Issue Summary:

1.      TANF STATE PLAN:  The Committee is making no specific recommendations for changes to the TANF STATE PLAN for North Carolina at the present time.  The public comment period ends March 27, 2003.  The Committee will review the comments and any possible changes to the TANF STATE PLAN at the April meeting.

2.      Hardship Exemptions:  The Committee discussed the issue of how to handle hardship exemption requests from Work First applicants/recipients who received 60 months of TANF benefits in other states.  State staff advised counties to get the information from other states to the greatest extent possible in order to make a decision.  This includes efforts made by the agency and by the recipient over those 60 months in order to prepare for, seek and obtain employment and move off of assistance.  There was feedback on three (3) cases.  In two (2) of them, the other state had done nothing to assist the recipient in becoming self-sufficient.  One N.C. county had responded to a case by giving the recipient an additional three (3) months of assistance in order to assess their circumstances and needs.  There is no database nor other mechanism to track the receipt of TANF assistance across state lines.  At present our staff are depending upon disclosure by applicants of benefits from other states, and based upon this information, of initiating contacts with the local agency staff administering TANF in that state.  It is important to ascertain if Federal TANF funds were included in cash assistance paid to recipients in other states.  Counties can contact staff at the Economic Independence Section for more information.

3.      State Appeals Decisions in Hardship Cases:  There is some concern based upon the overturn of  decisions by the Appeals Officer.  The Committee will review statistics of appeals decisions by the State DSS Hearings & Appeals Section next month.

Position or Policy Recommendation for Board Action:

General Information for Dissemination:

1. Potential ABAWD Funding:  A letter is forthcoming to DSS Directors from the Economic Independence Section.  Non-waiver Food Stamp E&T counties are being asked about their interest in participating in an initiative to provide education, training and workforce opportunities for “at-risk” ABAWD recipients.  The letter includes a request for county interest, project ideas and estimated funding needs.  While only non-waiver counties may participate, the Committee recommended that the letter be sent to all 100 DSS Directors.  A decision will be made to apply for a share of these 100% Federal funds for North Carolina for FFY 2003-2004 based upon the responses to surveys and interest of the counties.  The interest form/proposed suggestions must be received by David Prince, E&T Coordinator, by April 15, 2003.
2. Work First Caseload:  The March statewide caseload is 41,294.  This is the lowest caseload since Work First began (a reduction of 63.61%).  Of this total, the adult caseload is 19,327 and the Child Only caseload is 21,967.
3. TANF REAUTHORIZATION:  The U.S. House has passed a bill similar to the original Bush proposal, including the 40 hour rule.  The Senate had scheduled a hearing for March 12, 2003. 
4. The Committee discussed “Talking Points” to support allocation of TANF funds in the State Budget.

To provide input or seek additional information, you may contact:

            Wayne E. Black; Co-Chair

            (336) 679-4210; wblack@yadkincountydss.org

            Bobby Boyd; Co-Chair

            (828) 695-5603; bobby@mail.co.catawba.nc.us

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