Title 45—Public Welfare--Volume 1
PART 265—DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
§ 265.1   What does this part cover?
(a) This part explains how we will collect the information required by section 411(a) of the Act (data collection and reporting); the information required to implement section 407 of the Act (work participation requirements), as authorized by section 411(a)(1)(A)(xii); the information required to implement section 409 (penalties), section 403 (grants to States), section 405 (administrative provisions), section 411(b) (report to Congress), and section 411(f) (reporting performance indicators); and the data necessary to carry out our financial management and oversight responsibilities.
(b) This part describes the information in the quarterly and annual reports that each State must file, as follows:
(1) The case record information (disaggregated and aggregated) on individuals and families in the quarterly TANF Data Report;
(2) The expenditure data in the quarterly TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report);
(3) The definitions and other information on the State's TANF and MOE programs that must be filed annually;
(4) The definitions and other information necessary for the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report; and
(5) The definitions and other information necessary for the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate.
(c) If a State claims MOE expenditures under a separate State program(s), this part describes the case record information (disaggregated and aggregated) on individuals and families in the quarterly SSP-MOE Data Report that each State must file.
(d) This part describes when reports are due, how we will determine if reporting requirements have been met, and how we will apply the statutory penalty for failure to file a timely report. It also specifies electronic filing and sampling requirements.
§ 265.2   What definitions apply to this part?
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section, the general TANF definitions at §§ 260.30 through 260.33 and the definitions of a work-eligible individual and the work activities in § 261.2 of this chapter apply to this part.
(b) For data collection and reporting purposes only, family means:
(1) All individuals receiving assistance as part of a family under the State's TANF or separate State program (including noncustodial parents, where required under § 265.5(g)); and
(2) The following additional persons living in the household, if not included under paragraph (b)(1) of this section:
(i) Parent(s) or caretaker relative(s) of any minor child receiving assistance;
(ii) Minor siblings of any child receiving assistance; and
(iii) Any person whose income or resources would be counted in determining the family's eligibility for or amount of assistance.
(c) For purposes of the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report and the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate, exit is the date that a family with a work-eligible individual ceases to receive assistance (as defined in § 260.31) from the TANF program. The last day of assistance cannot be determined until 90 days have elapsed since the participant last received assistance.
(d) For purposes of the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report, unsubsidized employment means full- or part-time employment in the private or public sector after exiting the TANF program.
(e) For purposes of the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate:
(1) A secondary school diploma is a “regular high school diploma” as that term is defined in 21 U.S.C. 7801(43), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
(2) A recognized equivalent to a secondary school diploma is a certification recognized by a State that signifies that a student has completed the State's requirements for a high school education.
§ 265.3   What reports must the State file on a quarterly basis?
(a) Quarterly reports. (1) Each State must collect on a monthly basis, and file on a quarterly basis, the data specified in the TANF Data Report, the TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report), and the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report.
(2) Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) must collect on a monthly basis, and file on a quarterly basis, the data specified in the SSP-MOE Data Report.
(b) TANF Data Report. The TANF Data Report consists of four sections. Two sections contain disaggregated data elements and two sections contain aggregated data elements.
(1) Disaggregated Data on Families Receiving TANF Assistance—Section one. Each State must file disaggregated information on families receiving TANF assistance. This section specifies identifying and demographic data such as the individual's Social Security Number and information such as the amount of assistance received, educational level, employment status, work participation activities, citizenship status, and earned and unearned income. The data must be provided for both adults and children.
(2) Disaggregated Data on Families No Longer Receiving TANF Assistance—Section two. Each State must file disaggregated information on families no longer receiving TANF assistance. This section specifies the reasons for case closure and data similar to the data required in section one.
(3) Aggregated Data—Section three. Each State must file aggregated information on families receiving, applying for, and no longer receiving TANF assistance. This section of the TANF Data Report requires aggregate figures in such areas as: The number of applications received and their disposition; the number of recipient families, adult recipients, and child recipients; the number of births and out-of-wedlock births for families receiving TANF assistance; the number of noncustodial parents participating in work activities; and the number of closed cases.
(4) Aggregated Caseload Data by Stratum—Section four. Each State that opts to use a stratified sample to report the quarterly TANF disaggregated data must file the monthly caseload data by stratum for each month in the quarter.
(c) The TANF Financial Report (or Territorial Financial Report). (1) Each State must file quarterly expenditure data on the State's use of Federal TANF funds, State TANF expenditures, and State expenditures of MOE funds in separate State programs.
(2) If a State is expending Federal TANF funds received in prior fiscal years, it must file a separate quarterly TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, Territorial Financial Report) for each fiscal year that provides information on the expenditures of that year's TANF funds.
(3) Territories must report their expenditure and other fiscal data on the Territorial Financial Report, as provided at § 264.85 of this chapter, in lieu of the TANF Financial Report.
(d) SSP-MOE Data Report. The SSP-MOE Data Report consists of four sections. Two sections contain disaggregated data elements and two sections contain aggregated data elements.
(1) Disaggregated Data on Families Receiving SSP-MOE Assistance—Section one. Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) must file disaggregated information on families receiving SSP-MOE assistance. This section specifies identifying and demographic data such as the individual's Social Security Number, the amount of assistance received, educational level, employment status, work participation activities, citizenship status, and earned and unearned income. The data must be provided for both adults and children.
(2) Disaggregated Data on Families No Longer Receiving SSP-MOE Assistance—Section two. Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) must file disaggregated information on families no longer receiving SSP-MOE assistance. This section specifies the reasons for case closure and data similar to the data required in section one.
(3) Aggregated Data—Section three. Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) must file aggregated information on families receiving and no longer receiving SSP-MOE assistance. This section of the SSP-MOE Data Report requires aggregate figures in such areas as: The number of recipient families, adult recipients, and child recipients; the total amount of assistance for families receiving SSP-MOE assistance; the number of non-custodial parents participating in work activities; and the number of closed cases.
(4) Aggregated Caseload Data by Stratum—Section four. Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) and that opts to use a stratified sample to report the SSP-MOE quarterly disaggregated data must file the monthly caseload by stratum for each month in the quarter.
(e) Optional data elements. A State has the option not to report on some data elements for some individuals in the TANF Data Report and the SSP-MOE Data Report, as specified in the instructions to these reports.
(f) Non-custodial parents. A State must report information on a non-custodial parent (as defined in § 260.30 of this chapter) if the non-custodial parent:
(1) Is receiving assistance as defined in § 260.31 of this chapter;
(2) Is participating in work activities as defined in section 407(d) of the Act; or
(3) Has been designated by the State as a member of a family receiving assistance.
(g) Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report. Each State must file the Social Security numbers of all work-eligible individuals, as defined in § 261.2(n), who have exited the program, as defined in § 265.2(b). This information will be used for calculating the following Work Outcomes performance indicators:
(1) Employment Rate—2nd Quarter After Exit: the percentage of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who are employed during the second quarter after the exit;
(2) Employment Retention Rate—4th Quarter After Exit: the percentage of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program who were employed in the second quarter after the exit, who are also employed during the fourth quarter after the exit; and
(3) Median Earnings—2nd Quarter After Exit: the median earnings of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who are employed during the second quarter after the exit.
§ 265.4   When are quarterly reports due?
(a) Each State must file the TANF Data Report and the TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report) within 45 days following the end of the quarter or be subject to a penalty.
(b) Each State that claims MOE expenditures for a separate State program(s) must file the SSP-MOE Data Report within 45 days following the end of the quarter or be subject to a penalty.
(c) A State that fails to submit the reports within 45 days will be subject to a penalty unless the State files complete and accurate reports before the end of the fiscal quarter that immediately succeeds the quarter for which the reports were required to be submitted.
(d) Each State must file the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report within 45 days following the end of the quarter.
§ 265.5   May States use sampling?
(a) Each State may report the disaggregated data in the TANF Data Report and the SSP-MOE Data Report on all recipient families or on a sample of families selected through the use of a scientifically acceptable sampling method that we have approved. States may use sampling to generate certain aggregated data elements as identified in the instructions to the reports.
(b) “Scientifically acceptable sampling method” means:
(1) A probability sampling method in which every sampling unit in the population has a known, non-zero chance to be included in the sample; and
(2) Our sample size requirements are met.
(c) In reporting data based on sampling, the State must follow the specifications and procedures in the TANF Sampling Manual.
(d) States may not use sampling to report expenditure data, data included in the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report, or data included in the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate.
§ 265.6   Must States file reports electronically?
Each State must file all reports ( i.e., the TANF Data Report, the TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report), the SSP-MOE Data Report, the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report, and the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate) electronically, based on format specifications that we will provide.
§ 265.7   How will we determine if the State is meeting the quarterly reporting requirements?
(a) Each State's quarterly reports (the TANF Data Report, the TANF Financial Report (or Territorial Financial Report), the SSP-MOE Data Report, and the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report) must be complete and accurate and filed by the due date.
(b) For a disaggregated data report, “a complete and accurate report” means that:
(1) The reported data accurately reflect information available to the State in case records, financial records, and automated data systems, and include correction of the quarterly data by the end of the fiscal year reporting period;
(2) The data are free from computational errors and are internally consistent (e.g., items that should add to totals do so);
(3) The State reports data for all required elements (i.e., no data are missing);
(4)(i) The State provides data on all families; or
(ii) If the State opts to use sampling, the State reports data on all families selected in a sample that meets the specification and procedures in the TANF Sampling Manual (except for families listed in error); and
(5) Where estimates are necessary (e.g., some types of assistance may require cost estimates), the State uses reasonable methods to develop these estimates.
(c) For an aggregated data report, “a complete and accurate report” means that:
(1) The reported data accurately reflect information available to the State in case records, financial records, and automated data systems;
(2) The data are free from computational errors and are internally consistent (e.g., items that should add to totals do so);
(3) The State reports data on all applicable elements; and
(4) Monthly totals are unduplicated counts for all families (e.g., the number of families and the number of out-of-wedlock births are unduplicated counts).
(d) For the TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report), “a complete and accurate report” means that:
(1) The reported data accurately reflect information available to the State in case records, financial records, and automated data systems;
(2) The data are free from computational errors and are internally consistent (e.g., items that should add to totals do so);
(3) The State reports data on all applicable elements; and
(4) All expenditures have been made in accordance with § 75.302(a) of this title.
(e) For the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report, “complete and accurate report” means that:
(1) The reported data accurately reflect information available to the State in case records, and automated data systems;
(2) The State reports data on all applicable elements ( i.e., no data are missing); and
(3) The State reports universe data on all work eligible individuals who exited TANF in a particular quarter.
(f) We will review the data filed in the quarterly reports to determine if they meet these standards. In addition, we will use audits and reviews to verify the accuracy of the data filed by the States.
(g) States must maintain records to adequately support any report, in accordance with §§ 75.361 through 75.370 of this title.
§ 265.8   Under what circumstances will we take action to impose a reporting penalty for failure to submit quarterly and annual reports?
(a) We will take action to impose a reporting penalty under § 262.1(a)(3) of this chapter if:
(1) A State fails to file the quarterly TANF Data Report, the quarterly TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report), or the quarterly SSP-MOE Data Report (if applicable) within 45 days of the end of the quarter;
(2) The disaggregated data in the TANF Data Report or the SSP-MOE Data Report are not accurate or a report does not include all the data required by section 411(a) of the Act (other than section 411(a)(1)(A)(xii) of the Act) or the nine additional elements necessary to carry out the data collection system requirements, including the social security number;
(3) The aggregated data elements in the TANF Data Report or the SSP-MOE Data Report required by section 411(a) of the Act are not accurate and the report does not include the data elements necessary to carry out the data collection system requirements and to verify and validate the disaggregated data;
(4) The TANF Financial Report (or, as applicable, the Territorial Financial Report) does not contain complete and accurate information on total expenditures and expenditures on administrative costs and transitional services; or
(5) The annual report under § 265.9 does not contain the description of transitional services provided by a State to families no longer receiving assistance due to employment.
(b) If we determine that a State meets one or more of the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, we will notify the State that we intend to reduce the SFAG payable for the immediately succeeding fiscal year.
(c) We will not impose the penalty at § 262.1(a)(3) of this chapter if the State files the complete and accurate quarterly report or the annual report before the end of the fiscal quarter that immediately succeeds the fiscal quarter for which the reports were required.
(d) If the State does not file all reports as provided under paragraph (a) of this section by the end of the immediately succeeding fiscal quarter, the penalty provisions of §§ 262.4 through 262.6 of this chapter will apply.
(e) Subject to paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section and §§ 262.4 through 262.6 of this chapter, for each quarter for which a State fails to meet the reporting requirements, we will reduce the SFAG payable by an amount equal to four percent of the adjusted SFAG (or a lesser amount if the State achieves substantial compliance under a corrective compliance plan).
§ 265.9   What information must the State file annually?
(a) Each State must file an annual report containing information on the TANF program and the State's MOE program(s) for that year. The report may be filed as:
(1) An addendum to the fourth quarter TANF Data Report; or
(2) A separate annual report.
