Temporary Cash Assistance Application Instructions
Apply Online
If you are looking to apply online for Temporary Cash Assistance, you can do so by visiting the Department of Children and Families Access Florida website.
You will find the link to apply for benefits on the website. Click the link and you will be able to apply for Cash Assistance, Medicaid, and Food Stamps through the same link.
You can also go through prescreening in order to see if you qualify for the program or not. You can use THIS link to go review TCA facts.
Apply in Person
You can easily apply in-person by contacting Social Security Office. You can also apply by calling at 1-866-762-2237 and requesting a form by snail mail. Once you have the form and brochure, you can follow rest of the process. However, you should consider applying online since it is not just easy but it has many features available like Electronic Funds Transfer, completing incomplete application etc.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive benefits under TCA, one has to meet all the qualifications. Here are some basic qualifications in order to receive benefits through TCA.
Time Limits
For child only cases, TCA program has no time limit for benefits. However, cash assistance is limited to 48 months during lifetime of an adult.
Work Rules
Most people applying for TCA will have to do work or register with Regional Workforce Boards in order to receive benefits. However, some applicants may not be required to work, such as pregnant woman.
Some individuals may have exemption from work eligibility:
- Individuals with a child under three months of age
- Individuals receiving benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI
- Federal regulations provides definition for people being not work eligible. Individuals falling within this definition will be exempted from work eligibility for Temporary Cash Assistance program.
Income and Deducations
To receive benefits under TCA program, applicants will have to have gross income less than 185% of the federal poverty level. On the other hand, the countable income should not be greater than the payment standard according to the size of family applying for benefits.
Applicants will get $90 deduction from their gross earned income before they calculate income for the purpose of TCA program.
Citizenship
Only U.S. citizens will be able to receive benefits under TCA program. However, qualified non-residents will also be able to receive benefits under TCA in most cases.
Resources
A family applying for TCA benefits will have to have resources below or equal to $2,000. Some resources are exempt for the purpose of resources eligibility for TCA program. However, applicants needing a vehicle for the purpose of work should ensure that value of their vehicle is less than $8,500.
Social Security Number
All the members of household must provide social security number. In case of underage children, applicants will have to prove that they have applied for social security number.
Residency
Applicants should be residents of Florida in order to receive benefits under TCA program.
Relationship
In order to receive benefits under TCA, a child must be living with parents or in a home maintained by a blood relative.
Child Support Cooperation
Parents will have to ensure that they are cooperating with child support. Child support cooperation will require establishing the identity of children's parents in case they do not live with their children. Relatives or caretakers applying for TCA for children will have to ensure that they are helping child support cooperation in all such affairs.
Attending school
Children between the age of 6 and 18 will have to attend school so that their household can receive benefits under the TCA program. Parents of such children should attend school conferences in order to qualify for benefits under TCA.
Families receiving benefits from TCA program will have to show responsibility with new births. With one more child born to the family, only half of the normal increased income. With a second child born to the family, TCA benefits will not be permitted for that child.