Family Support Payments to States_Assistance Payments

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Program Accomplishments

There were 3 awards made to the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands in fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008. Similar awards will be made in fiscal year 2009.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Cash payments are made to eligible needy aged, blind, or disabled persons in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

These payments are to cover costs for food, shelter, clothing, and other daily living needs recognized as necessary be each Territory's program.

In addition, an individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Agencies must operate under Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved plans and agreements, which must comply with all Federal statutory and regulatory requirements governing these programs.

The applicant must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements.

In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The beneficiary must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements. In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled. These programs also have specific unearned and earned income disregards that are applied in determining the amount of assistance payable.

Credentials/Documentation

Federal funds must go to a certified Territorial welfare agency. Individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, the Social Security Act, and Federal Regulations.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms, as furnished by DHHS and required by OMB Circular No.

A-102 for State and local governments must be used for this program.

Applications are available from the Administration for Children and Families (OFA/ACF) Regional Offices.

(See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.) This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Eligible individuals should apply directly to their Territorial or local welfare agency. The Territories should contact the Regional TANF program manager for application forms. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.) OFA/Regional Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program managers have authority to approve applications and amendments; disapproval authority is held by the Director of the Office of Family Assistance, in the Administration for Children and Families. Territories contact the Regional TANF program manager for applications for administrative funds. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedures

Once an application is approved, Territories are awarded funds quarterly based on ACF-approved estimates of maintenance assistance and administrative costs. Notification of awards must be made to the designated Territorial agency. Eligible individuals receive monthly subsistence checks from Territorial welfare agencies.

Deadlines

Individuals residing in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands who are aged, blind, or disabled may apply anytime for this assistance at their local welfare agency.

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title IV, Part A, as amended; Public Law 104-193; Title I, 42 U.S.C. 301-306; 42 U.S.C. 1308, Title X, 42 U.S.C. 1201-1206; Title XIV, 42 U.S.C. 1351-1355; Title XVI (AABD), 42 U.S.C. 1381 note - 1385 note; Public Laws 97-35, 97-248, 97-300, 98-369, 100-485, and 103-66.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Welfare agencies must have a time standard for notifying applicants of approval/disapproval; not over 45 days after application, except 60 days for aid to disabled.

Appeals

Individuals denied assistance must be given a fair hearing on appeal (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 205.10). Territorial agencies may request a hearing before the Assistant Secretary for Family Support regarding adverse decisions (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 201.14; 45 CFR, Part 16).

Renewals

The agency must conduct periodic reviews to determine whether conditions justifying eligibility still exist.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Formula and Matching Requirements: Essentially the Federal share of expenditures for Old Age Assistance, Aid To The Blind, and Aid To The Permanently and Totally Disabled programs is equal to about 75 percent, not to exceed a maximum amount per recipient. However, there is a statutory limit on the total Federal matching or grant payments that Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam may receive for programs that are subject to this payment ceiling. These programs include the above-named Adult programs, the TANF Program, the Federal Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, Independent Living Programs authorized under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the Federal Matching Grant program under section 1108(b) of the Social Security Act. If the Territory has not exceeded its payment ceiling amount for the fiscal year, then the Territory may request and receive Federal matching funds for the above-named Adult programs.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Individuals receive support from the Territorial or local welfare agency until they no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Territory must submit fiscal FSA-231 and statistical reports as required by the Secretary of HHS to ACF.

A Treasury Report, TUS- 5104, is required from the States each time funds are drawn and no less frequently than monthly.

Audits

Audits are performed by the HHS Office of Inspector General. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Territories must maintain records which substantiate eligibility determination and grants that are made.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1501-0-1-609.

Obigations

(Formula Grants) FY 07 $32,808,000; FY 08 $35,000,000; and FY 09 est $35,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$700,000 to $21,000,000; $7,700,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

ACF regulations are published in the Federal Register, 45 CFR 200 et seq.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Individuals needing assistance should contact the local welfare agency. Territories should contact OFA/ACF Regional Offices. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.)

Headquarters Office

Office of the Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 5th Floor, Aerospace Building, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 401-9275.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

None.