Family Support Payments to States-Assistance Payments (93.560)

Program

93.560 Family Support Payments to States-Assistance Payments

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title XVI, 42 U.S.C 1351.

Program Number

93.560

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide aid to the aged, blind, and the permanently and totally disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Cash payments are made to eligible needy aged, blind, or disabled persons in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These payments are to cover costs for food, shelter, clothing, and other daily living needs recognized as necessary be each Territory's program. In addition, an individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Agencies must operate under Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved plans and agreements, which must comply with all Federal statutory and regulatory requirements governing these programs. The applicant must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements. In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The beneficiary must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements. In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least eighteen years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled. These programs also have specific unearned and earned income disregards that are applied in determining the amount of assistance payable.

Credentials/Documentation

Federal funds must go to a certified Territorial welfare agency. Individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, the Social Security Act, and Federal Regulations. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Eligible individuals should apply directly to their Territorial or local welfare agency. The Territories should contact the Regional TANF program manager for application forms. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.) OFA/Regional Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program managers have authority to approve applications and amendments; disapproval authority is held by the Director of the Office of Family Assistance, in the Administration for Children and Families. Territories contact the Regional TANF program manager for applications for administrative funds. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Once an application is approved, Territories are awarded funds quarterly based on ACF-approved estimates of maintenance assistance and administrative costs. Notification of awards must be made to the designated Territorial agency. Eligible individuals receive monthly subsistence checks from Territorial welfare agencies.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. Welfare agencies must have a time standard for notifying applicants of approval/disapproval; not over 45 days after application, except 60 days for aid to disabled.

Appeals

From 90 to 120 days. Individuals denied assistance must be given a fair hearing on appeal (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 205.10). Territorial agencies may request a hearing before the Assistant Secretary for Family Support regarding adverse decisions (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 201.14; 45 CFR, Part 16).

Renewals

> 180 Days. The agency must conduct periodic reviews to determine whether conditions justifying eligibility still exist.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title XVI.

Matching Requirements: Program funds are provided based on a formula linked to the number of recipients receiving benefits each month. Administrative costs are matched at 50%.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Individuals receive support from the Territorial or local welfare agency until they no longer meet the eligibility requirements. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payments to eligible individuals are paid monthly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. Cash reports are not applicable. No progress reports are required. Territorial claims must be submitted quarterly to receive Federal matching funds. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits are performed by the HHS Office of Inspector General. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Territories must maintain records which substantiate eligibility determination and grants that are made.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1501-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $32,808,000; FY 09 est $33,000,000; FY 10 est $33,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No data available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

ACF regulations are published in the Federal Register, 45 CFR 200 et seq.

Related Programs

93.778 Medical Assistance Program; 96.001 Social Security_Disability Insurance; 96.006 Supplemental Security Income

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Region II (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)

Joanne Krudys, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, New York Regional Office, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 4114, New York, NY 10278. Telephone: (212) 264-2890, ext. 127.

Region IX (Guam)

Dan Baker, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, San Francisco Regional Office, 90 7th Street, Ninth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. Telephone: (415) 437-8450.

Headquarters Office

Robert M. Shelbourne Office of the Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 5th Floor East, Aerospace Building, 370 L�Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: rshelbourne@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 401-5150 Fax: (202) 401-5554

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.