TANF Rules
After you apply, you will get a decision about your TANF
within 45 days. If you do not get a notice within 45 days,
you can get a Fair Hearing. Also, if you think your benefit
amount is incorrect, then you can get a Fair Hearing.
If you do not follow all of the program rules, then you may
lose part or all of your benefits. You would lose these
benefits until you comply or longer. Also, if you fail to
cooperate with CSSD, then you would lose 25% of your
TANF benefit.
• Go to treatment programs, as required.
If you do not follow the rules, then you may lose part or
all of your IDA benefits. Also, DHS will take out the
amount of IDA that you got from your first "lump sum" SSI
check; DHS will send the rest of your first SSI check to
you.
Food Stamp Rules
You may file an application for Food Stamps separately
from other benefits. You will get Expedited Food Stamps
within seven (7) days if you are eligible. After you apply,
you will get a decision about your Food Stamps within 30
days. If you do not get a notice within this period you can
get a Fair Hearing. Also, if you do not think your benefit
amount is correct, then you can get a Fair Hearing.
You must have an interview with DHS to get Food Stamps.
If you need to do an interview by telephone, please let
your worker know. We can do phone interviews if you
cannot come to DHS because of work. We can also do
phone interviews if you are sick or have a sick relative for
whom you are caring.
You will have to come to DHS to recertify when we send
you a notice. Note: some elderly and disabled customers
only have to recertify every two years. However, there is
no time limit for getting Food Stamps. In fact, even if you
lose TANF, you may still get Food Stamps.
If you get Food Stamps, you must follow these rules.
• Do not lie or hide information to get Food Stamps.
• Do not trade or sell your Food Stamps;
• Do not use someone else’s Food Stamps; and
• Do not buy alcohol or tobacco with your Food
Stamps.
If you break the rules, then you could be fined and go
to prison for up to 20 years. You may also lose your
benefits for one year for the first violation, two years
for the second violation, and permanently for the third
violation. If you lie about living in the District or your
identity, then you cannot get Food Stamps for 10
years. If you sell or trade your Food Stamps for any
purpose (e.g., to get drugs, firearms, ammunition, or
explosives) or traffic in $500 or more in benefits, then
you may lose your benefits permanently.
Rights of Support
You must turn over to the District Government any
payments
that you get from an insurance company for
medical care. You must turn over part or all of your child
support to the DC Child Support Services Division
(CSSD) after you get your first TANF payment. If you do
not agree to these conditions, then you cannot get
Medicaid or TANF. Once you are off TANF, then you can
keep any current child support payments. If you use a
Medicaid card or the TANF benefit, then you are telling
us that you agree to these conditions.
IDA Rules
After you apply, you will get a decision about your IDA
within 60 days. If you do not get a notice within 60 days,
you can get a Fair Hearing.
Also, if you do not think your
benefit amount is correct, then you can get a Fair
Hearing.
If you get IDA, then you must cooperate with your IDA
case manager. This means:
• Give us medical reports and other materials;
• Keep your appointments with the doctor and with the
Social Security Administration;
• Keep your appointments with your case manager; and
Confidentiality
By applying, you give DHS permission to talk
with your
employer, your landlord, your bank, your doctor, and
other people who have information about you. You
also give these people your permission to give
information about you to DHS. In addition, you also
give DHS permission to look at your motor vehicle
records, wage data, tax information, and other
government records. Of course, DHS keeps all of your
information confidential. DHS does not release your
records without your permission (except when required
by law).
Equality and Non-Discrimination
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) policy, this institution is
prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Under the
Food Stamp Act and USDA policy, discrimination is
prohibited also on the basis of religion or political beliefs
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC,
20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
Write HHS, Director, Office for Civil Rights, Room 506-F,
200 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20201 or
call (202) 619-0403 (voice) or (202) 619-3257 (TDD).
USDA and HHS are equal opportunity providers and
employers.
In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977,
as amended, D.C. Official Code § 2-1401.01 et seq.,
(Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on
the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal
appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family
responsibilities,matriculation, political affiliation,
disability, source of income, and place of residence or
business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex
discrimination, which is prohibited by the Act. In
addition, harassment based on any of the above
protected categories is prohibited by the Act.
Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be
tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.