Texas Administrative Code › Title 1 - ADMINISTRATION › Part 15 - TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 372 - TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS › Subchapter A - OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE › Section 372.2 - Definitions

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter,
					 have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
					 otherwise:
(1) Authorized
				  representative--In the TANF Program, a person whom the certified group
				  authorizes to apply for or manage the TANF benefits on behalf of the certified
				  group but who is not included in the certified group. In SNAP, a person whom
				  the household authorizes to apply for or manage the SNAP benefits on behalf of
				  the household. References in this chapter to a certified group, client, or
				  household include an authorized representative, unless the context indicates
				  otherwise.
(2) Budgetary needs
				  amount--In the TANF Program, a set dollar amount that represents the monthly
				  amount needed by the certified group to pay for food, clothing, housing,
				  utilities, and incidental expenses (which include day-to-day transportation,
				  telephone, laundry, unreimbursed medical expenses, recreation, and household
				  supplies).
(3) Caretaker--In the
				  TANF Program, a person who cares for a dependent child, who meets relationship
				  requirements in §
										RSA
				  372.108 of this chapter (relating to
				  Relationship Requirement), whom the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
				  (HHSC) includes in the certified group, and who ordinarily receives and manages
				  the TANF benefits for the certified group.
(4) Certified group--The person or group of
				  relatives whose needs HHSC includes together in a TANF case.
(5) CFR--The Code of Federal
				  Regulations.
(6) Child--A person
				  under 18 years of age. In the TANF Program, a child also includes a person
				  under 19 years of age as long as the person is a full-time student in a
				  secondary school (or participant in an equivalent vocational or technical
				  training program) and the person is reasonably expected to complete the school
				  (or the training) before the person's 19th birthday.
(7) Choices--The TANF employment and training
				  program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
(8) Client--In the TANF Program, the member
				  of the certified group who receives benefits for the certified group. In SNAP,
				  the member of the household who receives benefits for the household.
(9) Dependent child--In the TANF Program, a
				  child as described in the Texas Human Resources Code, §
										RSA
				  31.002(b). The
				  term also means a child who has been deprived of parental support because of
				  the death, absence, or incapacity of a parent who does not have enough income
				  or resources for a reasonable subsistence compatible with health and safety,
				  and who is living with a caretaker.
(10) Fair market value--The amount of money
				  an item would bring if sold in the current local market.
(11) Family--A group of relatives living
				  together who meet the relationship requirements in §
										RSA
				  372.108 of this chapter.
(12) Federal Poverty Guidelines--The
				  household income guidelines issued annually and published in the Federal
				  Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Percentages of
				  these guidelines are used to determine income eligibility for TANF, SNAP, and
				  certain other public assistance programs.
(13) Household--The person or persons whose
				  needs HHSC includes in a SNAP case for benefits. In the TANF Program, the
				  family members who live together.
(14) Parent--A mother or father, as
				  established through biological relationship or legal process.
(15) Payee--In the TANF Program, a person who
				  receives and manages the TANF benefits for a certified group and who otherwise
				  qualifies as a caretaker, except HHSC does not include the person in the
				  certified group. HHSC designates a payee when no one in the household qualifies
				  or wants to be caretaker.
(16)
				  Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA)--In the TANF Program, a written
				  agreement that defines the responsibilities of participants.
(17) Protective payee--In the TANF Program, a
				  person whom HHSC selects to receive and manage benefits for the certified group
				  instead of the caretaker. HHSC may designate a protective payee whenever HHSC
				  determines that the caretaker has failed to comply with one or more program
				  requirements.
(18) Recognizable
				  needs amount--In the TANF Program, a set dollar amount that is 25% of the
				  budgetary needs amount for the certified group.
(19) Representative payee--In the TANF
				  Program, a person designated to receive and manage the household's benefits for
				  a client who is incapacitated or incompetent.
(20) Sibling--A brother, sister, half
				  brother, or half sister, as established by biological relationship or legal
				  process. A sibling does not include a stepbrother or stepsister.
(21) SNAP--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
				  Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.
(22) TANF--Temporary Assistance for Needy
				  Families.
(23) TANF Non-Cash
				  Program--A component of the TANF Program providing TANF-funded services
				  relating to matters such as education, employment, and the prevention and
				  treatment of substance abuse, but that does not provide benefits (for example,
				  cash assistance).
(24) TANF
				  Program--A program providing temporary benefits (cash assistance) and work
				  opportunities to families with needy dependent children. References in this
				  chapter to the TANF Program also include the TANF State Program (TANF-SP),
				  unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(25) TANF State Program (TANF-SP)--The
				  state-created and state-funded program that is the same as the TANF Program,
				  except limited to certain Texas counties and two-parent households. References
				  in this chapter to TANF include TANF-SP, unless the context clearly indicates
				  otherwise.
(26) Texas Health and
				  Human Services Commission (HHSC)--The state agency that administers the TANF
				  Program and SNAP in Texas.
(27)
Texas Works Handbook
--An HHSC manual containing policies and
				  procedures used to determine eligibility for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid programs
				  for children and families. The
Texas Works Handbook
is found
				  on the Internet at
				  www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Programs/Programs.shtml#handbooks.
(28) U.S.--The United States of
				  America.
(29) U.S.C.--United States
				  Code.