FIRST REGULAR SESSION
95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SATER.
0126L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACTTo amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families benefits.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.038, to read as follows:
208.038. Within sixty days of the effective date of this section, the department of social services shall apply to the Secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services for receipt of any necessary waivers to implement the following changes to the Missouri temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program:
(1) A reduction in the lifetime eligibility limits for TANF recipients from five years to two years;
(2) A modification of the work requirements for TANF recipients and applicants as follows:
(a) A requirement that all TANF recipients subject to the work requirements under the TANF program be employed at the time of receipt of any TANF benefits;
(b) Creation of a cash diversion program for any applicant for TANF benefits who is subject to the work requirements under the TANF program and who is currently unemployed but otherwise eligible for TANF benefits. For such applicants, the department shall:
a. Offer referrals for up to three months of job assistance services, such as job search, job placement, and job organization and resources; and
b. While an applicant is utilizing the job assistance services listed in paragraph (a) of this subdivision, provide such applicants with up to three monthly payments equal to the monthly amount of TANF benefits the applicant would be eligible to receive if the applicant was a TANF recipient. All such applicants shall be ineligible to receive any TANF benefits while receiving such job assistance services payments; and
(3) Establishment of a cap on TANF cash benefits awarded to a recipient based on the number of children in the recipient's family. No additional cash benefits shall be awarded to any recipient for the birth of any additional children in the family after the initial award of TANF cash benefits to the recipient. The cap on additional cash benefits shall not apply in cases involving the birth of an additional child in a family when the mother is the victim of rape or incest. The department of social services shall offer family planning services to all TANF cash benefit recipients.
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