ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: HHS DP 7-0-1-0 | 3^rd Read 30-0-0-0

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SB 1144: child only case; definition

Sponsor:  Senator Pace, LD  25

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Modifies the definition of child only case to include a dependent child placed with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative who is not receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance (TANF CA).

History

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) administers TANF CA to provide temporary cash benefits and services to children and families in Arizona. In order to determine eligibility, DES must include the income from every source available to a needy family. The total gross income of a needy family cannot exceed 130% of the Federal Poverty Line for families with a nonparent relative head of household who is requesting assistance only for a dependent child. However, in a child only case, only the income of the dependent child is considered (A.R.S. § 46-292). Upon receiving benefits, a family is limited to 12 months before they will be considered ineligible for further assistance. This 12-month limit of TANF CA does not apply to a child only case (A.R.S. § 46-294).

Under current law, a child only case is defined as a case in which the eligible dependent child is in the legal custody of the Department of Child Safety (DCS), a tribal court or a tribal welfare agency located in this state and placed in foster care with an unrelated adult of nonparent relative who is not receiving TANF CA (A.R.S. § 46-101).

Provisions

1. Expands the definition of child only case to include a case in which the eligible dependent child is either:

a) In the legal custody of DCS, a tribal court or tribal welfare agency located in Arizona and placed in foster care with an unrelated adult or with a nonparent relative who is not receiving a licensed foster home care payment; and

b) Placed pursuant to the order of a court or tribal court with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative who is not receiving TANF CA. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes a technical change. (Sec. 1)

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6.                   SB 1144

7. Initials EB/SF        Page 0 Health & Human Services

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