(b) Each State must provide the following information on the TANF program:
(1) The State's definition of each work activity;
(2) A description of the transitional services provided to families no longer receiving assistance due to employment;
(3) A description of how a State will reduce the amount of assistance payable to a family when an individual refuses to engage in work without good cause pursuant to § 261.14 of this chapter;
(4) The average monthly number of payments for child care services made by the State through the use of disregards, by the following types of child care providers:
(i) Licensed/regulated in-home child care;
(ii) Licensed/regulated family child care;
(iii) Licensed/regulated group home child care;
(iv) Licensed/regulated center-based child care;
(v) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) in-home child care provided by a nonrelative;
(vi) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) in-home child care provided by a relative;
(vii) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) family child care provided by a nonrelative;
(viii) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) family child care provided by a relative;
(ix) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) group child care provided by a nonrelative;
(x) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) group child care provided by a relative; and
(xi) Legally operated (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) center-based child care;
(5) If the State has adopted the Family Violence Option and wants Federal recognition of its good cause domestic violence waivers under subpart B of part 260 of this chapter, a description of the strategies and procedures in place to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive appropriate alternative services and an aggregate figure for the total number of good cause domestic waivers granted;
(6) A description of any nonrecurrent, short-term benefits provided, including:
(i) The eligibility criteria associated with such benefits, including any restrictions on the amount, duration, or frequency of payments;
(ii) Any policies that limit such payments to families that are eligible for TANF assistance or that have the effect of delaying or suspending a family's eligibility for assistance; and
(iii) Any procedures or activities developed under the TANF program to ensure that individuals diverted from assistance receive information about, referrals to, or access to other program benefits (such as Medicaid and food stamps) that might help them make the transition from welfare to work;
(7) A description of the procedures the State has established and is maintaining to resolve displacement complaints, pursuant to section 407(f)(3) of the Act. This description must include the name of the State agency with the lead responsibility for administering this provision and explanations of how the State has notified the public about these procedures and how an individual can register a complaint;
(8) A summary of State programs and activities directed at the third and fourth statutory purposes of TANF (as specified at § 260.20(c) and (d) of this chapter); and
(9) An estimate of the total number of individuals who have participated in subsidized employment under § 261.30(b) or (c) of this chapter.
(10) A comprehensive description of the state's policies and practices to prevent assistance (defined at § 260.31(a) of this chapter) provided with federal TANF or state TANF MOE funds from being used in any electronic benefit transfer transaction in any: liquor store; casino, gambling casino or gaming establishment; or retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment. Reports must address:
(i) Procedures for preventing the use of TANF assistance via electronic benefit transfer transactions in any liquor store; any casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment ; and any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment;
(ii) How the state identifies the locations specified in the statute;
(iii) Procedures for ongoing monitoring to ensure policies are being carried out as intended; and
(iv) How the state responds to findings of non-compliance or program ineffectiveness.
(11) The state's TANF Plan must describe how the state will:
(i) Implement policies and procedures as necessary to prevent access to assistance provided under the State program funded under this part through any electronic fund transaction in an automated teller machine or point-of-sale device located in a place described in section 408(a)(12) of the Act, including a plan to ensure that recipients of the assistance have adequate access to their cash assistance; and
(ii) Ensure that recipients of assistance provided under the State program funded under this part have access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal fees or charges, including an opportunity to access assistance with no fee or charges, and are provided information on applicable fees and surcharges that apply to electronic fund transactions involving the assistance, and that such information is made publicly available.
(c) Each State must provide the following information on the State's program(s) for which the State claims MOE expenditures:
(1) The name of each program and a description of the major activities provided to eligible families under each such program;
(2) Each program's statement of purpose;
(3) If applicable, a description of the work activities in each separate State MOE program in which eligible families are participating;
(4) For each program, both the total annual State expenditures and the total annual State expenditures claimed as MOE;
(5) For each program, the average monthly total number or the total number of eligible families served for which the State claims MOE expenditures as of the end of the fiscal year;
(6) The eligibility criteria for the families served under each program/activity;
(7) A statement whether the program/activity had been previously authorized and allowable as of August 21, 1996, under section 403 of prior law;
(8) The FY 1995 State expenditures for each program/activity not authorized and allowable as of August 21, 1996, under section 403 of prior law (see § 263.5(b) of this chapter); and
(9) A certification that those families for which the State is claiming MOE expenditures met the State's criteria for “eligible families.
(d) If the State has submitted the information required in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section in the State Plan, it may meet the annual reporting requirements by reference in lieu of re-submission. If the information in the annual report has not changed since the previous annual report, the State may reference this information in lieu of re-submission.
(e) If a State makes a substantive change in certain data elements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, it must file a copy of the change with the next quarterly data report or as an amendment to its State Plan. The State must also indicate the effective date of the change. This requirement is applicable to the following data elements:
(1) Paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section; and
(2) Paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(6), (c)(7), and (c)(8) of this section.
(f) Each State must submit the percentage of individuals who have not attained 24 years of age, are attending high school or enrolled in an equivalency program, and are work-eligible individuals or were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who obtain a high school degree or its recognized equivalent while receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part or within one year after the individuals exit from the program. The Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate report must include methodology and documentation of data sources.
(g) On a voluntary basis, a State may also submit calculated work outcomes measures that follow the definitions of the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters (as defined in § 265.3(g)) based on alternative data sources. The report must include documentation of data sources. In addition to the Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report, this Supplemental Work Outcomes Report is mandatory for any State that is unable to submit quarterly wage data to the ACF-designated wage match source.
§ 265.10   When are the annual reports due?
The annual reports required by § 265.9 are due 45 days after the end of the fiscal year.