TANF Changes: 5 Year Limit

If you or someone you know receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), you should know that DSHS HAS AMENDED THE RULES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON TANF/SFA (State Family Assistance) FOR 60 MONTHS (or 5 years) EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2011.

What does this mean for families that have been on for 60 months?
• Families will lose their TANF benefits if they have been on for 60 months in their lifetime, unless they qualify for an exemption or a hardship exception.

What are the exemptions?
• You are an older adult care taker relative (over 55 years old, are caring for a child, and you are not the child’s parent OR
• You are an adult with a severe and chronic disability OR
• You are required to be in the home to care for a child with special needs OR
• You are required to be in the home to care for another disabled adult

What are the hardship extensions?
• You have an open child welfare case with the state and this is the first time that you have had a child that is a dependent of the state OR
• You are working in unsubsidized employment for 32 hours or more per week OR
• You can document that you are victim of family violence and you are working with domestic violence services.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I QUALIFY FOR AN EXEMPTION OR HARDSHIP EXTENSION?
1. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIAELY CONTACT YOUR DSHS CASE MANAGER OR SOCIAL WORKER
• DSHS case managers and social workers review cases and determine if a person meets one of the exemptions or hardship extensions
2. If you think you qualify for an exemption or hardship extension you have a right to appeal the termination
If your benefits are scheduled to end January 31, 2011 YOU HAVE ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 31ST TO FILE your appeal if you want to keep getting benefits until the hearing decision. You can still file an appeal later, within 90 days of the notice, but you won’t keep your benefits while you wait.

IF YOU LOSE YOUR HEARING
• Any continued benefits will stop, and you may have to repay benefits. You will not have to repay more than 2 months of the continued cash benefits.

HOW TO FILE AN APPEAL
• Best way: Go in person to the local DSHS office. Turn in a written hearing request. Keep a copy. Have DSHS stamp your copy with the date received by DSHS. Keep this as your proof.
• Next best way: Call DSHS Be sure to speak to a person (not just a voicemail box). Get the person’s name. Write down the name, the date and time. Keep this as your proof. Ask for a fair hearing for your benefit termination. Ask the worker to make the written request to the hearings office for you.
• Another way: Fax, and mail the original the same day. Use the fax number and address on the hearing form. Keep a copy. Keep your proof of fax (fax transmittal). This is safer if you can mail it certified mail, return receipt.
• Call Office of Administrative Hearings for King County call the Seattle Office at (206) 389-3400

SEEK LEGAL HELP
• In King County: Call 2-1-1 or Solid Ground at 206-694-6742
• In all other counties: Call CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014 (Monday-Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)