The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) Authorized representative--In the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, a person whom the certified group authorizes to apply for or manage the TANF benefits on behalf of the certified group but who is not included in the certified group. In the Food Stamp Program, a person whom the household authorizes to apply for or manage the food stamp benefits on behalf of the household. References in this chapter to a certified group, client, or household include an authorized representative, unless the context indicates otherwise.
2. (2) Budgetary needs amount--In the TANF program, a set dollar amount that represents the monthly amount needed by the certified group to pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, and incidental expenses (which include day-to-day transportation, telephone, laundry, unreimbursed medical expenses, recreation, and household supplies).
3. (3) Caretaker--In the TANF Program, a person who cares for a dependent child, whom DHS includes in the certified group, and who ordinarily receives and manages the TANF benefits for the certified group.
4. (4) Certified group--The person or group of relatives whose needs DHS includes together in a TANF case.
5. (5) CFR--The Code of Federal Regulations.
6. (6) Child--A person who is under 18 years of age. In the TANF Program, a child also includes a person who is under 19 years of age so long as the person is a full-time student in a secondary school (or participant in an equivalent vocational or technical training program) and the person is reasonably expected to complete the school (or the training) before the person's 19th birthday.
7. (7) Client--In the TANF Program, the member of the certified group who receives benefits for the certified group. In the Food Stamp Program, the member of the household who receives benefits for the household.
8. (8) Dependent child--In the TANF Program, a child as described in the Texas Human Resources Code, §31.002(b). The term also means a child who has been deprived of parental support because of the death, absence, or incapacity of a parent who does not have enough income or resources for a reasonable subsistence compatible with health and safety, and who is living with a caretaker.
9. (9) DHS--The Texas Department of Human Services (which is the state agency that administers the TANF and Food Stamp programs in Texas).
10. (10) Federal Poverty Guidelines--The household income guidelines issued periodically and published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that determine income eligibility for the Food Stamp Program and certain other public assistance programs.
11. (11) Household--The person or persons whose needs DHS includes in a Food Stamp Program case for benefits. In the TANF Program, the family members who live together.
12. (12) Parent--A mother or father, as established through biological relationship or legal process.
13. (13) Payee--In the TANF Program, a person who receives and manages the TANF benefits for a certified group and who otherwise qualifies as a caretaker, except DHS does not include the person in the certified group. DHS designates a payee when no one in the household qualifies or wants to be caretaker.
14. (14) PRA--Personal Responsibility Agreement. In the TANF Program, a written agreement that defines the responsibilities of participants and of the state.
15. (15) Protective payee--In the TANF Program, a person whom DHS selects to receive and manage benefits for the certified group instead of the caretaker. DHS may designate a protective payee whenever DHS determines that the caretaker has failed to comply with one or more program requirements.
16. (16) Recognizable needs amount--In the TANF program, a set dollar amount that is 25% of the budgetary needs amount for the certified group.
17. (17) Sibling--A brother, sister, half brother, or half sister, as established by biological relationship or legal process. A sibling does not include a stepbrother or stepsister.
18. (18) SNAP--Simplified Nutritional Assistance Program.
19. (19) SSI--Supplemental Security Income.
20. (20) TANF--Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
21. (21) TANF Non-Cash Program--A program that is a component of the TANF Program that provides TANF-funded services relating to such matters as education, employment, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, but that does not provide benefits (for example, cash assistance).
22. (22) TANF Program--A program that provides temporary benefits (cash assistance) and work opportunities to families with needy dependent children. References in this chapter to the TANF Program also include the TANF State Program (TANF-SP), unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
23. (23) TANF-SP--Means TANF State Program, the state-created and state-funded program that is the same as the TANF Program except it is limited to certain Texas counties and two-parent households. References in this chapter to TANF include TANF-SP, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
24. (24) U.S.--The United States of America.
25. (25) U.S.C.--United States Code.
26. (26) Work subsidy--Refers to a component of the TANF Program in which DHS does not directly pay benefits to the household but instead diverts to a participating employer a subsidy equal to the household's TANF benefits (and any food stamp benefits), and the employer pays the program participant a wage that equals or exceeds this subsidy. DHS is authorized to administer the work subsidy program in coordination with the Texas Workforce Commission. At any given time, the work subsidy program may not operate or may not be available in certain areas of the state.

Source Note:The provisions of this §372.2 adopted to be effective March 17, 2004, 29 TexReg 2661; transferred effective April 1, 2004, as published in the Texas Register July 2, 2004, 29 TexReg 6359.