Maryland Human Services Agency
Maryland Department of Human Resources
    DHR > Family Investment Administration > Cash Assistance > TCA Manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Family Investment Program Components
  3. Other Programs and Services
  4. Application
  5. Technical Eligibility
  6. Work & Education
  7. Time Limits
  8. Assistance Unit
  9. Financial Eligibility
  10. Payees
  1. Payment Methods
  2. Reapplication
  3. Interim Changes
  4. Adverse Action
  5. Post Eligibility Benefits
  6. Intentional Program Violations
  7. Sanctions
  8. Payment Irregularities
  9. Appeals & Hearings
  10. Glossary


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1. Introduction
    Statement of Purpose (pdf)*
2. Family Investment Program Components
    Welfare Avoidance Grant (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    Temporary Cash Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    Emergency Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    Transitional Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
    State Funded Temporary Cash Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
3. Other Programs and Services
    Overview (pdf)*
    (Description)
    Burial Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Eligibility Determination)
    (Payment)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    Child Support Enforcement (pdf)*
    (Child Support Enforcement)
    (Agency Function)
    (Eligibility Requirements)
    (Service Fees)
    (Location Services)
    (Legal Action)
    (Paternity Testing Laboratories)
    (In-Hospital Paternity)
    (Acknowledgement Program)
    (Collection Service)
    (Lottery Intercept Program)
    (Tax Refund Intercept Program)
    (Federal Income Tax Refund Offset Program)
    Medical Assistance Programs (pdf)*
    (Purpose and Scope)
    (Requirements)
    (Categorical Eligibility)
    (Medically Needy Eligibility)
    (Extensions)
    (Termination)
    (Services Offered)
    (Additional Information)
    Purchase of Care (POC) (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Application)
    (Priorities for Service)
    (Delivery of Service)
    (Voucher System)
    (Co-Payment and Subsidies)
    (Redetermination and Termination)
    (Extensions)
    (Overpayments and Repayment)
    (Additional Information)
    Food Stamps (pdf)*
    (Purpose)
    (Requirements)
    (Household)
    (Additional Information)
    EPSDT (Medical Screening/Diagnostic/Treatment) (pdf)*
    (Overview)
    (Requirements)
    (Limitations and Pre-Authorizations)
    (Additional Information)
    Social Services (pdf)*
    (Requirements - General)
    (Requirements - Adult Services)
    (Scope of Adult Services)
    (Requirements - Child Protective Services)
    (Scope of Child Protective Services)
    (Requirements - Family Services)
    (Scope of Family Services)
    (Requirements - Housing Services)
    (Scope of Housing Services)
    (Additional Information)
    Displaced Homemaker (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Application)
    (Program Services)
    (Fees and Allowances)
    MEAP (Energy Assistance) (pdf)*
    (Overview)
    (Requirements)
    (Coordination with MEAP)
    (Emergency Assistance Grants for Energy)
    (Partners in Energy (PIE) Program)
    (Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) )
    Refugee Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Eligibility Determination)
    (Employment and Employability Services)
    (Medical Services)
    Voter Registration (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Voter Application Submittals)
    (Voter Registration Reports)
4. Application
    Confidentiality (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Information Release without Consent)
    (Information Release with Consent)
    (Appeals - Record Access)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    Non-Discrimination (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    Application Process (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Components of the Application)
    (Process)
    (Additional Information)
    Interview - Role of Case Manager (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Interview - Basic Areas)
    (Role of the Case Manager)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Assessment (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
    Family Violence Screening (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Definition of Family Violence)
    (Identifying Possible Family Violence)
    (Referral Process)
    (Waivers)
    (Verification)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Substance Abuse (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Penalties)
    (Substance Abuse Screening)
    (Local Department/MCO/Treat Provider Interaction)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Agreement (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Verification (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Fraud (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
    Quality Control (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Non-Cooperation)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Decisions (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Decision Timeliness)
    (Case Decisions)
    (Other Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Decision Notices (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Payment Date (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Pro-Ration Calculation)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Eligibility Periods (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Narrative (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Typing/Technical Requirements)
    (Tips for Narrative Writing)
    (Examples)
    Case Record (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Documents - Never Retired)
    (Documents - Retired at Redetermination or Annually)
    (Documents - Retained until No Longer Applicable)
    Referrals (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Referrals)
    (Verification)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Computer Matches (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Inquiry Matches)
    (CARES Automated Matches)
    (Matches Run by Office of the Inspector General)
    Correctional Facilities Agreement (DPSCS) (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Division of Correction Responsibilities )
    (Local Department Responsibilities)
5. Technical Eligibility
    Overview (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Other Technical Factors of Eligibility)
    Age (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Fulltime Student and School Definition)
    (Customer Options)
    (Eligibility End Date)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Residence (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Temporary Absence)
    (New Residents)
    (Moving within the State)
    (Institutional Status)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Citizenship/Immigrants (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Qualified Immigrant Eligibility Conds - Fed TCA)
    (Forty Qualifying Quarters of Work)
    (Verification)
    (Sponsored Immigrants)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Living with a Relative (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Limited Absences)
    (Institutional Status)
    (Joint Custody)
    (Adopted Child)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Social Security Number (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Application for a Social Security Number)
    (Newborns)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    Child Support Requirements (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Requirements - Cooperation)
    (Good Cause)
    (Good Cause Evidence)
    (Good Cause Determination)
    (Good Cause Claim Decisions)
    (Adequate Reasons)
    (Non-Cooperation - Case Action)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Primary Prevention Initiative (PPI) (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Good Cause)
    (Additional Benefits)
    (Verification - Health Care)
    (Verification - School Attendance)
    (Verification - Good Cause)
    (Good Cause Calculation)
    (Curing a Disallowance)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    Strike (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Definition of Strike)
