Assigned to HHS & APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1388
temporary assistance; child only case
Purpose
Expands the definition of child only case, for purposes of Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families cash assistance (TANF CA) eligibility, to include cases in which an eligible dependent
child is living with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative that is both responsible for meeting the
basic needs of the child and is not receiving TANF CA.
Background
The Department of Economic Security administers the TANF CA Program to provide
temporary cash benefits and supportive services to Arizona children and families. To be eligible
for TANF CA, a family's net monthly income cannot exceed: 1) 130 percent of the current Federal
Poverty Level (FPL) for families in which the head-of-household is a nonparent relative requesting
TANF CA only for the dependent children; or 2) 100 percent of the current FPL for all other
families. However, these income limitations do not apply to child only cases, and instead only the
income of the dependent child is considered (A.R.S. § 46-292; A.A.C. R6-12-701). A family
receiving TANF CA for themselves or on behalf of a dependent child is limited to 12 months of
benefits, with certain exceptions. This 12-month time limit on TANF CA does not apply to child
only cases (A.R.S. § 46-294).
A child only case is a case in which an eligible dependent child is in the legal custody of
the Department of Child Safety (DCS), a tribal court or a tribal child welfare agency in Arizona
and placed in foster care with an unrelated adult or a nonparent relative who is not receiving TANF
CA (A.R.S. § 46-101).
The fiscal impact to the state General Fund is unknown at this time.
Provisions
1. Expands the definition of child only case, for purposes of TANF CA eligibility, to include
cases in which an eligible dependent child is living with an unrelated adult or nonparent relative
that is both responsible for meeting the basic needs of the child and is not receiving TANF CA.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2024
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