Eligibility and Benefits At-a-Glance: DTA-Administered Benefits for Families and Children

     All TAFDC amounts listed above apply to “exempt” families not subject to the 24 month time limit. Grants for families subject to the time limit currently are $10 to $25 a month lower depending on family size, although under the welfare reform bill pending in the Legislature non-exempt families would have their grants increased to the levels shown.

       There is no gross income test for families with children under 18, elder/disabled households or pregnant women households.  Special net income rules also apply to elder/disabled households. The actual SNAP/Food Stamps benefit amount is based on the household’s “net” income (generally $3.00 of income above certain capped deductions reduces food stamp benefit by $1.00).  Gross income amounts and SNAP/Food Stamps benefits usually go up in October of each year. 

       EA eligibility limits are based on 130% of the federal poverty limit (P.L.) which goes up in January or February each year. The current limits took effect in January 2007. They increase by approximately $377 for each additional family member.