Temporary Assistance Basic Eligibility Requirements

NOTE: All applicants must receive Orientation prior to making application for Temporary Assistance.

ELIGIBILITY FACTOR	REQUIREMENT
AGE	Child must be under age 18 or 18 and in school and expected to graduate or complete training.
RELATIONSHIP OF PAYEE TO CHILD	Parent(s), certain specified relatives, spouses of parents and specific relatives or legal guardian.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER	All members of assistance group must furnish or apply for one.
RESOURCES	$1,000 maximum for applicants, $5,000 maximum for active recipients who have signed an Individual Employment Plan.
CITIZENSHIP	Must be U.S. citizen or an eligible qualified alien.
RESIDENCE	Must live in and intend to remain in Missouri.
MINOR PARENT LIVING ARRANGEMENT	If never married, must live with his/her own parent’s or in another adult supportive living arrangement.
CHILD IN HOME OF PAYEE	Must reside in home of payee.
WORK ACTIVITY	Applicants/participants age 18 or older must participate in a work activity, unless exempt or excluded. Each Temporary Assistance applicant and recipient will be assessed to determine readiness for employment and/or training. Each individual assessed to be a mandatory work participant, and job or training ready, is referred to the Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program for services and must enter a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) and register with www.jobs.mo.gov before their application may be processed.
DRUG SCREENING	Applicant heads of household over age 18 must complete a screening for illegal use of controlled substances. Active participants are screened through a quarterly match with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for drug offenses.
ASSIGNMENT OF SUPPORT RIGHTS	The payee assigns the rights for child support from one or both parents to FSD Child Support.
COOPERATION IN OBTAINING SUPPORT	The payee must cooperate with FSD Child Support in obtaining child support from the non-custodial parent.
FELONY DRUG CONVICTIONS	Anyone convicted of a felony committed after August 22, 1996, related to illegal possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance is ineligible.
FLEEING FELONS	An individual is ineligible when fleeing or acting with intent to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement after conviction of a felony or while violating a condition of probation or parole.
MISREPRESENTED IDENTITY OR RESIDENCE	An individual convicted by a court of making a fraudulent statement about identity or residence in order to receive multiple benefits is ineligible for ten years.
NEED	GROSS INCOME TEST: A comparison of gross income to 185% of the Temporary Assistance Consolidated Standard. If the gross income of the assistance group exceeds this figure, the case is ineligible for Temporary Assistance. ELIGIBILITY TEST: The adjusted income (gross income minus overhead, standard work expense, and child care) is compared to 100% of the Consolidated Standard to determine eligibility. Used in applications, or when adding a person with earned income. If not passed, the case is ineligible for Temporary Assistance. GRANT AMOUNT TEST: The net income (gross income minus overhead and allowable disregards and deductions) is compared to the percentage of need (34.526%) to determine the grant. Note: loss of TA eligibility due to no longer meeting the financial need factor may result in eligibility for Transitional Employment Benefit.