TFA provides cash assistance to families with children.
For families with an employable adult, there is a 36-month time limit to receive TFA. Families without an employable adult have no limit to the amount of time they can receive benefits. Families subject to the 36-month time limit may qualify for up to two six-month extensions as long as they continue to remain within the income and asset guidelines. Families may qualify for additional extensions in limited circumstances.
Eligibility is based on income being lower than a set standard and assets being below limits. Recipients of TFA are allowed to work and have their earnings excluded up to a set standard while keeping their cash assistance. Families are allowed to have up to $6,000 in total assets.
Minor parents can receive TFA, however are required to live with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian. If there is good reason why they do not, then the minor must reside with an adult relative or in an adult-supervised living arrangement.
Job training for TFA recipients
The Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) program provides employment services such as job search assistance and skills training and employment services to employable adult recipients of Temporary Family Assistance (TFA). Once DSS determines a family is eligible for TFA, participants will be referred to the JFES program unless there are medical or other program exemptions determined by DSS. All TFA participants who are determined to be work eligible are required to participate in employment services.
Some JFES participants may qualify for further education and training such as:
- On-the-job training
- Occupational skills training
- Adult basic education
- GED preparation
- English (for speakers of other languages)
Childcare and transportation assistance are available for families participating in activities and other supportive services. This is to help address barriers while they look for employment.
Families receiving TFA are generally eligible for other public assistance programs and benefits. These include medical assistance under Medicaid and food assistance under SNAP.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Families with dependent children up to age 18.
- Families with dependent children who are 18 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student in high school or vocational school.
- Pregnant women.
- Recipients must live in Connecticut and have income and assets under the program limits.
- The child or children in the household must live with a related adult or an adult who has filed for guardianship.
What are the requirements?
- Adult recipients who are able to work must participate in Jobs First Employment Services activities, coordinated by the Department of Labor.
- Custodial parents may be required to provide information to help in collecting child support from a parent who is not living in the home.
What are the income limits?
- New applicants must have earnings under 55% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Applicants for extensions must have earnings under 100% FPL.
- Unearned income such as unemployment or Social Security benefits are counted dollar for dollar against the TFA benefit amount. This does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- The income of a non-parent relative or guardian does not count when the relative or guardian does not receive TFA for themselves.
- Earned income of TFA recipients is entirely excluded up to 100% FPL.
- Active TFA-eligible households whose earnings exceed the Federal Poverty Level may be able to keep their benefits for up to an additional six months.
What is the asset limit?
- The household asset limit is $6,000.
- One vehicle is excluded if the total value, minus and amount owed, is under $9,500 or used to transport a household member with a disability.
- The value of all other vehicles counts toward the asset limit.
- Home property is not counted.
- Assets of a non-parent relative or guardian are not counted when the relative or guardian does not receive TFA for themselves.
What is the time limit for TFA?
- Connecticut has a 36-month time limit for benefits issued here, unless an exemption from the time limit is granted. See exemptions below.
- Under certain circumstances, benefits may continue beyond 36 months.
- Recipients cannot receive more than 60 months of TFA in a lifetime, counting benefits received in other states (federal rule).
Are there exemptions from time limits or work requirements?
Exemptions to the time limit or work requirements may be given under the following circumstances:- A disability, either physical or mental, that prevents a person from working.
- If a recipient is 60 years of age or older, while caring for a dependent child.
- If a recipient is caring for a child under the age of 1.
- If a recipient is caring for a household member with a disability.
- A non-parent relative or guardian, such as a grandparent, who only receives cash for children in their care.
- A pregnant or postpartum woman, if certified by a physician to be unable to work.
Safety Net Services
Families who have exceeded the time limit for TFA but are still within the income and asset guidelines of the program can receive additional services through the Safety Net program.
This program is designed to minimize the likelihood of harm occurring to children and families who have lost TFA cash benefits. Safety Net provides solution-focused case management and care coordination for up to 12 months. Safety Net aims to help former recipients of TFA become self-sufficient by identifying and reducing barriers to employment.