A recipient budget group (see Cash Assistance Handbook 110.1) with a striking member may keep getting TANF benefits or may ask for benefits to stop.
If the budget group member who is on strike is a parent or the only TANF child and the budget group chooses to get benefits during the month, the CAO must consider the entire monthly assistance payment an overpayment.
The group stays ineligible when the budget group member is on strike on the last day of any following calendar months.
Examples:
Mr. And Mrs. Wells get TANF benefits for themselves and their children. Mr. Wells has been on strike since July 14 and is still on strike through September 1. The CAO processes an overpayment for benefits received for July 1 through July 31 and for August 1 through August 31. If Mr. Wells is still on strike on September 30, the entire budget group remains ineligible.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs and their children get TANF benefits. Mrs. Briggs is on strike effective July 21. She is still on strike on August 1. On August 29, Mrs. Briggs returns to work. An overpayment referral is made for July 1 through July 31. The CAO does not make an August overpayment referral, because Mrs. Briggs was not on strike August 31.
If the budget group member who is on strike is not a biological or adoptive parent or the sole TANF child, only that member is ineligible for the month and for each following month that the individual is on strike on the last day of the month. If the individual was in the monthly assistance payment for that month, the individual's share of the TANF benefits must be recovered.
The ineligible member may keep getting benefits or ask for benefits to stop.
Example: Ms. Book gets TANF benefits for herself and her three grandchildren. Ms. Book goes on strike June 21. The CAO verifies that Ms. Book is still on strike the last day of the month. The CAO submits an overpayment referral for Ms. Book's share of the monthly assistance payment for June. Ms. Book is ineligible for any following months in which she is on strike on the last day of the calendar month. The three children get TANF benefits as long as they meet TANF criteria.
Revised June 25, 2024, replacing July 30, 2013