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Appendix A

Supplemental Data from the Survey of States

Welfare Time Limits

Table A.1

TANF Basic Policy
State Name of Program Maximum Benefit
for Family of
Three ($)
Maximum
Earnings in
Month 5 ($)
Sanction Typea
Alabama Family Assistance 164 No limit Gradual full-family
Alaska Alaska Temporary Assistance Program 923 1,920 Partial
Arizona EMPOWER 347 586 Gradual full-family
Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance 204 697 Gradual full-familya
California CalWORKs 679 1,582 Partial
Colorado Colorado Works 356 541 Gradual full-family
Connecticut Temporary Family Assistance 543 1,157 Gradual full-family
Delaware Delaware's A Better Chance 338 988 Gradual full-family
District of Columbia TANF 379 1,296 Partial
Florida Welfare Transition Program 303 806 Immediate full-family
Georgia TANF 280 544 Gradual full-family
Hawaii Pursuit of New Opportunities 570 1,363 Immediate full-family
Idaho Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho 293 625 Immediate full-family
Illinois TANF 349-377 3 x payment Gradual full-family
Indiana IMPACT 288 408 Partial
Iowa Family Independence Program 426 1,065 Immediate full-family
Kansas Temporary Assistance for Families 403 762 Immediate full-family
Kentucky Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) 262 646 Partial
Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Prog. 240 1,260 Gradual full-family
Maine TANF and ASPIRE-TANF 461 1,103 Partial
Maryland Temporary Cash Assistance 472 637 Immediate full-family
Massachusetts TAFDC 618 1,045 Gradual full-family
Michigan Family Independence Program 459 774 Gradual full-family
Minnesota Minnesota Family Investment Program 831 1,474 Partial
Mississippi TANF 170 no limit Immediate full-family
Missouri Beyond Welfare 292 1,146 Partial
Montana TANF Cash Assistance 494 1,164 Partial
Nebraska Employment First 364 669 Immediate full-family
Nevada TANF 348 696 Gradual full-family
New Hampshire Employment Project and Family Assistance 600 1,200 Partial
New Jersey Work First New Jersey 424 848 Gradual full-family
New Mexico New Mexico Works 389 1,036 Gradual full-family
New York Family Assistance 577 1,220 Partial
North Carolina Work First 272 750 Gradual full-family
North Dakota Economic Assistance 457 784 Gradual full-family
Ohio Ohio Works First 373 975 Immediate full-family
Oklahoma Statewide Temporary Assistance Responsibility 292 702 Immediate full-family
Oregon TANF 460 616 Gradual full-family
Pennsylvania TANF 403 806 Gradual full-family
Rhode Island Family Independence Program 554 1,278 Partial
South Carolina Family Independence Program 204 609 Immediate full-family
South Dakota TANF 469 675 Gradual full-family
Tennessee Families First 185 949 Immediate full-family
Texas TANF Cash Assistance 208 328 Partial
Utah Family Employment Program 451 1,002 Gradual full-family
Vermont Aid to Needy Families with Children/Reach Up 638 1,000 Partial
Virginia TANF 320 1,157 Immediate full-family
Washington Work First 546 1,092 Partial
West Virginia West Virginia Works 453 varies Gradual full-family
Wisconsin Wisconsin Works 673 - - - Gradual full-family
Wyoming POWER 340 539 Immediate full-family

NOTES: aImmediate full-family sanctions close the case in the first instance of noncompliance; gradual full-family sanctions may reduce the size of the grant in the first instance of noncompliance, but close the case in later instances; partial sanctions reduce the size of the grant.(back)

bOr partial sanction at county's discretion.


