{"id":3699,"date":"2018-10-15T09:15:11","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-family-law\/?page_id=3699"},"modified":"2022-12-14T10:14:35","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T17:14:35","slug":"how-to-get-cash-aid-without-child-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-family-law\/blog\/how-to-get-cash-aid-without-child-support\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Cash Aid Without Child Support in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are a number of government programs that provide aid to families in need. In Arizona, custodial parents with a dependent child who does not receive child support can receive cash aid from Arizona Cash Assistance<\/a>, a state-run TANF program. Qualifying for cash assistance is relatively simple, though it is a time-limited program (5 years) and there are employment (or employment-seeking) requirements for the responsible adult.<\/p>\n TANF<\/a> is a federal government assistance program that provides financial support for low-income families with dependent children. The program allows states to establish their own assistance program and offers federal grants to support the state-run programs.<\/p>\n The TANF program was designed to accomplish four primary goals:<\/p>\n Arizona Cash Assistance<\/a>, a division of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, is the state-run TANF program in Arizona. The program has a 5-year (60 month) duration limit, and imposes the following eligibility requirements:<\/p>\n Furthermore, program participants are required to complete and sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement. This agreement mandates compliance with the Jobs Program, DES Child Support Services, school attendance, and child immunizations (if applicable).<\/p>\n In order to focus the program\u2019s limited resources on the families who need cash aid the most, the Arizona Cash Assistance Program only approves applicants with a household income of less than 130% of the US poverty line<\/a>. Based on the most recent guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, that translates into the following income which can be found here<\/a> depending on your state.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a first-time applicant or need to renew your benefits, you\u2019ll need the following documents and information to complete the application:<\/p>\n After you submit your application for cash aid, you\u2019ll need to complete an eligibility interview by phone or at the nearest field office. When you attend the interview, be sure to bring your proof of citizenship, Social Security numbers, and financial documents to verify your income. At the conclusion of the interview, the representative will let you know if the state needs any additional documentation to review your case. Assuming the interview goes well, your case will then be referred back to the home office for a final review.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, you should receive a response from Arizona Cash Assistance within 45 days of filing your application. The agency issues decisions by mail, though you may also monitor the status of your case online with Health-e-Arizona Plus<\/a> or MyFamilyBenefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you are approved, you\u2019ll be required to report any changes that may affect your eligibility for the Arizona Cash Assistance Program. This includes any changes in child support, as child support payments are considered a source of household income. Your approval letter will indicate whether your case requires standard or simple reporting.<\/p>\n Child support can have a significant impact on your eligibility for Arizona Cash Assistance. If you receive child support payments, these payments must be included in your household income. If you have a child support order but the non-custodial parent isn\u2019t making payments, the state will take action to enforce the child support order. If you don\u2019t have a child support order at all, the state will open a case to seek child support on your behalf.<\/p>\n In any case, program participants generally cannot receive private child support payments while receiving cash aid. Instead, the child support payments would need to be directed to Arizona Child Support Services to reimburse the state for its Cash Assistance payments to the custodial parent.<\/p>\n Note that if you have not named your child\u2019s father, Arizona Child Support Services will require you to do so before you can receive Cash Assistance benefits. When you identify the father, the state will likely order a paternity test to confirm. Refusing to name the father may disqualify you from receiving Cash Assistance, unless you are refraining from association with the father due to domestic violence.<\/p>\nTemporary Assistance for Needy Families<\/h2>\n
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Arizona Cash Assistance Program<\/h2>\n
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Income Eligibility Guidelines<\/h2>\n
What you Need to Apply for Cash Aid<\/h2>\n
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The Eligibility Interview<\/h2>\n
Receiving a Decision<\/h2>\n
How Does Child Support Affect Eligibility for Arizona Cash Assistance?<\/h2>\n