9999 Glossary
User Manual: Glossary
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 1
ADEQUATE NOTICE - A written notice to customers explaining the local department’s
intended action on their case, its reason, and the effective date. If the action is
negative, the notice also includes the customer’s right to a hearing, the circumstances
under which assistance is continued if a hearing is requested, and the obligation to
repay any benefits issued during the appeal period based on the hearing decision.
ADEQUATE REASON - Circumstances beyond the individual's control that prevented
the individual from complying with a specific requirement.
ADMINISTRATION - Any of the administrations within the Department of Human
Resources such as Social Services Administration (SSA), Family Investment
Administration (FIA), and Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA).
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE - A hearings officer designated by the Maryland Office
of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to render a decision on an appeal request hearing.
ADVERSE ACTION - Reducing or terminating the amount of benefits a customer
receives.
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT -A legally binding contract that an immigrant's sponsor
signs, agreeing to financially support the immigrant to prevent him or her from becoming
a public charge.
AGED BENEFITS - Cash assistance benefits that are automatically removed from the
electronic benefit transfer system because they have not been accessed within 90 days
of the initial authorization or last withdrawal.
AGENCY ERROR- A failure by the local department to act upon information provided
within prescribed time limits or act correctly on information provided.
ALIEN -See the definition of IMMIGRANT.
APPEAL- A request made by an applicant or recipient for a review by the Office of
Administrative Hearings (OAH) regarding an action taken by the Agency.
APPLICANT - An individual who submits an application for assistance, through a
representative, or someone acting on his or her behalf of the applicant, if the applicant
is incompetent or incapacitated.
ASSESSMENT - An evaluation of an applicant’s or recipient’s strengths and resources
necessary to determine the services needed to assist the assistance unit in becoming
independent.
ASSET - Any real or personal property an applicant or recipient owns which may be
used to meet living expenses. This includes cash on hand, savings, car and items that
can be converted to cash, such as stocks and bonds.
ASSISTANCE UNIT - A group of individuals living together whose eligibility must be
determined for cash assistance.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 2
ASYLEE -An individual who has been granted asylum under section 206 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE -An adult non-household member who has been
designated in writing to act on behalf of an applicant or recipient household.
ASVI- (Alien Status Verification Index)- The data based that is accessed through the
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement Program (SAVE) for verifying the validity of
alien immigration documentation.
BENEFICIARY AND EARNINGS DATA EXCHANGE (BENDEX) - A system match
which identifies Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Stamp recipients who are
receiving Social Security benefits, private pensions, wages from out-of-state
employment, veterans benefits, other government benefits, and those who are self-
employed.
BENEFIT - The amount of assistance paid.
BLUE BOOK - See the definition of National Automobile Dealers Association Guide
(NADA).
BURIAL ASSISTANCE (BA) - The state-funded assistance which pays funeral
expenses of eligible persons.
CARETAKER RELATIVE - A parent or other person related by blood, marriage, or
adoption living with and caring for a minor child.
CASE - The group of individuals living together whose needs and resources are
considered when authorizing program benefits.
CATEGORICALLY ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD - A household considered eligible for food
stamps because all members receive or are authorized to receive TCA, TEMHA, PAA
or SSI or TANF benefits.
CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT (CCU) – The unit within the Department of Budget and
Management responsible for pursuing the payment of debts owed to the State of
Maryland.
CHESSIE - MD CHILDREN’S ELECTRONIC SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION
EXCHANGE – SOCIAL SERVICES tracking system
CHILD - An individual younger than 18 years, a full-time student younger than 19 years,
or a 19 year old who is expected to complete school in the calendar year the child
turned 19. For Purchase of Care (POC) purposes, CHILD means an individual younger
than 13 years or a disabled individual under 19 years. For Emergency Assistance to
Families with Children (EA) purposes a child is someone under age 21.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 3
CHILD ABUSE - The physical and mental injury of a child by a parent or other person
who has permanent or temporary care or responsibility of the child.
CHILD CARE - Care in a State-recognized setting by an individual other than the
parent, stepparent, guardian, or caretaker for less than a 24-hour day and for which
compensation is paid.
CHILD CARE AUTOMATED TRACKING SYSTEM (CCATS)-Purchase of Child Care
automated database that assists in determining eligibility for purchase of child care
subsidy and voucher issuance system.
CHILD SPECIFIC BENEFIT - A third party or restricted payment made on behalf of a
child born to an assistance unit member 10 months or more after the member has been
informed of the child specific benefit policy and has signed the agreement of
understanding. This policy was repealed by the State legislature in 2008.
