The state may set lower dollar amounts for total resources, funeral agreements, and the automobile, and may also exclude from consideration household necessities. Each state establishes its own payment standard to determine the assistance unit's benefit amount. The payment standard may be lower than the need standard and is generally the amount which the state actually pays to a family for assistance. The state determines the benefit amount by considering the countable income of all persons included in the assistance unit and applying it against the state's payment standard. Income disregarded in determining eligibility is also disregarded in calculating benefits.
All states have JOBS programs in place.
The program provides training, work experience, and education opportunities for AFDC recipients. Unless otherwise exempt, AFDC recipients are required to participate in JOBS as a condition of eligibility. The goal of JOBS is to promote self-sufficiency. All 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam participate in the AFDC program. American Samoa is authorized under the Family Support Act of 1988 to operate an AFDC program.