Lifetime Benefit Limit (LIBL) and State Benefit Limit (STBL) - Overview
Effective July 01, 2010, budget reconciliation legislation was implemented which limits the length of time that an eligible CA budgetary unit may receive CA benefits.
The 60-month Federal limit on receiving CA benefits is known as the CA Lifetime Benefit Limit (LIBL). For LIBL, receipt of CA benefits is limited to budgetary units in which the following have not received 60 countable months of CA in any state:
●PI
●Another adult
The 12-month State limit for receiving CA benefits is known as the CA State Benefit Limit (STBL). For STBL, effective June 30, 2016, receipt of CA benefits is limited to budgetary units in which the following have not received 12 countable months in Arizona since October 01, 2002:
●PI
●Spouse of the PI
●Any adult in the CA budgetary unit who has received benefits for himself, or herself, or for a dependent child
NOTE The countable months are not required to be consecutive.
For LIBL, the budgetary unit is not eligible to receive more than 60 months of CA when all of the following conditions occur:
●The PI, their spouse, or another adult in the budgetary unit has received 60 countable months of CA for a budgetary unit
●The PI, their spouse, or another adult in the budgetary unit are keyed IN in the CA PT field on SEPA
For STBL the budgetary unit is not eligible to receive more than 12 months of CA when all of the following conditions occur:
●The PI, their spouse, or another adult in the budgetary unit has received 12 or more countable months of CA for a budgetary unit
●The PI, their spouse, the dependent child or another adult in the budgetary unit are keyed IN, DI, DF, DP, OU or ST in the CA PT field on SEPA
NOTE The budgetary unit may receive additional months of CA when it is eligible for a
Time Limit Extension or a
Hardship Extension.
AZTECS calculates the countable months, beginning with the first countable benefit month on or after October 01, 2002.
NOTE See the individual
Tribal TANF programs for LIBL information.
Inform the PI during each new and renewal interview of the LIBL/STBL requirements and the availability of the time limit and hardship extensions.
NOTE There is no limit to the number of times a participant can apply for and be approved for a hardship extension.
STBL, STBL extensions, and LIBL extensions do not apply to
Tribal TANF Programs or to Kinship Foster Care when the child is in the legal custody of the
Department of Child Safety (DCS), a Tribal Court or a Tribal Child Welfare Agency located in Arizona and placed in unlicensed foster care.
Policy and procedures regarding LIBL/STBL are outlined as follows: