TANF, formerly known as the AFDC program, is funded via a block grant to the states by Public Law 104-193. Texas is continuing to monitor payment accuracy for TANF as part of DHS commitment to overall program integrity. Findings are reported back to the Texas Works advisor for appropriate case action. Criteria were developed to identify households appropriate for shorter certifications. A report is produced and sent to the field each month for clearance of the match.
Staff take the appropriate action to deny or reduce benefits and submit overpayment referrals.
Data matching with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice began in January 1997. Each quarter, these states produce a tape of individuals receiving benefits in that state. A separate report is produced and sent to the field each quarter for each of the border states for clearance. Arkansas has notified Texas that because of millennium conversion priorities, they will not be able to develop on a match until FY 2000. In today s environment where extensive amounts of both personal and financial data are stored in databases, the use of Data Broker technology has the potential to reduce client fraud and client failure to report errors.