Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program

In addition to the federal funded TANF programs, Indiana will utilize TANF Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds to support the following separate state programs for families who meet the definition of TANF eligible detailed below:

• Textbook Reimbursement Program
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Individual Development Accounts (IDA )
• Early Intervention/First Steps Medical Services
• Community Health Centers
• Community Based Services
• Solely-State Funded Cash Assistance Minimum Grants

Textbook Reimbursement Program: Indiana provides payment for the elementary and secondary school textbook rental fee of families whose income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Benefits for this program are accessed through an application form processed by the school system. The application is a form, which facilitates access to the free or reduced price school meals programs administered through the United States Department of Agriculture.   

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): This tax credit is available to an individual who, in a year, has at least one qualified child. As of the 2018 tax year, the following thresholds apply.

• $49,194 if you have three or more qualifying children, increasing to $54,884 if you're married and file a joint return.
• $45,802 if you have two qualifying children, increasing to $51,492 if you're married and file a joint return.
• $40,320 if you have one qualifying child, increasing to $46,010 if you're married and file a joint return.
• $15,270 if you have no qualifying children, or $20,950 if you're married and file a joint return.
   
  The EITC cannot exceed 9% of the federal credit. It is only the refundable portion of the tax credit is reported as MOE. 
   
  Individual Development Accounts (IDA): The IDA Program is designed to offer Hoosier households the opportunity to build assets, accumulate savings, and learn personal finance skills so that they may pay for education, start or buy a business, or buy a home.  The funds are administered by a Community Development Corporation (CDC). Qualified individuals receive state funds to match their contributions to the IDA. The state match is three times the amount deposited by the individual up to $800 per year. The state contribution for families with dependent children who receive public assistance or have incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level will be counted towards MOE.
   
  Early Intervention/First Steps Medical Services: First Steps provides medical services to all Hoosiers regardless of eligiblity. First Steps does not provide comprehensive medical care, but provides services determined necessary by the child’s early intervention team to meet the his or her developmental needs. Services are authorized through the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) with the support of the child’s primary care physician. Funding will be used to pay for the costs of services that are not otherwise paid by Medicaid. Funding is blended with existing sources and will be transparent to the family, although the funding will be separately identifiable for the purposes of accountability. Unless stated otherwise, Indiana defines for TANF that a ‘qualified family’ must have a gross family income below 400% FPL. Indiana Code (IC) 12-14-1(3)
   
  Community Health Centers: The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Office of Primary Care (OPC) administers the Community Health Center (CHC) Operating Grant. Funds are received from part of the Master Tobacco Settlement as authorized by the Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 108 – 111th General Assembly, March 2000. The ISDH-OPC promotes the development and operation of community-based primary healthcare services, including family planning, in areas of need that improve the health status of medically underserved populations of Indiana.
   
  A community health center provides primary health care services by state licensed professionals, which are also comprehensive in scope, coordinated within the community, acceptable, accessible, affordable, appropriate, and available.  Payment for services is based upon a sliding fee scale. Unless stated otherwise, Indiana defines for TANF that a ‘qualified family’ must have a gross family income below 400% FPL. Indiana Code (IC) 12-14-1(3)
   
  Community Based Services: Through a variety of local agencies, townships, and third-party foundations, and community-based organizations and service providers, Indiana offers an extensive array of MOE help and services to children and families whose income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level.  These include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• Township emergency financial and material assistance and services programs;
• Food assistance programs, including pantries, soup kitchens, and summer feeding programs;
• Youth development and mentoring programs;
• Pre-school and child development programs;
• After-school programs of education, homework guidance, recreation, and enrichment;
• Programs of United Way agencies that meet a TANF purpose;
• Individual, marital, and family counseling services;
• Community centers that provide a variety of family supports and services;
• Comprehensive domestic violence services and shelters that provide families counseling, a safe haven, and the provision of basic needs;
• Homelessness shelters, housing, employment, and stabilization services;
• Income tax clinics;
• Employment, housing and community re-engagement for ex-offenders;
• Residential shelter and outreach to independent teens;
• Classes in parenting, child development, and financial management;
• Programs that provide public awareness, education, and advocacy to prevent child abuse and neglect in families, to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and to promote marriage and fatherhood; and
• Postsecondary career, vocational, and technical education programs for youth or parents.

Solely-State Funded Cash Assistance Minimum Grants: Since October 1, 2011, TANF Cash Assistance recipient families determined eligible for a $0 TANF grant due to employment income are eligible for a minimum. The minimum grant paid will be solely state funded. To qualify for a minimum grant, the family must meet the following criteria:

• The household’s income is below the TANF cash assistance income eligibility limit (100% FPL).
• The household’s countable income is above the maximum benefit amount.
• A parent or caretaker has income from employment.
• Parent or caretaker is not serving a sanction or voluntary quit penalty.
• The family must be receiving TANF cash assistance in the month prior to becoming a $0 grant case.

The family must continue to meet all financial and non-financial requirements of the TANF Cash Assistance program to receive the minimum payment. If the family meets all other eligibility requirements, the minimum grant remains in place until:

• The household’s circumstances change (income decreases, change in household composition, etc.) and it is once again eligible for a TANF grant;
• The employed parent/caretaker loses employment; or

The household’s countable income exceeds 100% FPL.