TCA Florida Payment Schedule – When Will Cash Assistance Be Distributed in September 2024?

The Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program is a crucial resource for families with children under the age of 18, or under 19 if they are full-time high school students, offering financial support to help them through difficult times.

This program is designed to help families achieve self-sufficiency while ensuring that children can stay in their homes. Additionally, pregnant women in their third trimester who are unable to work, or those in their ninth month of pregnancy, may also qualify for TCA benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

To receive TCA benefits, applicants must meet a series of eligibility requirements. One of the most important stipulations is the time limit for receiving cash assistance, which is capped at a lifetime total of 48 months for adults. However, an important exception exists for “child-only” cases, where there is no time limit. This distinction ensures that children in these situations receive the necessary support without the same restrictions applied to adults.

Moreover, some recipients are required to participate in work activities unless they qualify for an exemption. Regional Workforce Boards are instrumental in this process, providing services and activities designed to help individuals secure or maintain employment.

Income and Asset Limits

Income and asset limits are critical components of TCA eligibility. Gross income must be less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and countable income cannot exceed the payment standard, which is based on family size. This ensures that TCA benefits are directed toward those who are most in need.

A key feature of the program is the ability for recipients to deduct $90 from their gross earned income, providing a bit of financial breathing room. On the asset side, families must keep their countable assets at or below $2,000 to qualify. For those subject to work requirements, licensed vehicles owned by the family cannot exceed a combined value of $8,500. These limits help target the assistance to families that need it most while encouraging financial responsibility.

Citizenship and Residency

Eligibility for TCA also depends on citizenship and residency status. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens and must reside in the state of Florida. Additionally, they are required to provide a Social Security Number or proof of having applied for one.

The relationship requirement stipulates that a child must live in a home maintained by a parent or a blood relative. This requirement ensures that TCA benefits are used to support families and children who are in genuine need.

Child Support Enforcement

Another essential aspect of TCA eligibility is cooperation with child support enforcement. The parent or caretaker relative must work with authorities to identify and locate any absent parent(s). This cooperation is critical for establishing the child’s legal relationship with their parents and securing any support that the absent parent may be obligated to provide.

Payment Distribution

TCA benefits are distributed through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system and are paid out between the 1st and the 28th of each month, depending on the Florida case number assigned to the recipient. Here’s how the payment schedule is structured:

Case Number Range	Payment Date
00-03	1st of the month
04-06	2nd of the month
07-10	3rd of the month
11-13	4th of the month
14-17	5th of the month
18-20	6th of the month
21-24	7th of the month
25-27	8th of the month
28-31	9th of the month
32-34	10th of the month
35-38	11th of the month
39-41	12th of the month
42-45	13th of the month
46-48	14th of the month
49-53	15th of the month
54-57	16th of the month
58-60	17th of the month
61-64	18th of the month
65-67	19th of the month
68-71	20th of the month
72-74	21st of the month
75-78	22nd of the month
79-81	23rd of the month
82-85	24th of the month
86-88	25th of the month
89-92	26th of the month
93-95	27th of the month
96-99	28th of the month

This staggered payment schedule helps manage the distribution of funds and ensures that recipients receive their benefits in an orderly manner.

TCA is more than just financial assistance—it’s a comprehensive support program aimed at helping families achieve self-sufficiency. By addressing the eligibility requirements, income and asset limits, and the importance of cooperation with child support enforcement, applicants can make the most of this critical resource.

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