Last page edit 04/23/08

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Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Maryland

Name   Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA).  See Family Investment Program (FIP)
Non-Financial Eligibility Conditions   Minor child residing with a parent or another adult caretaker relative or a pregnant woman with no other child. A recipient must be a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant who meets the full conditions of the rules of the program. A "child" must be under 18 or under 19 and a full time secondary school student.
Income Eligibility Conditions   Net income (from any source must be below limit after certain deductions such as child care payments, 20% of any earned income...)
Asset Eligibility Conditions   Household's countable assets must be worth less than $2,000.  Some assets are not counted, such as your home; basic items you need for day-to-day living, such as clothing and household appliances, accessories and furniture; one car of any value; life insurance policies' cash value; real property other than the family's home if it is listed for sale; an asset that is not actually available, that is, it cannot be sold.
Benefit  
1 
(or pregnant woman)		 $216
2 $380
3 $482
4 $583
5 $675

Effective October 2004
Do these numbers change?

Benefit amount varies depending on individual circumstances.  For current benefit amounts visit your local Department of Human Resources Office.
Apply At   Department of Social Services. Find your local DSS Office.  The Maryland Department of Human Resources' web site has information, an application form you can download and print, and more.  You can see if you may be eligible with the Department of Human resources "Am I Eligible" benefits calculator.
Appeals

  
  • You can appeal any denial, termination, or reduction of benefits
  • Appeals must be filed in writing at the DSS office.  It is best to file it in person and to get a receipt showing that you filed the appeal.
  • Appeals must be filed within 90 days of the action, or you cannot appeal.
  • If you file within 10 days of notice that benefits are being terminated or reduced,  they will automatically continue until the decision.  If you do not want benefits to continue until the decision you must specifically request that they not continue.  If you do not appeal within 10 days, the termination or reduction will happen.
    •
    Source of the Funds   State and federal funds
    You Also Would Be Eligible For   Food Stamps, Medical Assistance
    Sources of Law

    		  

    Federal Law: 42 U.S.C. §§ 601 to 619 

    Federal Regulations:

    State Law: Maryland Annotated Code §§44A to 56, but especially:

    • §48 Eligibility for Assistance, 
    • §50 Temporary Cash Assistance; transitional assistance, and 
    • §50A Temporary Cash Assistance

    State Regulations: COMAR 07.03.03.00 to 07.03.03.9999 [At this page, click the "Family Investment Program" chapter at 07.07.03.]

    • 07.03.03.06   The Assistance Unit (who is included)
    • 07.03.03.07   Eligibility Requirements (residence, and other factors besides financial eligibility)
    • 07.03.03.11   Financial Eligibility (income eligibility rules)
    • 07.03.03.12   Assets (eligibility rules about bank accounts and other valuable property; what is counted, and what is not counted)
    • 07.03.03.23   Appeals (conferences with DSS and hearings)

    State Policy Materials
    Other   This program is very complicated, and is different from county to county.  It is always a good idea to get legal advice if you are denied or terminated, or if benefits are reduced.

    Net Income by Household Size (These amounts may change; you should decide not to apply for benefits solely on the bases of the information here.  The rules are complicated, and the only way to be positive whether you are eligible is by filing an application.)

    1
    (or pregnant woman)    		 $216
    2 $380
    3 $482
    4 $583
    5 $675

    Effective October 2004
    Do these numbers change?

    Benefit amount varies depending on individual circumstances.  For current benefit amounts visit your local Department of Human Resources Office.

    Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN), updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

      Last review 4/23/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)
    Is this legal advice? This site offers legal information, not legal advice.  We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options.  However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.  See our section on Finding Legal Help.

    About this website. The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. The website was developed (1999-2007) as part of an access to justice initiative by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders.  In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: Maryland's People’s Law Library – www.peoples-law.org. © Maryland State Law Library, 2007.”

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