SECTION 340:10-3-81. Adjustment period

(a)   Scope. In an effort to promote marriage and provide a more secure and stable family situation, an adjustment period up to three months of the existing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit may be approved by the worker. The intent of the adjustment period is to assist the family in the payment of outstanding bills and to allow for the gradual assumption of financial responsibilities.

(1)   When a TANF recipient marries and the income of the spouse will close the case, an adjustment period may be made available to the family.

(2)   If deprivation ends for the child(ren) when the spouse returns home and he or she is not incapacitated or does not meet the unemployed parent policy, an adjustment period may be made available to the family.

(3)   At the time the recipient reports his or her marriage or the return of the spouse, it is the responsibility of the worker to discuss the adjustment period with the family to determine possible eligibility.

(4)   The marriage of the recipient or return of the spouse must be reported timely. If the TANF recipient fails to report the marriage or return of the absent spouse, the number of months of benefits approved is adjusted accordingly.

(5)   The TANF recipient must be made aware the receipt of an adjustment period counts towards the 60-month lifetime limit of receipt of TANF.

(b)   Benefits. The maximum adjustment period approved is three months. The benefit issued is the same as the existing TANF benefit issued prior to the recipient's marriage or the return of the spouse.

[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 444, eff 11-1-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 2075, eff 7-1-00; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 6, eff 1-03-; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 764, eff 5-12-05; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1223, eff 6-1-09]