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

1. (1) Applicant--A person who applies for temporary cash assistance.

2. (2) Earned Income Deduction (EID)--For purposes of this chapter, Earned Income Deduction is defined as a standard work-related and income deduction that is available through the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) for four months to all recipients who obtain employment.

   1. (A) Recipients who are employed less than 30 hours a week and earn less than $700 a month, and are not otherwise exempt, shall be required to participate in Choices services.
   2. (B) Recipients who elect the Earned Income Deduction and are employed at least 30 hours a week and earn at least $700 per month shall be required to report hours of work.
   3. (C) Two-Parent recipients who elect the Earned Income Deduction and are employed at least 30 but less than 35 hours a week shall be required to participate in additional Choices services to meet the federal 35-hour requirement.
3. (3) Former recipient--A person who is an adult or teen head of household who no longer receives temporary cash assistance.
4. (4) Individual--A person who is an applicant, recipient, or former recipient as defined in this section.
5. (5) Recipient--A person who is an adult or teen head of household who receives temporary cash assistance.

6. (6) Temporary assistance--As defined in 45 C.F.R. §260.31, includes cash, payments, vouchers, and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family's ongoing basic needs for items such as food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items, and general incidental expenses. Temporary assistance, which is funded through TANF:

   1. (A) includes support services such as transportation and child care that are provided to families for up to four months if the family is not employed;
   2. (B) includes other types of benefits and services in support of the TANF purpose one goal at 45 C.F.R. 260.20(a) that provides assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; and
   3. (C) does not include those items listed in 45 C.F.R. 260.31(b) such as non-recurrent, short-term benefits that are designed to deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need, and are not intended to meet recurrent or ongoing needs.
7. (7) Temporary cash assistance--The cash grant provided through DHS to individuals who meet certain residency, income, and resource criteria as provided for under state and federal statutes and regulations, including the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the TANF block grant statutes, the TANF State Plan, and other related regulations.
8. (8) Work-Based Services--Includes those services defined in Human Resources Code 31.0126.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.2 adopted to be effective February 19, 2001, 26 TexReg 1566.