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE - The federal agency within the
Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for the administration and
enforcement of the United States immigration laws. (Formerly called Immigration and
Naturalization service.
CLIENT AUTOMATED RESOURCE AND ELIGIBILITY SYSTEM (CARES) –
Maryland’s automated database that assists in determining customer eligibility; collects
benefit history, and issues benefits and reports for the cash assistance, food stamp and
medical assistance programs.
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) - The federal administrative guidelines
that govern states in the administration of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF) and other federally funded programs.
CO-PAYMENT – Child Care Subsidy -that portion of the financial cost of child care that
is assigned to a family and paid on a unit basis by the family to the provider.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) – An annual adjustment to a federal benefit
to enable the beneficiary to keep pace with the changing economy. The amount is
determined in relation to the cost of living index.
COUNTABLE INCOME - Income that must be counted when determining eligibility for
assistance.
CUSTOMER - The person/family applying for or receiving assistance.
CUSTOMER ERROR–inadvertent failure by the customer to correctly, promptly, or
adequately report information that would have reduced the amount of the continuing
assistance payments or resulted in total ineligibility.
DATE OF ADMISSION OR DATE OF ENTRY - The date established by the Citizenship
and Naturalization Service as the date an immigrant was admitted into the United
States.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 4
DEEMED INCOME/DEEMED RESOURCES – The income and resources of ineligible
household members and sponsors of immigrants and the sponsor's spouse counted
when determining the eligibility and benefit amount of eligible household members.
DEPARTMENT- The Department of Human Resources (DHR).
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) – The federal
agency which among other things has responsibility for providing assistance in rent,
mortgage, and utility payments.
DESIGNEE - An individual or agency designated by the Secretary of DHR to carry out a
set of requirements.
DISABILITY ENTITLEMENT ADVOCACY PROGRAM (DEAP) - A State program to
assist severely disabled individuals in applying for and establishing eligibility for SSI.
DISABLED - The inability to perform any substantial gainful activity by reason of a
medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to end in
death or has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of 12 months.
DISPLACEMENT - Employing or assigning a subsidized work experience participant in
the position of a company employee who has been terminated or re-assigned.
DOCUMENTATION - Written proof from a third party used to verify the statements
made by the applicant or customer.
EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT (EPSDT) -
The provision of preventive health care under 42 CFR §441.50 et seq., including
medical and dental services, in order to assess growth and development and detect and
treat health problems in MA individuals under the age of 21. Provided by the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)
EARNED INCOME - Payment received by an individual for work or services performed.
This includes wages, salaries, commissions, tips, and proceeds from self-employment.
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) – Money paid by the federal or State
government to certain employed individuals who are responsible for the care of a child
and whose earnings are less than federal standards
ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER SYSTEM (EBTS) -A benefit issuance system in
which benefits information is stored in a central computer database. Benefits are
accessed with a reusable plastic card at an automated teller machine (ATM) or a point
of sale machine (POS).
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN (EAFC) –Assistance,
provided to a household with an individual under age 21 that prevents the destitution of
the individual under 21.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 5
ENERGY CRISIS - Weather-related or supply-shortage emergencies or other
household energy-related emergencies.
ENUMERATION – The process of verifying a person's Social Security number by
requiring him to provide or apply for an SSN as a condition of eligibility.
EQUITY OR EQUITY VALUE - The fair market value of a resource, less all
encumbrances. It is also the countable amount of an asset.
EXCLUDED INCOME - Income that is not used to determine eligibility for assistance.
EXPEDITED SERVICE – The method by which a food stamp application is processed
to ensure receipt of benefits no later than the seventh calendar day following the date
an identifiable application is received.
FAIR MARKET VALUE - The amount the resource would bring if sold on the current
local market.
FAMILY - One or more adults and children, related by blood, marriage, or adoption
FAMILY INCOME - The combined income of all family members.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE PLAN- A plan developed by the family and the case
manager that addresses the services needed to enable a family to become self-
supporting through the employment of one or more household members.
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION (FIA) - The office within the Department of
Human Resources that administers the Family Investment Program (FIP).
FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (FIP) - Assistance provided to families with children
while preparing the participants for independence. Components under FIP include
Welfare Avoidance Grants, Child Care, Medical Assistance, Temporary Cash
Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Child Support, and other alternative programs.
FAMILY SERVICES - The program of services provided to help preserve family unity
and stability.
FAMILY SIZE -The number of individuals residing as a family in the same household.
