1740 AU Composition Changes

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

AU Composition Changes

Effective Date:

July 2023

Chapter:

1700

Policy Number:

1740

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 72

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-73

Requirements

The assistance unit (AU) includes members of the standard filing unit (SFU) and may include other related individuals.

Basic Considerations

Any change in the composition of an AU must be evaluated in terms of its effect on the AU’s eligibility. Individuals who are added to an AU must meet all eligibility requirements.

Evaluate the size and composition of the AU when an individual moves in with the AU. Determine whether the individual is required to be included in the AU.

Procedures

Complete the following procedures when the individual is being added to an AU and is a SFU member:

  • Document changes in the system.

  • If the addition of the new SFU member results in an overpayment or total ineligibility for the AU because of the new member’s income or resources, that change is a financial change. Make the change effective the month after the change occurs or no later than the second month in which the individual began living with the AU, depending on when the worker takes action and timely notice expires.

  • If the addition of the new SFU member causes an increase in benefits, make the change effective the month after the change is reported or the month in which all eligibility requirements are met, whichever is later.

  • Penalize the individual if the AU fails to cooperate in establishing eligibility for the SFU member.

  • Terminate cash assistance if the AU fails to cooperate in establishing eligibility for the SFU member if the failure to cooperate makes eligibility for the entire AU questionable.

Complete the following procedures when an individual is being added as a non-SFU member to an AU or the individual is being added to any other AU:

  • Process a new application for the new member, using normal processing and notification procedures.

  • If the AU fails to cooperate in establishing eligibility for the non-SFU member or any other AU member, deny the application and provide adequate notice.

Adding AU Member

Compute a trial budget to determine ongoing eligibility when adding an AU member. Include the new AU member’s income and resources in the trial budget.

Follow the steps below if the AU is ineligible based on the trial budget:

  1. Terminate cash assistance, allowing timely notice

  2. Determine if an overpayment of cash assistance has occurred.

  3. If the AU remains eligible based on the trial budget, complete the following:

    • Schedule an interview.

    • Establish all points of eligibility.

    • Request necessary verification including mandatory forms

    • Finalize upon return of verification

      An interview is not required when adding a newborn to the AU.

Adding a SFU individual

Follow the steps below when adding an SFU individual:

  1. Add the new member to the AU effective the month in which all eligibility requirements are met, but no earlier than the month following the month in which the change is reported.

  2. Add the new member’s income and resources and process any overpayments.

  3. Notify the AU of the change in benefit level.

Birth of a Child to a Minor Dependent Child

When a minor dependent child gives birth to her own child, add the child to the AU by following Steps 1-4 of the procedures for Birth of a Child to an Adult AU Member.

Birth of a Child to an Adult AU Member

Follow the steps below if a child is born to an adult AU member:

  1. Determine and document:

    • the date of birth of the child,

    • the date on which the change was reported to the agency,

    • the name of the child, and

    • all necessary information concerning the absent parent. See Section 1315, Deprivation.

  2. Establish that the child lives with the parent.

    The parent’s statement is acceptable verification.

  3. If deprivation is based on continued absence, then discuss and mail Form 138, Notice of Requirement to Cooperate and Right to Claim Good Cause for Refusal to Cooperate in Child Support Enforcement and Third-Party Resource Requirements

  4. Add the child to the AU following the procedures for Adding AU Member.

Absent Parent (AP) Returns Home

Follow the steps below if an absent parent returns to the AU:

  1. Determine and document the following:

    • the date on which the parent returned to the home

    • the date on which the change is reported to the agency

    • the name of the parent and information regarding basic eligibility criteria

    • the parent’s income and resource information.

  2. Determine the AU’s continuing eligibility based on deprivation caused by either the incapacity or recent connection to the workforce of a parent.

Follow the steps below if the AU remains eligible because of continued deprivation based on incapacity or recent connection to the workforce:

  1. Complete a trial budget to determine financial eligibility.

  2. Include the parent’s income and resources in the trial budget.

Follow the steps below if the AU remains eligible based on the trial budget:

  1. Add the parent’s income and resources effective the month following the months/he returned to the home.

  2. Add the parent to the AU effective the month following the month all points of his/her eligibility are met, but no sooner than the month following the month s/he returned to the home.

