Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
(OMB Control Number: 0970-0145)
d. Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving assistance under the program attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government (section 402(a)(1)(A)(iv) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
(d) Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving assistance under the program attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government (section 402(a)(1)(A)(iv) of the Social Security Act)
To restrict the use and disclosure of information, the Secretary of DHS and the Executive Director of the FIA, or their designees, develop partnership agreements for the exchange of information to assist in the verification of cash assistance eligibility. The agreements are in writing and include procedures for requesting, obtaining, and examining the information and specify the Secretary’s designee for requesting and receiving information by title or position. Additionally, customers sign a consent form to share information needed for the verification of cash assistance eligibility. The state of Maryland elects the option to collect data on a monthly basis and report on a quarterly basis, a sample of the caseload as prescribed by the Secretary, to produce statistically valid estimates of the performance of the program. Sampling will be used only when the universe is large enough to comply with established sampling methodology. Maryland does not comment on or provide information to the media about any individual or their TANF case. Aggregate data may be provided to external stakeholders under special circumstances and only when an memorandum of understanding or court order has be secured. All MOUs are vetted by the assistant attorney general. Maryland does not provide information about individual recipients to external stakeholders unless requested through a valid court order.