SECTION 372.802. One-Time TANF Eligibility Requirements

(a) A One-Time TANF (OTTANF) applicant must:

(1) meet all TANF eligibility and participation requirements in this chapter, except the requirement at §372.1154(g) of this chapter (relating to Cooperating with Personal Responsibility Agreement Requirements) to participate in the Choices work program;

(2) not have received an OTTANF benefit during the 12 months before the application month;

(3) be experiencing a short-term crisis; and

(4) not be a member of a household that is currently receiving TANF benefits.

(b) The household meets the criteria in subsection (a)(3) of this section if a caretaker adult:

(1) lost employment during the period beginning two months before the application month through the month HHSC determines the household's eligibility (loss of employment does not include voluntary quit without good cause);

(2) is the only adult in the certified group and:

(A) within the last 12 months before the application month through the month HHSC determines household eligibility, a child in the household lost the financial support of a parent or stepparent through death, divorce, separation, abandonment, or termination, or the child's financial support was reduced; and

(B) the adult has a history of employment within the 12 months before the application month or the month HHSC determines household eligibility;

(3) graduated from a university, college, junior college, or technical training school within the 12 months before the application month through the month HHSC determines household eligibility and:

(A) is unemployed or underemployed;

(B) is not currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning;

(C) provides proof of his or her degree or certificate of completion from a university, college, junior college, or technical training school; and

(D) received TANF benefits or a OTTANF benefit anytime in the 12 months before enrolling or while attending a university, college, junior college, or technical training school; or

(4) is currently employed and facing a crisis due to the loss or potential loss of transportation or shelter, or due to a medical emergency that temporarily prevents the person from working during the period beginning two months before the application month through the month HHSC determines the household's eligibility.

Source Note: The provisions of this §372.802 adopted to be effective September 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 5361; amended to be effective November 20, 2016, 41 TexReg 9009