How many states have a General Assistance Program or a State Disability Program?

New Jersey is establishing a food bank benefit consisting of a three day supply of groceries with TANF funds for families whose income is below 250% of the State's poverty level. Their concerns are that the benefit not be considered assistance, and that monitoring of usage to preclude recurrent use will present an administrative burden that will discourage contractors from joining the program. The non-recurrent, short-term benefit exclusion to the definition of assistance requires that the benefit is not intended to meet recurrent needs. This implies that a State should monitor usage. We are advising the State that they could develop guidelines recommending notification to the appropriate State agency if the contractor notices that the family is using the food bank on an on-going basis. The State has requested to know what practices other states have developed to define, monitor and resolve recurrent usage of food bank benefits that are classified as non-assistance. Please provide the names of states with such food bank programs, a State contact person, and a brief description of how recurrent usage is defined, monitored and resolved. Results of survey will be provided.

A representative from the Nevada Office of Community Services would like to know how other State TANF Agencies are serving individuals with disabilities.

• What criteria are the states using to define -disability- or incapacity?
• What are the implications for such a determination?
• How do they screen for disabled individuals?
• What assessments are the States doing?
• Who is doing the assessments?
• A name of a Contact person and phone number would be helpful.

What types of programs/services are States providing to people with incomes up to 200% of the poverty level? Please provide the eligibility and income standards, outreach strategies, and necessary contact information.

What is the status of aliens in the TANF program? Are there any provisions to serve illegal aliens?

The Peer TA Network would like to hear innovative approaches States are using to work with non-custodial parents?

The Peer TA Network would like to know which States have the optional grandparent liability provision as a State law? Which are considering it? Which States are enforcing the provision?

The Peer TA Network would like to know if there any States that provide TANF assistance to parents in a single child "needy" family where the child is in a short term foster care placement situation, and there is a remote possibility that the child will be reunified with the family?

The Peer TA Network would like to know how TANF funds may be used to provide services for non-custodial parents?

The Peer TA Network would like to know which States charge application and other fees for IV-D services? How much is the fee? Are the fees charged to the custodial or noncustodial parent? Does the State absorb the fee?