42 U.S.C. § 602 (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 602. Eligible States; State plan
(a) In general
As used in this part, the term “eligible State” means, with respect to a fiscal year, a State that, during the 27-month period ending with the close of the 1st quarter of the fiscal year, has submitted to the Secretary a plan that the Secretary has found includes the following:
(1) Outline of family assistance program
(A) General provisions
A written document that outlines how the State intends to do the following:
(i) Conduct a program, designed to serve all political subdivisions in the State (not necessarily in a uniform manner), that provides assistance to needy families with (or expecting) children and provides parents with job preparation, work, and support services to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient.
(ii) Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with section 607(e)(2) of this title.
(iii) Ensure that parents and caretakers receiving assistance under the program engage in work activities in accordance with section 607 of this title.
(iv) Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving assistance under the program attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government.
(v) Establish goals and take action to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies, and establish numerical goals for reducing the illegitimacy ratio of the State (as defined in section 603(a)(2)(C)(iii) 1 of this title) for calendar years 1996 through 2005.
(vi) Conduct a program, designed to reach State and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded in scope to include men.
(vii) 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 608(a)(12) of this title, including a plan to ensure that recipients of the assistance have adequate access to their cash assistance.
(viii) 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.
(B) Special provisions
(i) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to treat families moving into the State from another State differently than other families under the program, and if so, how the State intends to treat such families under the program.
(ii) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to provide assistance under the program to individuals who are not citizens of the United States, and if so, shall include an overview of such assistance.
(iii) The document shall set forth objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility and for fair and equitable treatment, including an explanation of how the State will provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State administrative or appeal process.
(iv) Not later than 1 year after August 22, 1996, unless the chief executive officer of the State opts out of this provision by notifying the Secretary, a State shall, consistent with the exception provided in section 607(e)(2) of this title, require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program who, after receiving such assistance for 2 months is not exempt from work requirements and is not engaged in work, as determined under section 607(c) of this title, to participate in community service employment, with minimum hours per week and tasks to be determined by the State.
(v) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to assist individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment—
(I) providing direct care in a long-term care facility (as such terms are defined under section 1397j of this title); or
(II) in other occupations related to elder care determined appropriate by the State for which the State identifies an unmet need for service personnel,
and, if so, shall include an overview of such assistance.
(2) Certification that the State will operate a child support enforcement program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a child support enforcement program under the State plan approved under part D.
(3) Certification that the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program under the State plan approved under part E, and that the State will take such actions as are necessary to ensure that children receiving assistance under such part are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under subchapter XIX.
(4) Certification of the administration of the program
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State specifying which State agency or agencies will administer and supervise the program referred to in paragraph (1) for the fiscal year, which shall include assurances that local governments and private sector organizations—
(A) have been consulted regarding the plan and design of welfare services in the State so that services are provided in a manner appropriate to local populations; and
(B) have had at least 45 days to submit comments on the plan and the design of such services.
(5) Certification that the State will provide Indians with equitable access to assistance
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will provide each member of an Indian tribe, who is domiciled in the State and is not eligible for assistance under a tribal family assistance plan approved under section 612 of this title, with equitable access to assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government.
(6) Certification of standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse
A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse, including standards and procedures concerning nepotism, conflicts of interest among individuals responsible for the administration and supervision of the State program, kickbacks, and the use of political patronage.
(7) Optional certification of standards and procedures to ensure that the State will screen for and identify domestic violence
(A) In general
At the option of the State, a certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to—
(i) screen and identify individuals receiving assistance under this part with a history of domestic violence while maintaining the confidentiality of such individuals;
(ii) refer such individuals to counseling and supportive services; and
(iii) waive, pursuant to a determination of good cause, other program requirements such as time limits (for so long as necessary) for individuals receiving assistance, residency requirements, child support cooperation requirements, and family cap provisions, in cases where compliance with such requirements would make it more difficult for individuals receiving assistance under this part to escape domestic violence or unfairly penalize such individuals who are or have been victimized by such violence, or individuals who are at risk of further domestic violence.
(B) “Domestic violence” defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “domestic violence” has the same meaning as the term “battered or subjected to extreme cruelty”, as defined in section 608(a)(7)(C)(iii) of this title.
(b) Plan amendments
Within 30 days after a State amends a plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a), the State shall notify the Secretary of the amendment.