Welfare Time Limits

Table A.2

Key Features of the Time-Limit Policies
State Shorter Time Limit (months) Lifetime Limit (months) Date Families First Exceed(ed) Limita Consequences of Reaching Limit if Extension Is Not Granted
Alabama   60 11/2001 Closes TANF case
Alaska   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
Arizona 24 in 60 None 11/1997 Removes adult; adult is eligible after 36 months of ineligibility
Arkansas   24 7/2000 Closes TANF case
California   60 1/2003 Removes adult
Colorado   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case; county may provide diversion or short-term assistance
Connecticut 21 60 11/1997 Closes TANF case; may be eligible for safety net services
Delawareb   36 10/1999 Closes TANF case
District of Columbia   60 3/2002 Removes non-compliant adult from assistance unit
Florida 24 in 60 or 36 in 72 48 10/1998 Closes TANF case
Georgia   48 1/2001 Closes TANF case
Hawaii   60 12/2001 Closes TANF case; subsidy provided for full-time employment
Idaho   24 7/1999 Closes TANF case
Illinois   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
Indiana   24 8/1997 Removes adult
Iowa   60 1/2002 Closes TANF case
Kansas   60 10/2001 Closes TANF case
Kentucky   60 11/2001 Closes TANF case
Louisiana 24 in 60 60 12/1998 Closes TANF case
Maine   60 11/2001 Closes TANF case
Maryland   60 1/2002 Continues family's benefits to compliant families
Massachusetts 24 in 60 None 12/1998 Closes TANF case
Michigan   None   States does not have time limit
Minnesota   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
Mississippi   60 10/2001 Closes TANF case
Missouri   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
Montana   60 2/2002 Closes TANF case
Nebraska 24 in 48 None 12/1998 Closes TANF case
Nevada 24 ineligible for 12 60 1/2000 Closes TANF case
New Hampshire   60 10/2001 Closes TANF case
New Jersey   60 4/2002 Closes TANF case
New Mexico   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
New York   60 12/2001 Closes TANF case; families eligible for safety net services
North Carolina 24 ineligible for 36 60 8/1998 Closes TANF case
North Dakota   60 7/2002 Closes TANF case
Ohio 36 ineligible for 24 60 10/2000 Closes TANF case
Oklahoma   60 10/2001 Closes TANF case
Oregon 24 in 84 None 7/1998 Time limit only applies to noncompliant cases
Pennsylvania   60 3/2002 Closes TANF case
Rhode Island   60 5/2002 Removes adult
South Carolina 24 in 120 60 10/1998 Closes TANF case
South Dakota   60 12/2001 Closes TANF case
Tennessee 18 ineligible for 3 60 4/1998 Terminates for 3 months
Texas 12, 24, or 36 c 60 1/1998 Removes adult after shorter limit; closes TANF case after 60 monthse
Utah   36 1/2000 Closes TANF case
Vermont   None   States does not have time limit
Virginia 24 ineligible for 24 60 10/1999 Closes TANF case
Washington   60 8/2002 Removes adult if he/she refuses to participate in WorkFirst program
West Virginia   60 12/2001 Closes TANF case
Wisconsin 24 60 4/1999 Closes TANF case
Wyoming   60d 2/1999 Closes TANF case

NOTES: aDenotes the month following the date families could potentially accumulate the maximum number of months of TANF assistance.(back)

bPrior to January 2000, Delaware limited assistance to 48 months after which families were ineligible for 96 months.(back)

cDepends on educational background and work experience.(back)

dWyoming counted up to 36 months of retrospective benefits that occurred prior to 2/97.(back)

e Applies to families living in areas that operate a state education and training program. In areas where no such program exists, families face 60-month time limit only.(back)


Welfare Time Limits

Table A.3

Exemption Criteria
State Disabled or
Caring for
Disabled
Family
Member
Elderly Victim of
Domestic
Violence
Caring for
Young
Childa
Pregnantb Minor
Parentc
Adult
is
Employed
Child Care
Unavailable
Other
Alabama X X X   X       Alcohol or mental health counseling
Alaska                  
Arizona X X         X   In subsidized Job Start program.
Arkansas X X X X X     X Exempt from work requirements; child at risk for neglect Nonparent caretaker who is responsible for children who are
California X X X           wards of the court or at risk of placement in foster care
Colorado                  
Connecticut X X   X X X     Declared unemployable; postpartum and unable to work
Delaware X   X X X   X X High unemployment
District of Columbia X                
Florida X                
Georgia       X          
Hawaii X X X X         Americorps/Vista volunteer
Idaho                  
Illinois X         X X   In post-secondary education
Indiana X X X X X     X  
Iowa                  
Kansas                  
Kentucky     X            
Louisiana X       X   X    
Maine X               In post-secondary education; noncitizens
Maryland X   X       X    
Massachusetts X X X X X X      
Michigan                  
Minnesota   X X   X X      
Mississippi                  
Missouri X X             In subsidized employment program
Montana           X      
Nebraska X X X X   X      
Nevada                  
New Hampshire                  
New Jersey X X X           Unemployable
New Mexico                 High unemployment (greater than 50%)
New York                 Receiving subsidy paid to employer/3rd party
North Carolina X             X Lack of transportation; in post-secondary education
North Dakota                  
Ohio X X X X   X   X Relative caregiver; exempt from work requirement; in eduation or training; high unemployment; unable to find or retain employment; support service unavailable
Oklahoma                  
Oregon X     X X       Complying with work requirements.
Pennsylvania             X   Participating early in work; addressing barriers
Rhode Island X X X       X    
South Carolina X         X   X Transportation unavailable
South Dakota                  
Tennessee X X X X   X   X Low education level; in vocational rehab; in drug/alcohol rehab; exemption recommended by Family Services counselor
Texas                  
Utah                  
Vermont                  
Virginia X X     X X      
Washington                  
West Virginia                  
Wisconsin       X          
Wyoming X               In post-secondary education
Total 26 16 15 12 10 10 7 7  

