Statutory Authority
45 CFR § 260.20
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) modified the Social Security Act and established the TANF program. TANF is a federally funded cash assistance program designed to assist low-income families with minor children in the home.
* Needy as determined by DSS standards; and
* Living in the home of a parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative.
14 DE Reg. 304 (10/01/10)
Statutory Authority
45 CFR § 201, § 261, § 263, § 264, § 265, § 270, § 283
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a capped Federal Block Grant made available to the states to provide cash assistance to needy families with minor children.
* A state has an unemployment rate of at least 6.5% and the average rate is at least 10% higher than the same quarter in either of the two preceding years; or
* The number of Food Supplement Program recipients from the three most recent months for which data is available is 10% greater than the monthly average number of individuals that participated in the Food Supplement Program in FY 1994 or 1995 (whichever is lower) in the same three-month period.
* Use TANF funds as required by federal law;
* Submit required TANF data collection reports;
* Satisfy TANF work participation requirements;
* Comply with basic TANF maintenance of effort requirements;
* Comply with the TANF five-year limit on assistance;
* Maintain TANF assistance to an adult single custodial parent who cannot obtain child care for a child under the age of six;
* Penalize TANF recipients for child support non-cooperation;
* Penalize TANF recipients who refuse to engage in work;
* Use the Income Eligibility and Verification System (IEVS); or
* Replace a penalty reduction with state funds.
If a child is living with a minor parent and the minor parent receives State Only Foster Care payments, the child may receive cash assistance. The minor parent cannot be included in the cash assistance program.
The minor parent may be a TANF payee if she cares for the child and is capable of handling funds. Contact the minor parent's Child Protective Services worker for this determination.
If someone other than the minor parent cares for the child or if the minor parent is not capable of handling funds, an adult in the household may be payee.
The minor parent is not included in the TANF grant and the State Only Foster Care payment is not considered income to the child.14 DE Reg. 304 (10/01/10)
The Title IV-E Eligibility worker within the Department of Services to Children, Youth and Their Families will determine if the child is eligible for Title IV-E funds. A child could be in foster care for a period of time before the IV-E eligibility determination is made. The child receives State Only Foster Care payments until Title IV-E eligibility is established. The Title IV-E Eligibility Worker will notify the DSS Social Worker when the Title IV-E determination is completed and the starting date for Title IV-E matching funds. The DSS Social Worker will contact the Title IV-E Eligibility Worker (phone number: 633-2517) at each application and redetermination to determine the foster care funding source. If the funding changes from State Only Foster Care to Title IV-E Foster Care, close the child's cash assistance grant.
16 Del. Admin. Code § 3000-3000
25 DE Reg. 534( 11/1/2021) (Final)