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TEA Policy - 5000 History Section
TEA Manual 07/01/1997 5000 Termination of Cash Assistance

A case will be closed:

  1. When the recipient has requested closure. Advance notice will be given if required. (Reference TEA 4050-4051).
  2. Upon notice of another state agency that the recipient is being certified for assistance in that state.
  3. When the County Office has factual information that a recipient fails to meet any eligibility requirement.
  4. When a recipient has failed to come in for an assessment, furnish requested information or comply with other Agency procedures necessary to establish his eligibility after specific written notice (DCO-1 or system generated) that he must do so.
  5. When two warrents have been held and the County Office has not received sufficient information to reestablish his eligibility.

Cash assistance will be terminated at any point it is determined that a family is no longer eligible to receive assistance.
TEA Manual 07/01/1997 5001 Time Limit
A family which includes an adult is eligible for TEA cash assistance benefits for a period of not more than 24 months. The 24 months need not be consecutive months.

During periodic contacts, the client will be informed of how many months of eligibility he or she has remaining due to the time limit. The number of months a TEA family has received benefits can be determined via the WACE screen. The worker should view this screen during periodic interviews with the parent.

The County Office will receive a printout identifying cases which have received TEA for 6, 12, 18 or 22 months. In the last month of TEA eligibility, a system generated notice will be sent to the client advising him/her that the TEA case will be closed due to the time limit. The client will be given the opportunity to appeal the closure. However, benefits will not be continued pending the hearing decision.

Note: The time limit for TEA eligibility has no bearing on Medicaid Eligibility
TEA Manual 08/20/1998 5150 Extended Support Services (Job Retention)
Those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment may receive, during the twelve month period following case closure, cash payments for the purpose of enabling the adult to retain his or her job. The individual must show that there is an immediate job-related need which, if not resolved, will result in the termination of his or her job. In addition, there must be no other local resources available to meet the need.

The amount of the payment will be the actual amount needed to resolve the job-related need. Amounts in excess of $200 must be approved by the County Administrator.   Any amounts of $1000 or more must also be approved by the Area Assistant Director.

The Extended Support Services Job Retention Payment will not count toward the adult’s maximum twenty-four month limit.

The following are examples of situations in which a former recipient would need assistance in retaining a job:

Example: Ms. Smith started to work in July 1998 and her TEA case closed in December. Ms. Smith is still employed in February, 1999. However, her car has broken down and is in need of repairs in order for her to continue to work. All other resources have been exhausted and her case closed within the prior twelve months. In this instance, Ms. Smith may receive an Extended Support Service Job Retention payment to repair her car.

Example: Mr. Jones has been employed since March and his TEA case closed in September. Mr. Jones has not received any assistance for the past eleven months. In order for this former recipient to remain employed, he must purchase a special type of uniform. Mr. Jones states that after his expenses are met, he has very little or nothing left over for extras. All other local resources have been exhausted. In this instance, Mr. Jones may be paid an Extended Support Service Job Retention payment to purchase the special uniform.

Job Retention payments will be authorized through the WISE reimbursement system using the close override feature. If the WISE system is not available to make the payment in as timely a manner as is required to meet the need, then the manual checking account may be accessed. (Please refer to the memorandum issued to county offices regarding the Manual Checking Account).