NOTES:aAge of child varies from three months to two years.(back)

bIn some states, pregnancy exemptions are provided only in the event that the individual is unable to work.(back)

cIn some states, exemptions to minor parents require that the parent be employed, in school, compliant, or head of household.(back)


Welfare Time Limits

Table A.4

Extension Criteria
State Disabled or Caring for
Disabled
Family
Member
Victim of
Domestic
Violence
Good
Faith
Effort
Living in Area
with High
Unemployment
or Limited Job
Opportunities
Lacking
Child Care or
Other
Support
Service
Has Other
Significant
Barriers a
Completing
Education or
Training
Has Child at
Risk of
Foster Care,
Abuse, or
Neglect
Other
Alabama       X         Hardship for 12 of last 24 months
Alaska X X             Unable to achieve self-sufficiency
Arizona     X       X    
Arkansas X X X   X     X Elderly parent/caretaker; caring for young child; pregnant; caretaker exempt from work requirements; extends benefits number of months received benefits out-of-state.
California X X X           Elderly
Colorado X X           X  
Connecticut     X   X X     Circumstances beyond control prevent employment; working 35 hours per week
Delaware X   X X X        
District of Columbia   X X            
Florida X X X X       X  
Georgia X X   X         Active child protective service; in substance abuse program; has not completed work plan
Hawaii     X            
Idaho X                
Illinois                  
Indiana   X X   X       Circumstances beyond control result in inability to obtain or retain employment
Iowa X X     X X     Hardship; unable to achieve self-sufficiency
Kansas X X X         X Elderly; unable to achieve self-sufficiency
Kentucky X X X         X Job loss within month of 60-month limit
Louisiana X X   X X X X   Has earned income; pregnant; actively seeking employment/in work component; death of family member
Maine X X X            
Maryland     X            
Michigan                  
Minnesota X               Employed adult; upon request from the county
Mississippi X X X     X     Under 18; pregnant; has child under 18 months
Missouri X X       X   X Experiencing family crisis
Montana X X              
Nebraska     X   X       Unemployable; caseworker discretion
Nevada   X             Hardship
New Hampshire X X X X X X     In life-threatening situation; reapplying and working 30 hours per week; hardship
New Jersey     X   X       Hardship; recently sanctioned
New Mexico X X             Elderly caretaker; SSI application pending
New York X X             SSI application pending.
North Carolina     X           Compliant and through no fault of own, is unable to obtain or maintain employment
North Dakota X X   X       X Elderly caretaker
Ohio     X           Hardship
Oklahoma X         X X   Under-employed; SSI application pending; unable to achieve self-sufficiency, but working 30 hours
Oregon   X X           Primary wage earner in a two-parent family died
Pennsylvania                  
Rhode Island X X     X X X    
South Carolina     X       X    
South Dakota X X       X     Family safety issue
Tennessee     X X          
Texas X   X X          
Utah X X         X   Hardship; family working more than 80 hours; minor parent; delay of services; never received employment services in another state
Virginia       X     X   Unable to achieve self-sufficiency
Washington X X X           SSI application pending; elderly caretaker
West Virginia X X X X X   X   Pregnant; very young child; received inappropriate case management; unable to achieve self-sufficiency
Wisconsin     X X   X      
Wyoming X X       X X   Abandoned; SSI application pending; agency failed participant
NOTES: aIncludes substance abuse, low literacy, and homelessness.(back)