FAMILY VIOLENCE - Any physical or mental abuse to a spouse, ex-spouse, or intimate
partner or to another member of the family that results or threatens to result in injury to
the individual. This includes sexual abuse, sexual activity involving a dependent child,
nonconsensual sexual acts or activities, neglect or deprivation of medical care, or false
imprisonment.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS) – The branch of the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) that administers the Food Stamp Program
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
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FOOD STAMP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (FSET) – A program operated in the
local departments with guidance from DHR central consisting of one or more direct
work, work training, education, or job search components designed to help recipients
move into unsubsidized employment.
FOOD SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM – (formerly the FOOD STAMP PROGRAM) The
food assistance program that permits low-income households to obtain a more
nutritious diet through normal channels of food distribution by increasing purchasing
power.
FRAUD - Intentional withholding of the truth to deceive. For FIA programs, fraud can
only be determined by a court of law, an administrative hearing, or when a customer
signs an administrative disqualification hearing waiver.
FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT - Working 100 hours or more within a calendar month
GOOD CAUSE - Circumstances under which the customer is excused from cooperating
with a requirement.
GOOD CAUSE - CHILD SUPPORT- Circumstances exist in which cooperation with the
Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) may be against the best interest of the
child. (See the explanations set forth in COMAR 07.03.03.08F).
GOOD CAUSE - FAMILY VIOLENCE - TCA requirements are waived because adults
or children in the home are victims of family violence and their cooperation may further
endanger them.
GOOD CAUSE - WORK REQUIREMENTS – The customer has good reason for not
cooperating with the work requirements. The customer was sick or one of his or her
children was sick, the customer has an illness or disability that is severe but is less than
12 months.
GROSS INCOME - The total countable income of the applicant or recipient before any
deductions.
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD - A person designated by the household to be the case payee.
HEARING - An informal but legally binding meeting conducted by a hearings officer to
provide the applicant or recipient an impartial and objective review of a local
department’s action on the applicant or recipient’s benefits.
HEARING REQUEST – Any oral or written request by the household, or a person acting
for the household, exercising its right to have a fair hearing on any action that the
household is in disagreement with the local department's handling.
HOMELESS - Residents of Maryland without shelter who lack the resources to obtain
shelter. It also refers to those individuals whose primary nighttime residence is a shelter
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 7
or any place not designed for or ordinarily used for sleeping, such as hallways, bus
stations, parks, or other similar places.
HOUSEHOLD - An individual or group of individuals who are living together as a unit.
HOUSEHOLD DISASTER – A natural event such as a flood or a tornado; or a
devastating event, such as a fire, causing food loss. A mechanical breakdown such as
a power outage or a refrigerator breakdown is not considered a disaster
ILLEGAL ALIEN - Someone who enters and remains in the United States without
official authorization, either by entering without permission of Citizenship and
Naturalization Services Department of Homeland Security, overstaying their visa, or
violating the terms of their visa. This person is also known as an undocumented
immigrant.
IMMIGRANT - An individual of foreign origin granted permanent residency.
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE (INS) - The federal agency within
the Department of Justice which is responsible for the administration and enforcement
of the United States immigration laws. Now called Citizenship and Naturalization
Services, an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security.
INADVERTENT HOUSEHOLD ERROR (IHE) – A household's misunderstanding or
unintentional error which includes:
• Failure to provide correct or complete information;
• Failure to report changes; or
• Receipt of benefits, or more benefits than the household was entitled to
receive (if the household requests a hearing, the determination by the local
department of an overissuance of benefits caused by an IHE would be
pending a hearing decision in favor of the LDSS.)
INCOME - Money received from any source.
INCOME ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION SYSTEM (IEVS) - A system from which
information is obtained for purposes of income eligibility verification.
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS (IDA) - An account established by or for an
individual who is eligible for assistance under the TANF program, to allow the individual
to accumulate funds for specific purposes.
IN-KIND EARNINGS OR IN-KIND INCOME - Payment other than money (such as rent,
utilities, food, or living space) in exchange for work or services performed.
INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES - The subprogram of Family Services providing short-
term, comprehensive, in-home services and financial assistance to assist families in
extreme crisis to prevent out-of-home placement of a child.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 8
INTENTIONAL PROGRAM VIOLATION (IPV) - The act, by an individual, of
withholding, concealing, or misrepresenting facts for the sole purpose of receiving cash
assistance that the individual would not be eligible for.
INTERIM CHANGE - A change in a customer’s situation, between application and
redetermination that may affect continuing eligibility or the amount of benefits received.
LANDLORD - The owner of the property who leases or rents the property to the
household.
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR) - A person who lives in the United States
permanently and qualifies as a refugee, asylee, or immigrant, or who has been granted
amnesty other than suspension of deportation.
