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MAIN
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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 8 No. 3 |
September 2004 |
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MAIN
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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 8 No. 3 |
September 2004 |
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Good News for TANF and
Low-Wage Working Families!Beginning late last fall MAIN members and Maine Equal Justice staff talked with the Governor’s office and DHS to make the case for increases in TANF and more help for TANF and low-wage working families. Maine’s TANF benefits are the very lowest in New England and have increased by only $32 over the last 13 years for a family of 3, well behind the rate of inflation over that time. Key problems that MAIN pointed out were problems families faced with lack of transportation, the high cost of housing and just plain lack of income. MAIN is very pleased with the initiatives that the Department has proposed to begin to address their concerns. There is still a long way to go to ensure that the needs of Maine’s low-income families with children are adequately met, but these changes are three important steps in that direction. For these we are grateful.
$200 clothing allowance for all TANF families. By late August or early September all TANF and Parents as Scholars families will receive $200 to help them buy work or school clothing. Families will receive this payment either on their EBT card or through direct deposit. Food stamp benefits will not be reduced because of this payment.
More families will be eligible to receive “Alternative Aid” to help them eliminate barriers to getting or keeping a job. The Alternative Aid program helps families with children who are not on TANF resolve problems that prevent them from getting or keeping a job. For example, the program provides help with car repairs, childcare, uniforms or even help with housing-related emergencies if those things are needed to help them get or keep a job. Aid is given in the form of a voucher and can equal up to three month’s worth of TANF benefits ($1,455 for a family of 3). The income eligibility limit for this program will be increased from its current very low level to 133% of the poverty level. (See chart below.)
Transitional Transportation benefits for families leaving TANF for work will be extended from 3 to 12 months. Families that lose their TANF benefit when they go to work, or increase their hours of work, are eligible for “transitional benefits,” including Transitional Transportation. Families have 30 days (with some limited exceptions) to apply for this benefit after they get a notice telling them that they are no longer eligible for TANF.
This benefit will now be available to families for a full 12 months after they leave TANF so long as they: (1) remain employed, and (2) do not return to the TANF Program within that period.Get more details on Alternative Aid
Get more detail on Transitional Benefits
Family Size 125% of FPL 133% of FPL 185% of FPL 2 $1,302 $1,385 $1,926 3 $1,633 $1,737 $2,416 4 $1,964 $2,090 $2,907 5 $2,295 $2,442 $3,397 6 $2,627 $2,795 $3,887
