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

1. (1) Applicant--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who applies for temporary cash assistance, who previously did not leave TANF in a sanctioned status.
2. (2) TDHS--The Texas Department of Human Services.
3. (3) Earned Income Deduction (EID)--A standard work-related and income deduction, available through the TDHS for four months, as defined in TDHS Rules, §3.1003 of this title to recipients who are employed at least 30 hours a week and earn at least $700 a month.
4. (4) Choices Individual--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who is an applicant, conditional applicant, recipient, former recipient, or sanctioned family as defined in this chapter.
5. (5) Conditional Applicant--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who left TANF in a sanctioned status, but who is reapplying for temporary cash assistance.
6. (6) Mandatory Individual--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who is a conditional applicant, mandatory recipient, or sanctioned family as defined in this chapter, who is required to participate in Choices services.
7. (7) PRWORA--The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105, as amended.

8. (8) Recipient--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who receives temporary cash assistance, and includes:

   1. (A) Exempt Recipient--A recipient who is not required to participate in Choices services, as defined by TDHS Rules, §3.1101 of this title;
   2. (B) Extended TANF Recipient--A recipient who receives TANF cash assistance past the 60-month time limit because of a hardship exemption as defined in TDHS Rules, §3.6001 of this title;
   3. (C) Former Recipient--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who no longer receives temporary cash assistance because of employment; or
   4. (D) Mandatory Recipient--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family, including extended TANF recipients who are required as defined by TDHS Rules, §3.1101 and §3.6001 of this title, to participate in Choices services.
9. (9) Sanctioned Family--An adult, or teen head of household, in a family who must demonstrate cooperation for one month in order to reinstate TANF cash assistance.
10. (10) Temporary cash assistance--The cash grant provided through TDHS to individuals who meet certain residency, income, and resource criteria as provided under federal and state statutes and regulations, including the PRWORA, the TANF block grant statutes, the TANF State Plan, temporary cash assistance provided under Texas Human Resources Code Chapters 31 or 34, and other related regulations. The term is also referred to as "TANF cash assistance."

11. (11) Work Requirement--For the purpose of 45 U.S.C. §607 and 45 CFR §261.10, a Choices individual is deemed to be engaged in work by cooperating with:

    1. (A) all requirements set forth in the family employment plan , as set forth in this chapter; and
    2. (B) all TANF Core and Non-Core activities, as set forth in this chapter.
12. (12) Work-Based Services--Includes those services defined in Texas Human Resources Code §31.0126.
13. (13) Work Ready--A Choices individual is considered work ready if he or she has the skills that are required by employers in the workforce area. A Board must ensure immediate access to the labor market to determine whether the Choices individual has those necessary skills to obtain employment.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.2 adopted to be effective November 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 10261.