Missouri Senate

Senate Substitute

FULL FAMILY IMMEDIATE SANCTION (Section 208.026)

This act requires the Department of Social Services to conduct an investigation and determine if a person is cooperating with a work activity requirement under the TANF program. If the person is non-compliant, a representative of the Department shall conduct a face-to-face meeting and explain the potential sanction of TANF benefits, as well as the requirements to cure such a sanction. The TANF recipient shall then have six weeks to comply with the work activity requirement. Failure to do so will result in a sanction consisting of a 50% reduction of benefits for a maximum of ten weeks. During that period of sanctions, the person shall remain on the caseload in sanction status. To cure a sanction, the person shall perform work activities for a minimum average of 30 hours per week for one month. If the person does not cure the sanction, the case shall be closed. This act allows for the person to reapply for benefits by completing work activities for a minimum average of 30 hours per week within one month of the eligibility interview.

LIFE-TIME LIMITS, CASH DIVERSION, DANGEROUS FELONIES, WORK REQUIREMENT (208.026.2 & 208.040.5)

Beginning January 1, 2016, the following changes shall be made to the TANF program:

(1) The life-time limit for TANF shall be 48 months. This limit shall not apply to minors and those families qualifying for a hardship exemption;

(2) The Department shall implement a cash diversion program that grants eligible TANF benefits recipients lump-sum cash grants for short-term needs, as well as job referrals or referrals to career centers, in lieu of signing up for the long-term monthly cash assistance program upon a showing of good cause. This lump sum benefit shall not apply toward the life-time TANF benefits limit. Good cause may include loss of employment, excluding a voluntary quit or dismissal due to poor job performance; catastrophic illness; domestic violence; or other emergencies rendering a family member unable to care for the basic needs of the family. The lump-sum maximum limit shall be set at three times the family size allowance and for use once in a 12-month period and for only five instances in a lifetime; and

(3) Persons seeking benefits will be required to engage in work activities before becoming eligible.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (208.244.1)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allows states with a certain level of unemployment to seek a waiver of the work requirement for assistance. Missouri currently has such a waiver. Beginning January 1, 2016, this act removes the waiver and reinstates the work requirements.

APPLICATION OF SAVINGS (208.244.2)

Any savings resulting from the changes to TANF and SNAP under this act shall be used to provide child care assistance for single parents, education assistance, transportation assistance, and job training for individuals receiving benefits under the programs as allowable under law.

ANNUAL REPORT (208.244.3)

The Department of Social Services shall make an annual report to the Joint Committee on Government Accountability on the progress of implementation and include specified data. The Joint Committee shall meet at least once a year to review the report and make recommendations to the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

SARAH HASKINS