(c) Public availability of State plan summary
The State shall make available to the public a summary of any plan or plan amendment submitted by the State under this section.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2113; amended Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §§ 5501, 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 606, 620; Pub. L. 106–169, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1858; Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6703(a)(2)(A), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 798; Pub. L. 112–96, title IV, § 4004(c), Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 198.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Section 603(a)(2) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(v), was amended generally by Pub. L. 109–171, title VII, § 7103(a), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 138, and, as so amended, no longer defines “illegitimacy ratio”.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 602, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 402, 49 Stat. 627; Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title IV, § 401, 53 Stat. 1379; Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 2, § 321, pt. 6, § 361(c), (d), 64 Stat. 549, 558; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, § 312(b), 70 Stat. 849; July 25, 1962, Pub. L. 87–543, title I, §§ 103, 104(a)(2), (3)(A), (B), (5)(A), 106(b), 76 Stat. 185, 188; July 30, 1965, Pub. L. 89–97, title IV, §§ 403(b), 410, 79 Stat. 418, 423; Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–248, title II, §§ 201(a), (b), 202(a), (b), 204(b), (e), 205(a), 210(a)(2), 211(a), 213(b), 81 Stat. 877, 879, 881, 890, 892, 895, 896, 898; Dec. 28, 1971, Pub. L. 92–223, § 3(a)(1)–(7), 85 Stat. 803, 804; Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 299E(c), title IV, § 414(a), 86 Stat. 1462, 1492; Jan. 4, 1975, Pub. L. 93–647, §§ 3(a)(1), (2), (8), 101(c)(2)–(5), (8), 88 Stat. 2348, 2349, 2359, 2360; Aug. 9, 1975, Pub. L. 94–88, title II, §§ 202, 207, 208(a), 209, 89 Stat. 434, 436, 437; Dec. 20, 1977, Pub. L. 95–216, title IV, § 403(c), 91 Stat. 1561; Apr. 1, 1980, Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(2)(A), 94 Stat. 195; June 9, 1980, Pub. L. 96–265, title IV, §§ 401(a)–(f), 403(a), 406(b), 94 Stat. 460–462, 465, 466; June 17, 1980, Pub. L. 96–272, title I, § 101(a)(3)(A), title III, § 302(a), 94 Stat. 512, 528; Oct. 19, 1980, Pub. L. 96–473, § 6(f), 94 Stat. 2266; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXIII, §§ 2301–2306(a), 2310, 2313(b), (c)(1), 2314, 2315(a), 2316, 2318, 2320(a), (b)(1), 2353(b)(1), (c), 95 Stat. 843–846, 852, 854–857, 872; Sept. 3, 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 151(a), 152(a), 154(a), 96 Stat. 395, 396; Oct. 13, 1982, Pub. L. 97–300, title VI, § 603, formerly title V, § 503, 96 Stat. 1398, renumbered title VI, § 603, Nov. 7, 1988, Pub. L. 100–628, title VII, § 712(a)(1), (2), 102 Stat. 3248; Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 545(b), 96 Stat. 2198; Apr. 20, 1983, Pub. L. 98–21, title IV, § 404(b), 97 Stat. 140; July 18, 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §§ 2621–2624(a), 2625(a), 2626, 2628, 2629, 2631–2634, 2636, 2639(a), (c), 2640(a), (c), 2642(a), (b), 2651(b)(1), (2), 2663(c)(1), (3)(B), (l)(1), 98 Stat. 1134–1137, 1141, 1142, 1144–1146, 1149, 1165, 1166, 1171; Aug. 16, 1984, Pub. L. 98–378, § 9(a)(2), 98 Stat. 1316; Apr. 7, 1986, Pub. L. 99–272, title XII, §§ 12303(a), 12304(a), 100 Stat. 292; Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, title XVIII, § 1883(a)(5)(B), (b)(1)(A), (2)(A), (B), (3)(A), (4), (5), 100 Stat. 2095, 2916, 2917; Nov. 6, 1986, Pub. L. 99–603, title II, § 201(b)(1), title III, §§ 302(b)(1), 303(e)(1), 100 Stat. 3403, 3422, 3431; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §§ 9102(b), 9133(b)(1), 101 Stat. 1330–300, 1330–314; Oct. 13, 1988, Pub. L. 100–485, title I, §§ 102(a), 123(d), title II, §§ 201(a), 202(b)(1)–(3), title III, §§ 301, 302(a), (b)(1), (c), 303(b)(3), (f)(2)(B), (C), 304(b)(2), title IV, §§ 401(a)(1), (2)(A), (b)(2), (f), (h), 402(a)–(c), 403(a), 404(a), title VI, §§ 604(a), 605(a), 102 Stat. 2346, 2353, 2356, 2377, 2382–2384, 2392, 2393, 2395–2398, 2409; Dec. 19, 1989, Pub. L. 101–239, title X, § 10403(a)(1)(B)(i), (C)(i), 103 Stat. 2487; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–508, title V, §§ 5051(a), (b), 5053(a), 5054(a), 5055(a), 5060(a), 5081(a), (c), (d), title XI, § 11115(a), 104 Stat. 1388–227 to 1388–229, 1388–231, 1388–233, 1388–236, 1388–414; Aug. 10, 1993, Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13742(a), 107 Stat. 663; Oct. 20, 1994, Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 394(k), 108 Stat. 4029; Oct. 31, 1994, Pub. L. 103–432, title II, §§ 235(a), 264(c), 108 Stat. 4466, 4468; Aug. 22, 1996, Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(c)(1), (2)(A), 110 Stat. 2161, related to State plans for aid and services to needy families with children prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620, effective July 1, 1997.
