What Benefits Will I Get?

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How does DTA calculate my cash payment?

What is the minimum amount I can get?

What other benefits will I get?

What job training and education benefits can I get?

For how long can I get TAFDC?

Are there emergency TAFDC benefits that I can get the same day?

How does DTA calculate my cash payment?

The cash benefit you will get each month depends on:

• your net countable income,
• the number of people in your household,
• whether you live in subsidized or unsubsidized housing,
• and whether you are exempt or non-exempt from the work requirements.

For each category, there is a Payment Standard, which is the maximum cash payment a household in that category can get. The amount your household will actually get each month is the Payment Standard minus your net countable income.

The table below shows the maximum monthly benefit for households that are exempt from the TAFDC work program requirement:

• The standards for non-exempt households are slightly lower.
• From September 1 to September 30, these standards are increased by $150 for each eligible child under age 19. This $150 is an annual clothing allowance.
• These standards equal the standards in effect in 2001.

Here is a summary of how DTA determines your cash payment:

• DTA starts by calculating your gross countable income (total countable income before any deductions). See What are the income limits?

• DTA subtracts allowable expenses, including certain work and child-care expenses, to find your net countable income.

• DTA then subtracts your net countable income from the Payment Standard for your household category to find the TAFDC cash payment you are eligible to receive.

EXAMPLE:

1. Consider a family of four, exempt from the TAFDC work program requirement, living in public subsidized housing.

2. Let's say their net countable income is $200 per month.

3. The amount they will get is the Payment Standard for their family size ($691 for a family of four living in public subsidized housing) minus their $200 net countable income ($691 - $200 = $491).

4. They will receive a TAFDC cash payment of $491 a month.

What is the minimum amount I can get?

The minimum cash payment you can get is $10 per month. If you are eligible for less than $10, you will get all the other TAFDC benefits but no cash payment. The 24-month time limit clock runs even if you receive a very small cash payment or no cash payment at all because of the $10 minimum rule. You should talk to your DTA worker if you are in this situation.

What other benefits will I get?

TAFDC recipients also get:

• Health insurance: You will automatically be eligible for health insurance through MassHealth.

• Infant expenses: If you have a newborn baby, you will be eligible for crib and baby supplies up to $300. (You must ask for this benefit before your baby is six months old.)

• Relocation benefits: You will be eligible for up to $1000 for moving expenses if you are moving to permanent housing after living in an emergency shelter, domestic violence shelter, or teen living program for at least 60 days.

• Funeral and burial expenses: You will be eligible for funeral and burial expenses up to $1,100 as long as the total cost does not exceed $1,500 and there are no relatives or friends to pay these expenses.

• Transportation assistance for out-of-state move: You will be eligible for transportation costs if you need to move out of state. However, you will lose your benefits in Massachusetts if you move to another state.
  
  Note: The transportation assistance benefit may be suspended if funds are not available.

• Education, job search, and job training assistance: The Employment Services Program includes basic education such as ESL and GED, short-term skills training, job search, supported work, full employment, community service, and post-employment support services. See below.

• Transportation for ESP participants: You are eligible for transportation payments if you are taking part in an Employment Services Program activity.

• DTA child care: You are eligible for child care if you are taking part in an ESP activity or if you are working. See DTA Child Care Services for more information.

• Supplemental payments: If you are required to turn in monthly income reports and your income drops, you can get a supplemental payment that takes this change into account.

• Clothing allowance: In the month of September you will receive $150 for clothing for each member of your household under 19 years of age.

• Emergency shelter: Some TAFDC recipients will be eligible for emergency shelter through the Emergency Assistance (EA) program. Check with your DTA worker.

You may also be eligible for food stamps, WIC, free school meals, fuel assistance, and other programs available to low-income families.

What job training and education benefits can I get?

TAFDC recipients who do not have a job can get job training, education, job search assistance, and subsidized employment through the Employment Services Program (ESP). The goal of the ESP is to help you find a good job and become self-sufficient.

There is limited funding for ESP programs. Your caseworker will let you know which activities are available to you and recommend activities that best meet your needs. However, you are allowed to choose the program that you want, as long as funding is available. The DTA will pay for child care and transportation while you take part in ESP programs.

The Employment Services Program offers:

• Basic and Structured Job Search: Staff members will assess your skills, and help you in your job search as needed. This activity is for TAFDC applicants, recipients, and former recipients (within 12 months) who have some previous work experience and training.

• Education: Programs include high school curriculum, GED certificate, English as a Second Language, basic literacy, and adult basic education.

  You can also meet the TAFDC work requirement by taking part in an approved associate's degree or post-secondary certificate program. DTA will not pay tuition or other school-related expenses, but will provide child care and transportation. For more information about associate's degree or certificate programs, contact your local One-Stop Career Center. For locations, see One-Stop Career Centers on the Department of Workforce Development web site.

• Skills Training: This may include classroom instruction, internships, or workshops, usually lasting no more than 12 weeks. This training is designed to prepare people for jobs in specialized fields such as nurse's aide, data entry clerk, home health aide, child care worker, electronics assembler, food services worker, or clerical worker.

  You can also meet the TAFDC work requirement by taking part in approved non-ESP job training programs. You can get information about other training programs from your local Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center. For locations, see One-Stop Career Centers on the Department of Workforce Development web site.

• Supported Work: This is a complete job program that includes pre-work activities (education, training, job search, resume preparation), job placement, supervised employment, and support services.

• Community Service Program: In this program, you work without pay at a public or nonprofit organization such as a child care center or food pantry. By volunteering, you develop job skills and get work experience that will help you get a paid job later.

• Full Employment Program: Under this program, you work full time and get a subsidized wage in place of TAFDC cash benefits and food stamps. An Individual Asset Account is set up for you, and $1 is put into your account for every hour you work. You also get all standard employee benefits such as sick leave and vacation time.

• Post-Employment Services: These services are for TAFDC recipients and former recipients who are working. Services include support services to help workers keep their jobs, and education and training to help workers who want to advance in their jobs.

For how long can I get TAFDC?

Families can get TAFDC for a maximum of 24 months within a 5-year period, unless they are exempt, have a domestic violence or family cap waiver, or get an extension.

Households that are exempt from the time limit include:

• families with disabled parents
• parents caring for a disabled child
• teen parents who are in school
• seniors age 60 or over
• pregnant women in their last 120 days of pregnancy
• certain others

The 24 months do not have to be consecutive: any 24 months when you are getting benefits count against the time limit. DTA will send you a notice when you are close to your limit, or if they plan to terminate, reduce, or suspend your benefits for any other reason.

The DTA will grant an extension of benefits in certain circumstances. Extensions last up to six months at a time, with no limit on the number of extensions you can get. You must request an extension in writing. The DTA looks at each request on a case-by-case basis to decide if there is a good reason to extend your benefits.

Are there emergency TAFDC benefits that I can get the same day?

If you appear to be eligible and you need help right away, you can get an advance on your TAFDC benefits within 24 hours. You can get rent and utility vouchers to pay your landlord and the utility companies, a temporary MassHealth card, and a cash advance or emergency food vouchers.