This bill adds to the provisions governing temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) funds, as discussed below.
Under present law, a family is eligible for temporary assistance if:
(1) A dependent child resides in this state with a caretaker relative in that family, or an individual who applies for temporary assistance is pregnant, or as otherwise defined by the department of human services;
(2) The family meets income standards based upon the standard of need for a family based upon its size and income and based upon resource limits as determined by the department in its rules;
(3) The family members are engaged in work activities set forth by this provision, except as exempted by the temporary assistance provisions or by rule of the department of human services;
(4) The caretaker relative has agreed to and complies with a personal responsibility plan as developed by the department; and
(5) The family or individual of the family is otherwise eligible pursuant to federal or state laws or regulations.
This bill requires the department to:
(1) Promulgate rules, to the extent permitted by federal law and in compliance with federal guidance, to create a two-year pilot program, utilizing TANF funds, establishing an optional alternative temporary assistance pathway and offering enhanced cash assistance for families with individuals actively pursuing a degree, professional certification, or other educational advancement. The pilot program will conclude two years from the effective date of the rules promulgated pursuant to this bill. In addition to any additional requirements established by the department under this provision, the present law eligibility requirements for TANF funds will apply. The maximum enhanced grant amounts for families participating in such pathway must be established by the department by rule and not exceed 200 percent of the maximum grant amount authorized under present law. The cost of such program may not exceed the amount of the state's annual federal TANF block grant award;
(2) Implement a work reimbursement program, utilizing TANF funds, to assist employed individuals receiving temporary assistance in maintaining employment and achieving economic stability by reimbursing certain expenses incurred due to employment. A family with an eligible adult who is working and whose earned income is used to determine the amount of the temporary assistance grant is eligible for the work reimbursement program with the following exceptions: the family must not contain a mandatory member who is disqualified or ineligible; the family must not have been sanctioned two or more times within the last 12 months; and the family must not have received a diversion payment within the last six months; and
(3) Implement an educational incentive program, utilizing TANF funds, to provide incentive payments to temporary assistance recipients complying with the work component requirement, who achieve certain educational milestones in furtherance of achieving economic stability.
For the purposes of items (2) and (3) above, this bill will take effect October 1, 2021. For all other purposes, this bill will take effect upon become law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17-2-121