Welfare Time Limits

Table A.5

Structure for Funding TANF and Non-TANF Assistance, September to December 2001 Cases By Funding Source % Families Receiving Assistance from State
State Share of Cases By Funding Source % Families Receiving Assistance from State MOE Only
Federal Funds
(TANF)
Segregated Funds
(TANF)
Separate State Program
(Non-TANF)
Segregated Funds Separate State Program
Alabama 98.9 0.0 1.1 --- Two-parent families
Alaska 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Arizona 97.1 2.9 0.0 Families with monthly benefits less than $100 ---
Arkansas 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Californiaa 89.3 0.8 9.8 Legal noncitizens; families that include an adult who has reached the federal TANF time limit Two-parent families
Colorado 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Connecticut 93.2 0.8 6.0 Qualified aliens Two-parent families and safety net participants
Delaware n/a n/a n/a Families working 20 hours per week Two-parent families
District of Columbia 39.6 59.1 1.3 Child-only cases and those not eligible for a federal hardship exemption Clients eligible for the POWER program (i.e., have an incapacity)
Florida 96.1 0.0 3.9 --- Two-parent families
Georgia 99.3 0.0 0.7 --- Two-parent families and qualified aliens
Hawaii 69.7 0.0 30.3 --- Two-parent families and non-citizen families
Idaho 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Illinois 39.0 59.6 1.4 Exempted cases, including families with earned income (1) Certain refugees; (2) first time pregnant women; (3) two-parent families
Indiana 95.7 0.0 4.3 --- Two-parent families
Iowa 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Kansas 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Kentuckya 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Louisiana 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Maineb 85.5 0.0 14.5 --- (1) Parents as Scholar Program participants; (2) non-citizens; (3) households in which one member is receiving SSI
Maryland 91.4 3.0 5.7 Families with earned income (1) Legal immigrants; (2) 19-year old child who will graduate from high school in the year he/she turns 19; (3) two-parent families; (4) severely disabled individuals applying for SSI; (5) victims of domestic violence; (6) children residing with a related non-parent adult where both receive assistance
Massachusetts 62.9 37.1 0.0 Lawfully residing non-citizens and exempt individuals ---
Michigan 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Minnesota 84.6 6.6 8.8 (1) Families with individual 60 or over; (2) minor caregivers complying with educational plan; (3) participants with a family violence plan or alternative employment plan; and (4) TANF ineligible noncitizens Two-parent families
Mississippi 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Missouri 94.8 0.0 5.2 --- (1) Disabled parents/caretakers; (2) elderly parents/caretakers over 60; (3) legal aliens in the US less than 5 years; (4) children in home under age one when that exemption from work activities has been allowed more than 12 months
Montana 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- At-home Infant Care Pilot Program participants (few enrolled in fall 2001)
Nebraska 91.9 0.0 8.1 --- Two-parent families
Nevada 95.6 0.0 4.4 --- Two-parent families
New Hampshire 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
New Jersey 96.7 0.0 3.3 --- Two-parent families
New Mexico 97.6 0.0 2.4 --- (1) Legal aliens; (2) enrolled in 24-month post-secondary education program
New Yorka 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
North Carolina 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
North Dakota 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Ohio 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Oklahoma 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Oregon 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Pennsylvania 98.0 2.0 0.0 Exempt individuals, including families with earned income, and qualified aliens ---
Rhode Island 87.7 4.8 7.4 Single-parents working 30 hours weekly or two-parent families working 35 hours weekly (1) Some legal immigrants; (2) two-parent families working under 35 hours weekly; 3) minor teen heads of household; (4) in loco parentis cases; and (5) fugitive felons
South Carolina 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
South Dakota 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Tennessee 98.5 0.0 1.5 --- (1) Two-parent families; (2) married during receipt (spouse's income is not counted); (3) alien cases; (4) drug felons if excluded from TANF and children are eligible
Texas 96.3 0.0 3.7 --- Two-parent families
Utaha 99.1 0.0 0.9 --- Two Parent Families Working Toward Employment (FEP-TP) and required to participate in activities that lead to employment
Vermont 94.3 0.0 5.7 --- In the Postsecondary Education Program
Virginia 97.4 0.0 2.6 --- Two-parent families
Washingtona 98.9 1.1 0.0 Immigrant families ---
West Virginia 100.0 0.0 0.0 --- ---
Wisconsin 96.9 0.0 3.1 --- Qualified aliens and participants receiving W-2 Interim Assistance who are applying for SSI
Wyoming 98.7 0.0 1.3 --- In State Adult Student Financial Aid (SASFA) program, which provides benefits to postsecondary education students under certain criteria
Total 92.8 3.3 3.9    

NOTES: aBased on September to November 2001 data only(back)

bBased on November 2001 data only(back)


Welfare Time Limits

Table A.6

Policies and Practices Targeting Families Approaching Time Limit
State Meet With
Head of
Household
Conduct
Home Visits
Assess
Family
Needs
Assess
Employment
Barriers
Provide Job
Search
Assistance
Provide
Subsidized
Employment
Send Letter
to Family
Alabama X X X X X   X
Alaska X   X X     X
Arizona X   X X X   X
Arkansas X   X X X   X
California             X
Colorado             X
Connecticut X           X
Delaware     X X     X
District of Columbia X X X   X X  
Florida X   X X X   X
Georgia X X X X X X X
Hawaii X   X X X   X
Idaho X X X X X   X
Illinois X   X X X   X
Indiana             X
Iowa X     X      
Kansas X   X X X   X
Kentucky X X X       X
Louisiana X           X
Maine             X
Maryland X   X X X   X
Massachusetts X   X X X   X
Michigan              
Minnesota X X X X X X X
Mississippi X   X X     X
Missouri X   X X X X X
Montana X X X X X   X
Nebraska X   X X X