Tribal TANF Eligibility Determination
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This section identifies the CA income maximum tests applied to the specific Tribal TANF program determinations.
Policy
See all of the following CA income maximum tests that are applied to the specific Tribal TANF program determinations completed in AZTECS:
A Hopi Tribal TANF budgetary unit is prospectively eligible for CA based on the CA income maximum limit when the total countable income is equal to or less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
A Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) Life Enhancement and Resource Network (LEARN) budgetary unit is prospectively eligible for CA based on the CA income maximum limit when the total countable income is equal to or less than 250% of the FPL.
NOTE SRPMIC LEARN staff determine eligibility in AZTECS for the SRPMIC Tribal TANF program.
AZTECS compares the CA budgetary unit size and income to the CA income maximum limit for purposes of determining prospective eligibility. Participants must meet prospective eligibility requirements before a budgetary unit can receive benefits.
For Tribal TANF budgetary units to meet prospective eligibility, the countable income minus any CA Earned Income Deductions cannot exceed the amount of payment an eligible budgetary unit with no income would receive. This amount is 36% of the 1992 FPL. For more information, see CA Needy Family Test and the CA Benefit Determination.
The income test for the need standard is used in the prospective eligibility determination process of Tribal TANF. The following information is used when determining prospective eligibility based on need:
●The number of participants in the Tribal TANF budgetary unit.
●A budgetary unit’s obligation to pay shelter costs. (See CA Payment Standard (A1/A2))
Procedures
AFIM summarizes and displays income eligibility information for Tribal TANF cases.
AFIM calculates and displays the results of the CA income maximum test based on information keyed on income screens, expense screens, and SEPA. This is the first of three income tests required in the eligibility determination for Tribal TANF.
AFIM compares the CA budgetary unit size and income to the CA income maximum limit for purposes of determining prospective eligibility.
Policy and procedures outlined in the specific Tribal TANF Programs should be used to determine what actions must be taken for participants living in a Tribal Service Delivery Area (SDA).
The income test for the need standard is used in the prospective eligibility determination process of Tribal TANF. Project all of the following information when determining prospective eligibility for Tribal TANF based on need:
●The number of participants in the Tribal TANF budgetary unit.
●A budgetary unit obligation to pay shelter costs. (See CA Payment Standard (A1/A2))
Process the eligibility determination through AFIM and AFNN to calculate the Tribal TANF payment standard on AFPD.
For additional information regarding Tribal TANF, see the Benefit Determinations section under the specific tribe in Tribal TANF Assistance.
AZTECS displays the results of the need standard income test on AFNN based on information keyed in prior eligibility information screens.
When the Tribal TANF budgetary unit is determined to be prospectively eligible, AZTECS determines a payment amount based on the CA payment standard income test on AFPD.
Verification
System interface and the case file(g) must be reviewed before verification is requested. No additional verification is needed when AZTECS interface or HEAplus hubs have verified the information.
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy.)
AZTECS Keying Procedures
The Tribal TANF budgetary unit is not eligible when the total countable income is more than the CA income maximum.
Complete all of the following when AFIM displays the edit message, FAILED - INELIGIBLE:
●Key the Denial or Closure Reason Code in the DENIAL/CLOSURE REASON field on AFPD. (See Denial Closure Reason Reference Links for Denial Closure Reason Codes and links to the policy.)
●Key the CA ineligible date in the INELIG DATE field on AFPD.
NOTE The ineligible date is used to determine the eligibility begin date for Transitional Child Care (TCC). The date is also used to establish a CA overpayment.
Legal Authorities
7 CFR 273.10(f)(2)
45 CFR 286.10(a)
45 CFR 286.10(a)(2)
45 CFR 286.15(a)
AAC R6-12-508
ARS 46-292
TANF State Plan
Hopi Tribal TANF Plan
SRPMIC Tribal TANF Plan
PY Tribal TANF Plan
last revised 10/30/2023