Assigned to FS & APPROP                                                                                    AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1089

 

TANF; eligibility requirements

 

Purpose

 

            Restores eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) to children born during specified time periods, except children born after July 25, 1995 but before the effective date of this bill.

 

Background

 

            Current statutes relating to TANF deems ineligible for benefits any child born during three periods of time:  (1) when the child’s parent is receiving welfare benefits; (2) during a voluntary interruption in benefits of less than five years; and (3) while the parent is temporarily ineligible due to noncompliance with an eligibility requirement. 

 

There are exceptions for children born:  (1) as a result of sexual assault;  (2) within the first ten months of the parent’s initial eligibility; (3) within ten months after the twelfth consecutive month the parent was not receiving benefits; and (4) within ten months of the parent’s resumption of benefits following 12 months of not receiving benefits.

 

            The bill removes ineligibility based on the time period of a child’s birth, thereby allowing a family to receive $72 per month in cash assistance for a child born to a TANF recipient.  The bill also contains a legislative intent clause that the bill has only prospective effect and is effective if TANF funds for federal fiscal year 2002-2003 are appropriated at an amount at least equal to the current TANF funding for Arizona, excluding bonus monies.  Finally, children born between July 25, 1995 and the effective date of this bill are permanently excluded from receiving TANF benefits.

 

A fiscal analysis conducted by Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff estimates an annual impact range of approximately $500,000 to $1 million from a combination of federal TANF and state general funds.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Allows a family to receive an additional TANF benefit for a child born while a parent is receiving TANF benefits, born during a voluntary interruption of benefits or born during a period of noncompliance, unless the child was born between July 25, 1995 and the effective date of this act.

 

2.      Makes permanently ineligible for TANF a child born after July 25, 1995 but before the effective date of this act.

 

3.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

4.      Confirms that the act is prospective.

 

5.      Conditions enactment on TANF appropriations for FFY 2002-2003 being at least equal to TANF appropriations for FFY 2001-2002.

 

6.      Requires the Director of the Department of Economic Security to notify Legislative Council of the federal reauthorization and funding amount within one day of receiving notification from the federal government.

 

7.      Becomes effective on the federal funding applicable date.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee

 

·        Corrects the federal fiscal year reference to the first year TANF is reauthorized.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

·        Continues ineligibility for TANF benefits for a child born after July 25, 1995 but before the effective date of this act.

 

Senate Action

 

FS                    1/23/02            DPA    5-1-0-0

APPROP         3/12/02            DP       8-2-2-0

3rd Read           4/2/02                        17-9-4-0

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 2, 2002