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) - Immigrants and refugees who do not speak
English are said to have limited English proficiency. LEP programs assist non-English
speakers in learning the language.
LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES - The offices, in Baltimore City and
each of the 23 counties in Maryland, which administer the Family Investment Program
(FIP).
LOCAL PLANS - The plans developed by the local departments of social services to
operate FIP within State guidelines and Federal requirements.
LUMP SUM - Unearned income that is received on a nonrecurring basis.
MARYLAND ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MEAP) - Heating assistance grants
provided to fuel suppliers and utility companies on the behalf of eligible MEAP
applicants during a three to five month period of the year (usually winter months).
MARYLAND REACHING INDEPENDENCE AND STABILITY THRU EMPLOYMENT
(RISE) –Redesigned in 2008, Maryland’s TCA work program to assist customer’s in
becoming self-sufficient and earn a living wage.
MASS CHANGE – A State or federal program or benefit change affecting the entire
caseload or part of the caseload.
MEANS TESTED PROGRAM - A program with eligibility conditions which limit benefits
to persons who meet income and/or resource limits.
MEDICAID - Medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MA) - The program administered by the State under Title XIX
which provides comprehensive medical and other health-related care for eligible people.
MINOR – A child under the age of 18.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 9
NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION GUIDE (NADA) - A book that is
published quarterly which lists values for most makes and models of cars and trucks. It
is most commonly referred to as the "blue book".
NON-COMPLIANCE - Failure to complete required activities or tasks without good
cause.
NON-IMMIGRANT - An individual allowed to enter the United States for a specific
purpose and for a limited period of time such as: tourists, students, and business
visitors.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION - A religious, charitable, or volunteer organization
exempt from taxation under Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code.
NOTICE OF ADVERSE ACTION (NOAA) - Written notice to customers advising of
intended action to reduce, cancel, or suspend benefits to the household.
OBLIGEE - A person to whom support is owed by order of a court of law or a state to
which support rights are assigned.
OBLIGOR - A person, or taxpayer, owing a specific periodic payment for support under
a court order.
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS (OAH) - The state administration
department responsible for scheduling and conducting the hearings of appeals.
OFFSETTING – Reducing the amount of an overissuance by the amount of restored
(under issued) benefits owed to a household.
OVERPAYMENT - The amount of benefit or payment received by a customer or service
provider to which the payee was not entitled as determined by applicable FIA and
MSDE regulations.
PARENT - The natural or adoptive mother or father of a child.
PARIS- Public Assistance Reporting Information System-a voluntary Federal-State
partnership which provides participating state public-assistance agencies detailed
information and data to assist them in maintaining program integrity and detecting/
deterring improper payments.
PAROLEES - Certain individuals or groups allowed to enter the United States in an
emergency or because of public interest. The reasons for the temporary residence
status could be medical, legal, or humanitarian.
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT - Working less than 100 hours within a calendar month.
PAYMENT IRREGULARITIES - Any payment that does not equal the amount the
customer or the household is eligible for if all eligibility and need criteria are applied
correctly.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
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PAYMENT MONTH – The calendar month for which the household receives an
allotment.
PRIMARY PREVENTION INITIATIVE - A TCA requirement that customers provide
verification of health examinations and school attendance for their minor children.
PRORATION - The determination of the benefit due the household from the date of
application to the end of the month of application
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO ADULTS (PAA) – A monthly payment of State funds to a
person who has been certified for Assisted Living, a CARE Home or Rehabilitative
Residence.
PUBLIC HOUSING - A dwelling complex owned and operated by a local government,
whose residents are eligible to reside there, based on income.
PURCHASE OF CARE (POC) -Assistance available to eligible families to help pay for
child care needs. Administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
and implemented by DHR/FIA.
QUALIFIED IMMIGRANT
• An immigrant lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA).
• An immigrant granted asylum under §208 of the INA.
• A refugee admitted under §207 of the INA.
• An immigrant who is paroled under §212(d)(5) of the INA for a period of at least 1
year.
• An immigrant whose deportation is being withheld under §§243(h) or 241(b)(3)
after April 1, 1997 of the INA.
• An immigrant who is granted conditional entry pursuant to §203(a)(7) of the INA.
• Certain battered alien spouses and children.
• Cuban and Haitian entrants
QUALITY CONTROL (QC) – The branch of FIA or FNS which provides data on the
accuracy with which the department is applying eligibility and payment requirements.
QC gathers data through continuous review of a statistically reliable statewide sample of
active cases.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
Page 11
REFUGEE - A person who flees his or her country due to persecution or fear of
persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a
social group.
RESIDENCY - Refers to an individual who lives in Maryland and has no intention of
leaving during the time in which services are provided.
