Alabama Family Assistance Program

how to apply for Alabama’s Family Assistance Program

Alabama’s Family Assistance Program is a state initiative that provides temporary financial aid to families in need. In this we will give you a thorough instructions of the program, including where to apply, the application process, necessary documents, eligibility, and more.

Understanding the Alabama Family Assistance Program

The Family Assistance Division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources manages the Alabama Family Assistance Program. The program is financed by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The program’s main objective is to offer benefits and services to needy families, allowing children to be cared for in their own homes or those of relatives.

The program provides two key services to eligible families

• Temporary Cash Assistance: This service offers temporary cash assistance for basic needs to low-income families with children under 18 years of age or 19 years of age if they are full-time students in a secondary school or equivalent vocational or technical training.
• Work and Job Training Services: The JOBS Program offers work and training services to all parents receiving cash assistance to assist them in finding and retaining employment.

Eligibility for the Program

To be eligible for the Alabama Family Assistance Program, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
• You must be a resident of Alabama.
• You must be pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age.
• You must be unemployed or underemployed with very low wages equal to or less than the payment standards.

For the detailed eligibility criteria please refer to this pdf file - IS MY FAMILY ELIGIBLE?

SUMMARIZED ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Persons who apply for or receive cash benefits must meet certain requirements. They must help determine eligibility for benefits and participate in activities that will help them become able to support and better care for their families. This includes cooperating with child support, JOBS, and drug screening. Persons who do not cooperate may be denied or may lose benefits.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• A. The child must live in the home of a parent or other close relative.
• B. A person can only receive FA benefits as an adult for 5 years in his or her lifetime.
• C. The child must be under age 18 unless in school. If in school, the child may receive benefits through the month before the 19th birthday or the last month in school, whichever is earlier.
• D. The child must be a U.S. citizen or a legal, eligible alien.
• E. The child must live in Alabama. A person who has been convicted of giving a false address to get help from two States at the same time cannot receive benefits for ten years.
• F. The child cannot be receiving foster care from the Department of Human Resources.
• G. The child must not be participating in a strike. No family member may receive FA if a parent or stepparent is on strike.
• H. The relative must cooperate with Child Support unless the Department decides s/he has a good reason not to.
• I. The relative must turn over all child support payments to the State.
• J. The relative must give a Social Security number for each member of the assistance unit.

IS MY FAMILY ELIGIBLE?

• K. The relative must participate in the JOBS program. Parents under age 18 are required to participate.
• L. The relative must apply for any other benefits for which they may be eligible.
• M. A parent under age 18 and his or her children must live with an adult relative or guardian.
• N. The relative must report family circumstances and may need to provide documentation.
• O. A parent under age 18 with a child that is at least 12 weeks old must be in school or a training program.
• P. The child or relative must not be breaking a condition of parole or probation.
• Q. A parent must sign and meet the terms of their Family Responsibility Plan.
• R. The applicant must participate in job search activities unless exempt.
• S. A parent or stepparent grantee must cooperate with drug screening activities.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

“The child must be in need by agency rules and not have parents or stepparents who can support him/her. Before earned income is counted, a 30% work expense and childcare are subtracted from gross income.”

FA STANDARDS

Necessary Documents

When applying for the Alabama Family Assistance Program, you should bring the following documents to your interview:

• Proof of identity (driver’s license, birth certificate)
• Proof of income (check stubs, award letter, child support statement, signed statement from person that gives you money)
• Proof of expenses (rent receipts, mortgage, property tax, house insurance premium, day care receipts, child support orders and receipts, and medical bills for disabled and aging members).

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for the Alabama Family Assistance Program

Applying for the Alabama Family Assistance Program involves several steps:

• Get an Application: You can find the application on the Alabama Department of Human Resources website. You can also request an application by calling your local office and asking them to mail one to you.

• Complete the Application: Print out the application and fill it out with all the necessary details. Make sure to provide accurate and complete information to avoid any delays in processing your application.

• Submit the Application: Send or deliver the completed application to your local Department of Human Resources. You can also apply for assistance using OneAlabama, Alabama’s online application portal for the Family Assistance and JOBS program.

• Schedule an Interview: After your application is submitted, an interview will be scheduled to determine your family’s eligibility. This interview can be conducted either over the phone or in person. During the interview, you will be asked to provide additional information about your household’s income and expenses.

Remember, the application process may take some time, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible. If you need help with the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Department of Human Resources office.

The Alabama Family Assistance Program is a crucial resource for needy families in Alabama. It offers temporary financial assistance and job training services to help families meet their basic needs and find stable employment. If you believe you may qualify, apply as soon as possible to take advantage of these benefits.

For more information, please visit the Alabama Department of Human Resources website.