.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

R. The child must be in need by agency rules and not have parents or stepparents who can support him/her. "In need" means the family does not have net monthly income that equals or is more than the payment standard and is eligible for at least $10. The payment standard is listed below. In determining need, the income of all persons in the assistance unit is counted. Before earned income is counted, a 20% work expense and child care are subtracted from gross income.

FA STANDARDS
FAMILY PAYMENT SIZE	PAYMENT STANDARDS
1	165
2	190
3	215
4	245
5	275
6	305
7	335
8	365
9	395
10	425
11	455
12	485
13	515
14	545
15	575
16	605

"Family" means all persons included that make up the family size. Generally, persons to be included are the parents and brothers and sisters of the child(ren) living in the home. Other children related to the parent(s) such as stepchildren and nieces, etc. may be included.

(If a child in a group of brothers and sisters is included, all of his/her brothers and sisters who live in the home must be included if eligible.) The income of all persons in the unit is used to determine eligibility. A family with income that is equal to or more than the payment standard for the family size is not eligible for FA.

Examples of Income:

* Wages, commissions, salaries

* Social security benefits, VA benefits

* Child support

* Unemployment compensation benefits

* Cash contributions from friends, relatives or others

Family assistance will be paid for recipients who are eligible for at least $10 for up to five years. Benefits are not paid for less than $10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

* WHERE TO APPLY

You must apply for FA at the Department of Human Resources in the county where you live. You must take part in an in-office, private interview with a worker. The application interview may start with a general explanation of the program to a group of applicants.

* REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants: You must report any changes in your family's situation that occur after your interview and before your case is awarded.

Recipients: You must notify the Department within 10 days of any change in your family's situation after your case has been approved. . You must give the Department all information needed for a complete review at least every twelve months. The County Department may ask for some of the information needed in a group interview with other recipients.

* OVERPAYMENTS

You will have to pay back any overpayment you receive for any reason. If you receive an overpayment due to fraud, you may be subject to prosecution or other penalty.

* REVIEW OF ACTION TAKEN ON YOUR CASE

- You may notify the County Department or the State Department of Human Resources in Montgomery, Alabama if you are dissatisfied. You may ask for a conference with the County Department, a review by the State Department, or a formal hearing. (The State Department and the County Department operate under the same rules.)

- You may make a written request for a hearing within 60 days of the action taken. The parent, other relative, legally appointed representative, or other authorized person must make the request.

- Your hearing may be conducted by telephone.

- Your attorney or someone representing you may be present with you at a hearing or conference.

- You may withdraw your request for a hearing when concerns are otherwise resolved.

* CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

You will be eligible for child support services while you receive FA. Child support services will continue when FA payments are stopped unless you request that services stop.

* DAY CARE

You may be eligible for childcare after your FA benefits have stopped. You must need childcare because you are working and you must apply for the care within six months of FA closure and meet other requirements.

* FOOD ASSISTANCE

You may be eligible for food assistance even if you do not get FA. For more information, contact your worker or your County Food Assistance Office.

* MEDICAID

You may get Medicaid even if you do not get FA. If you have any questions or want to apply for Medicaid, contact your County Health Department or call 1-800-362 -1504 to find a Medicaid office near you.

* ALL KIDS

Your child or teen may be able to get low-cost healthcare coverage. Call toll-free: 1-888-373 -5437 if you have questions or apply on-line at www.adph.org/allkids.

* LEGAL ASSISTANCE

You may be able to get free legal help. You may contact a local Legal Services office or other community agency. Your county office can help you find them.

* OTHER HELP AVAILABLE

You may want to access the Camellia Health and Human Services website www.camellia.alabama.gov for information about other program and services available in the State.

* NONDISCRIMINATION: Your race, color, birthplace, sex, handicap, beliefs, age or religion do not matter. Program rules are the same for everyone. Tell us if you have a physical, mental or learning problem that limits a major life activity. We may be able to help you to fully use existing programs and services.

Reference Only

Ala. Admin. Code 660, ch. 660-2-2, app A, att. 660-2-2-.03

Effective June 28, 1983. Emergency amendment effective October 1, 1984. Permanent emergency amendment effective June 1, 1988. Succedent permanent amendment effective September 13, 1988. Succedent emergency amendment effective October 1, 1989. Succedent permanent amendment effective December 11, 1989. Succedent emergency amendment effective October 1, 1990. Succedent permanent amendment effective January 9, 1991. Succedent emergency amendment effective December 30, 1991. Succedent permanent amendment effective April 10, 1992. Succedent emergency amendment effective December 17, 1992. Succedent permanent amendment effective March 11, 1993. Succedent permanent amendment: Filed February 6, 1995; effective March 13, 1995. Permanent amendment effective March 13, 1995 superseded by emergency amendment effective March 3, 1995. Amended: Filed May 4, 2007; effective June 8, 2007. Amended: Filed October 6, 2009; effective November 10, 2009.

Author: Jeri Farrior

Statutory Authority: Social Security Act, Title IV-A; 45 C.F.R. 206.10, 233.36et seq.; P.L. 98-369, effective October 1, 1984; State Plan for Title IV-A; Code of Ala. 1975, Title 38.