RESOURCE - The amount left from an asset or from income, after all exclusions and
disregards are applied, which is counted when determining the assistance unit’s
eligibility.
ROOMER - An individual to whom a household furnishes lodging but not meals for
compensation.
SAIL-SERVICES ACCESS INFORMATION LINK- DHR’s web-based screening and
application tool that will allow Maryland applicants to complete an income prescreening
tool and an application for benefits.
SANCTION - A penalty imposed when a customer fails to comply with program
requirements.
SELF-EMPLOYED - Earnings from the operation of an individual’s own business.
SPONSOR - An individual or a public or private agency or organization that has
executed an affidavit of support or a similar agreement on behalf of an immigrant as a
condition of the immigrant’s entry into the United States as a permanent resident.
SPONSORED IMMIGRANT - An individual, under sponsorship, lawfully admitted for
permanent residence to the United States. The old deeming rules apply to immigrants
sponsored before December 19, 1997. The new deeming rules apply to immigrants
sponsored under the new affidavit of support (Form I-864) filed on or after December
19, 1997.
STATE VERIFICATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM (SVES) - A statewide automated data
exchange system between DHR and the Social Security Administration for verifying
social security numbers, Title II Social Security benefits (RSDI), and Supplemental
Security income benefits (SSI).
STEPPARENT - A person who is married to the natural or adoptive parent.
STRIKE - A slowdown or stoppage of work by employees.
STRIKER - A person who is participating in a strike.
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT -Employment in the public or private sector, which is
supported in part or wholly by federal or state funds for a limited or specific period of
time.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
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SUBSIDIZED HOUSING - A privately owned dwelling complex where eligibility for
residency is based on income and the rental fees are subsidized by federal or local
funding. This includes housing projects, Section 8, and FMHA housing ONLY
SUBSTANCE ABUSE – the excessive and dependent use of drugs such as alcohol,
narcotics, cocaine, or heroin, etc.
.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) - The federally funded benefit paid by the
Social Security Administration to needy individuals who meet established disability
requirements or are 65 years or older.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) - The federal program that
provides funding and guidelines for State cash assistance to families with children
programs.
TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE (TCA) –Cash assistance provided to families with
children under age 18 or age 19 if the child will graduate from high school in the year he
or she turns 19, who are technically and financially eligible (Replaces the old Aid to
Families with Dependent Children Program AFDC).
TEMPORARY DISABILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM A cash assistance program for
low income disabled adults without children who are waiting for an eligibility
determination by SSA.
THIRD-PARTY PAYEE - A responsible individual, a non-profit organization, a for-profit
organization, or a government entity, including a local department, which is authorized
to accept TCA payments on behalf of a recipient.
TIME LIMITS – refers to the 60 countable months a customer can receive TCA.
TIMELY NOTICE - Written notification to a customer at least 10 calendar days before
action is taken to reduce or terminate the customer’s benefits.
TRANSITIONAL EMERGENCY, MEDICAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE (TEHMA) -
A cash assistance program for low income disabled adults. (TEMHA has been replaced
by TDAP Program)
UNDERPAYMENT - A payment received by a recipient or service provider which is less
than the benefit amount the customer or household is eligible for.
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT – an alien, who enters or lives in the United States
without official authorization, either by entering without inspection by the US Bureau of
Citizenship and Naturalization Services, overstaying their visa, or violating the terms of
their visa. This person is also known as an illegal alien.
UNEARNED INCOME - Money received from sources such as pensions, benefits,
returns from investments, annuities, payments of support, educational grants or loans,
or contributions.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
MANUAL
GLOSSARY APPENDIX
REVISED DECEMBER 2008
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UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT - Employment in the public or private sector that is not
supported by federal or state funds.
VENDOR PAYMENT - A payment made to a third party on behalf of an individual or
family.
VERIFICATION - Proof that the statements made by an individual during the
application, interim change or redetermination process are true. This includes proof
contained in documents or records of public or private agencies, firms, or individuals.
VOUCHER - A coupon given to a customer by the local department for use in
purchasing service from a provider.
WELFARE AVOIDANCE GRANT (WAG) - Non-entitlement cash assistance, given to a
family with children, paid in accordance with the local department’s plan for the family’s
immediate and limited needs to avoid continuing cash assistance. The applicant or the
recipient and the local department sign an agreement that the family will not be eligible
for TCA for the months the WAG is intended to cover.
WORK EXPERIENCE - Time-limited preparation for employment in a public or private
work setting. This is a federal work activity category.
WORKS-The automated activity tracking system for the TCA work programs.
