Reporting on activities at the Human Services Department, for which I am liaison, the Department was informed last week through the federal American Rescue Plan, separate from funds allocated to the County, an additional direct one time cash payment of $1,700 will be made to those who qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF.
The County does not administer the program, however, the social services staff processes applications from individuals seeking to qualify for TANF. The additional monies will be added by the state to a qualified recipient’s Electronic Benefits card issued by the state’s Division of Family Development. TANF is limited by income. To qualify the maximum amount a family of two can earn is $450 per month, which is substantially below the poverty line.
There are between 20 and 30 qualified families in the County. The Human Services Department Director Meagan O’Reilly advises that there is expected to be an increase in applications as potentially qualified individuals learn of the additional payments being available.