heading: Amendments
text: 2012—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(vii), (viii). Pub. L. 112–96 added cls. (vii) and (viii).
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(v). Pub. L. 111–148 added cl. (v).
1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 106–169 made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 22, 1996.
1997—Pub. L. 105–33, § 5514(c), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), which enacted this section.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–33, § 5501(a), substituted “27-month period ending with the close of the 1st quarter of” for “2-year period immediately preceding” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 105–33, § 5501(b), inserted “, consistent with section 607(e)(2) of this title” before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(v). Pub. L. 105–33, § 5501(c), substituted “section 603(a)(2)(C)(iii)” for “section 603(a)(2)(B)”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–33, § 5501(d)(1), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–34, § 5501(d)(2), inserted “or plan amendment” after “plan”.
Pub. L. 105–33, § 5501(d)(1), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6703(a)(2)(B), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 798, provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 2011.”
heading: Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 106–169, title IV, § 401(q), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1859, provided that: “Except as provided in subsection (l) [amending section 604 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 604 of this title], the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 604, 609, 613, 616, 629a, 652, 654, 655, 657, 666, 671, and 1320b–7 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–193; 110 Stat. 2105).”
heading: Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 5514(c) of Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in the provision of Pub. L. 104–193 amended at the time the provision became law, see section 5518(d) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 862a of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5518(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 621, provided that: “The amendments made by this chapter to a provision of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [chapter 1 (§§ 5501–5518) of subtitle F of title V of Pub. L. 105–33, amending this section and sections 603, 604, 607, 608, 609, 611, 612, 613, and 616 of this title] shall take effect as if the amendments had been included in section 103(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104–193] at the time such section became law.”
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as a note under section 601 of this title.
heading: Demonstration of Family Independence Program
text: Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, § 9121, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–310, authorized State of Washington, upon application of State and approval by Secretary of Health and Human Services, to conduct demonstration project for purpose of testing whether operation of its Family Independence Program enacted in May 1987, as alternative to AFDC program under this subchapter, would more effectively break the cycle of poverty and provide families with opportunities for economic independence and strengthened family functioning, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(b), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2171.
heading: Child Support Demonstration Program in New York State
text: Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, § 9122, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–312, authorized State of New York, upon application by State and approval by Secretary of Health and Human Services, to conduct demonstration program in accordance with this section for purpose of testing State’s Child Support Supplemental Program as alternative to the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children under this subchapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(c), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2171.
heading: Utility Payments Made by Tenants in Assisted Housing
text: Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title II, § 221], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1188, as amended by Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 102(g)(3), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2222, provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of determining eligibility, or amount of benefits payable, under this part, any utility payment made in lieu of any rental payment by person living in dwelling unit in lower income housing project assisted under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) or section 1715z–1 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, was to be considered to be shelter payment, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(d), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2171.
heading: Exclusion From Income
text: Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 159, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 400, provided that payments made under statutorily established State program to meet certain needs of children receiving aid under State’s plan approved under this part were to be excluded from income of such children and their families for purposes of section 602(a)(17) of this title and for all other purposes of this part and of such plan, effective Sept. 3, 1982, if the payments were made to such children by State agency administering such plan, but were made without Federal financial participation under section 603(a) of this title or otherwise, and if State program had been continuously in effect since before Jan. 1, 1979, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(e), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2171.
heading: State Plans To Disregard Earned Income of Individuals in Determination of Need for Aid; Effective Date
text: Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 202(d), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 882, provided that effective with respect to quarters beginning after June 30, 1968, in determining need of individuals claiming aid under State plan approved under this part, State was to apply provisions of this part notwithstanding any provisions of law other than this chapter requiring State to disregard earned income of such individuals in determining need under such State plan, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(f), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2171.