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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
temporary assistance; child only case
Purpose
Expands the definition of a child only case, for purposes of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance eligibility, to include certain cases in which an eligible dependent child is placed, through foster care or court order, with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative who is not receiving Cash Assistance or a licensed foster care payment. Modifies treatment of income in determining eligibility for households with a nonparent relative head of household who is requesting Cash Assistance only for a dependent child.
Background
The Department of Economic Security (DES) administers the TANF Cash Assistance Program to provide temporary cash benefits and supportive services to Arizona children and families. To be eligible for Cash Assistance, a family's net monthly income cannot exceed: 1) 130 percent of the current federal poverty level (FPL) for families in which the head-of-household is a nonparent relative requesting Cash Assistance only for the dependent children; or 2) 100 percent of the current FPL for all other families. However, these income limitations do not apply to child only cases, and instead only the income of the dependent child is considered (A.R.S. § 46-292; A.A.C. R6-12-701). A family receiving Cash Assistance for themselves or on behalf of a dependent child is limited to 12 months of benefits, with certain exceptions, though this time limit does not apply to child only cases (A.R.S. § 46-294).
A child only case is a case in which an eligible dependent child is in the legal custody of the Department of Child Safety, a tribal court or a tribal child welfare agency in Arizona and placed in foster care with an unrelated adult or a nonparent relative who is not receiving Cash Assistance (A.R.S. § 46-101).
If there is a cost associated with expanding the number of child only cases that qualify for Cash Assistance, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Expands the definition of child only case, for purposes of Cash Assistance eligibility, to include cases in which an eligible dependent child is:
a) in the legal custody of DCS, a tribal court or a tribal child welfare agency and placed in foster care with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative who is not receiving a licensed foster care payment; or
b) placed under court or tribal court order with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative who is not receiving Cash Assistance.
2. Removes the specification that the total gross countable income of a needy family includes a nonparent relative head of household who is not applying for or receiving Cash Assistance and is requesting Cash Assistance only for a dependent child.
3. Specifies that a child only case benefit amount is based on available monies as determined by DES.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2026
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