AP’s Return Causes AU’s Ineligibility

Follow the steps below if the AU is ineligible because deprivation no longer exists, or the trial budget shows financial ineligibility:

  1. Determine the AU’s eligibility for a three-month adjustment period (refer to Section1318, Incapacity.

  2. If the AU is eligible for an adjustment period, terminate cash assistance after the end of the adjustment period.

  3. If the AU is not eligible for an adjustment period, terminate cash assistance after giving timely notice.

  4. Determine if an overpayment exists and process accordingly.

AU Member is Disqualified due to an Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

Follow the steps below if an AU member is disqualified because s/he has committed an intentional program violation (IPV):

  1. Count the income and resources of the disqualified AU member. Apply earned income deductions to the earnings of the disqualified individual, if otherwise eligible to receive the deductions.

  2. Provide adequate notice to the AU prior to imposing the disqualification. Include in the notice the new benefit amount, the period of the disqualification, and information on Medicaid eligibility.

  3. Impose the IPV disqualification effective as early as the month following the month of the adequate notice, but no later than the first day of the second month following that notice.

  4. Add the disqualified individual to the AU the month after the disqualification period ends.

    Timely notice is not required when imposing an IPV disqualification.

AU Member Becomes SSI-Eligible

Follow the steps below if an AU member becomes eligible for SSI:

  1. Determine and document:

    • the name of the person receiving SSI,

    • the date on which SSI is approved,

    • the date on which the change is reported to the agency, and

    • the amount of the SSI benefit and whether RSDI is received.

  2. Determine if dependents of the SSI-eligible individual receive RSDI and if the SSI-eligible individual also receives RSDI.

  3. Make the SSI recipient ineligible effective the month following the month in which SSI was approved. Provide adequate notice.

    Do not consider in the budget any income or resources of the SSI individual.
SSA will contact the agency to determine the effective month of the removal of the SSI individual. SSA will budget TANF in the SSI budget until the effective month of removal. No OP should occur in the TANF case.

AU Member Leaves the AU

Follow the steps below if an AU member leaves the AU:

  1. Determine and document:

    • the name of the individual who left the AU,

    • the date on which the individual left the AU, and

    • the date on which the AU reported the change to the agency.

  2. Remove the individual and his/her income and resources effective the month following the month in which the change is reported, if removing the individual causes an increase in the AU’s grant amount,

  3. Remove the individual and his/her income and resources effective the month after the month the change occurred, if removing the individual causes a decrease in the AU’s grant amount. Provide timely notice unless a waiver is signed.

  4. Determine if an overpayment has occurred and process accordingly.

  5. Determine ongoing eligibility for the remaining AU members.

AU Member Marries

Follow the steps below if an AU member marries:

  1. Determine and document:

    • the date of marriage,

    • the relationship of all AU members to the new spouse, and

    • whether the new spouse is required to be included in the AU.

  2. Complete a trial budget to determine the AU’s ongoing eligibility, including the new spouse’s income, if the new spouse must be included in the AU.

  3. Complete a trial budget to determine ongoing eligibility, including the new spouse’s income, if the new spouse is a stepparent or the spouse of a minor in the AU.

Follow the steps below if the AU is ineligible based on the trial budget:

  1. Terminate cash assistance after allowing timely notice.

  2. Determine if an overpayment of cash assistance occurred, and process accordingly.

Follow the step below if the AU remains eligible based on the trial budget:

  1. Add the spouse to the AU and budget the new spouse’s earnings if the AU is eligible based on the trial budget.

AU Member Dies

Follow the steps below if an AU member is deceased:

  1. Determine and document:

    • name of the deceased

    • the date of death,

    • date reported to the agency

  2. Remove the individual and his/her income and resources effective the month following the month in which the change is reported, if removing the individual causes an increase in the AU’s grant amount,

  3. Remove the individual and his/her income and resources effective the month after the change occurred, if removing the individual causes a decrease in the AU’s grant amount.

  4. Determine if an overpayment has occurred and process accordingly.

  5. Determine ongoing eligibility for the remaining AU members.

When the deceased member is the head of the household, the change becomes effective the month after the individual became deceased. The entire case must close. Timely notice is not required. If the new parent caretaker with whom the children are living would like to receive TANF benefits, a new application must be submitted.

Loss of a Fetus

Follow the steps below if a pregnant AU member loses an unborn child:

  1. Determine and document:

    • number of fetuses lost

    • the date of the loss,

    • date reported to the agency

  2. Update the Pregnancy Details screen effective the month following the month in which the change is reported.

  3. Determine if an overpayment has occurred and process accordingly.

  4. Determine ongoing eligibility for the remaining AU members.