    (Definition of Striker)
    (Work Program Related Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Verification - Good Cause)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples - Recipients)
    (Examples - Applicants)
    (Examples - General)
    (Additional Information)
    Suitability of Home (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Defining Suitable)
    (Verification)
    (Examples)
    DEAP/TCA Program (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Other Eligibility Criteria)
    (Referral Process)
    (Monitoring DEAP/TCA Status)
    (DEAP Closings)
    (Voluntary DEAP Participants)
    (Interim Assistance Lump Sums)
    (SSDI Lump Sum)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
6. Work & Education
    Basic Requirements (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Exemptions from Work Requirements)
    (Twenty-Four-Month Work Requirement)
    (Conciliation)
    (Good Cause)
    (Sanctions)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Work Programs (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Core Work Activities - Fed Authorized)
    (Other Work Activities - Fed Authorized)
    (Participation Requirements)
    (Trainees Vs Employees)
    (Work Activity Liability)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Displacement and Grievance Procedures (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Grievance Procedures for Displacement)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
7. Time Limits
    Lifetime Limits (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
8. Assistance Unit
    Basic Unit Requirements (pdf)*
    (Requirements - Mandatory Members)
    (Requirements - Optional Members)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Requirements - Excluded Individuals)
    (Assistance Unit Composition)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Stepparent (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Live-In Families (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Minor Parent (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Failure to Meet the Requirements)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Child Specific Benefit (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Third Party Payees)
    (Calculating the Child Specific Benefit)
    (Verification)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
9. Financial Eligibility
    Overview (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    Deficit Budgetary Situations (pdf)*
    (Deficit Budget - Excessive Expenditures)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Assets (pdf)*
    (Asset Limit)
    (Countable Assets)
    (Excluded Assets)
    (Assets of Sponsors (New Policy))
    (Assets of Sponsors (Old Policy))
    (Jointly Owned Assets)
    (Equity Value of Vehicles)
    (Assets of Excluded Individuals)
    (Transfer of Assets)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Potential (pdf)*
    (Potential Income)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Unearned (pdf)*
    (Countable Unearned Income)
    (Excluded Unearned Income)
    (Unearned Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    Income - Stepparent Calculations (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Sponsor Calculations (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Self Employment (pdf)*
    (Earned Income Calculation)
    (Examples)
    Income - Sanctioned Individuals Calculations (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Lump Sum (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    Income - Ineligible Household Members Calculations (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Illegal or Undocumented Immigrants Calculations (pdf)*
    (Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Income - Earned (pdf)*
    (Countable Earned Income)
    (Excluded Earned Income)
    (Earned Income Calculation - Gross Income)
    (Earned Income Calc - Gross Income (Exceptions))
    (Earned Income Calculation - Initial Elig Test)
    (Income Calculation - Disregards - Net Income)
    (Examples)
    Income - Deductions (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Basic Income Calculations)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Garnishments (pdf)*
    (Garnishments)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Child Care Expenses (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
10. Payees
    Payees (pdf)*
    (Payees)
    (Protective Payees)
    (Third Party Payees)
    (Mandatory Vendor Payments)
    (Voluntary Vendor Payments)
11. Payment Methods
    Electronic Benefit Transfer System (EBTS) (pdf)*
    (Electronic Benefit Transfer System (EBTS))
    Checks (pdf)*
    (Check Issuance)
    (Procedures)
    (Additional Information)
    Payment Period (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
    Aged Benefits (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Procedures)
    (Additional Information)
12. Reapplication
    Reapplication (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Eligibility Determination)
    (Case Management Tips)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
13. Interim Changes
    Interim Changes (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Anticipated Changes)
    (Adding a Person to the Assistance Unit)
    (Newborns)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
14. Adverse Action
    Adverse/Timely Notice (pdf)*
    (Adverse Actions)
    (Adequate and Timely Notice)
    (Exceptions)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
15. Post Eligibility Benefits
    Medical Assistance (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (MA Categories)
    (Termination)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Purchase of Child Care (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
    Food Stamps (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
16. Intentional Program Violations
    Intentional Program Violations (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Investigation Process)
    (Disqualification Process)
    (ADH Referrals)
    (Disqualification Hearings)
    (Sanctions)
17. Sanctions
    Conciliation Process (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Good Cause or Exemption)
    (Notice of Adverse Action)
    (Sanctions)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Work Requirements (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Full-Family Sanctions)
    (Individual Sanctions)
    (Good Cause and Exemptions)
    (Transitional Assistance)
    (Food Stamps)
    (Medical Assistance)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Child Support (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Good Cause)
    (Food Stamps)
    (Medical Assistance)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Fraud & Fraudulent Misrepresentation (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Sanctions)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    PPI (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Disallowance)
    (Good Cause)
    (Additional Information)
    Substance Abuse (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Full-Family Sanctions)
    (Individual Sanctions)
    (Food Stamps)
    (Medical Assistance)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Non-Report Absent Child (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Sanctions)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
    Conviction - Illegal Substances & Fleeing Felons (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Additional Information)
18. Payment Irregularities
    Payment Irregularities (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Underpayments)
    (Overpayments)
    (POC Irregularities)
    (Examples)
    (Additional Information)
19. Appeals & Hearings
    Office of Administrative Hearings (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    Appeal Requests (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Procedures)
    (Additional Information)
    Discrimination Complaints (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Complaints)
    Displaced Workers (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Procedures)
    (Additional Information)
    Intentional Program Violations (pdf)*
    (Requirements)
    (Customer Procedures)
    (Penalties)
    (Additional Information)
20. Glossary
    Definitions (pdf)*



This Page Last Revised on January 3, 2007