Florida parents can expect up to $298 in monthly stimulus checks beginning January 15, 2025, through the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program. The new program will financially support families with children under the age of 18 years old to help cover living expenses as costs rise. Here is a detailed review of the program, its eligibility criteria, and how it may be applied for.
Overview of the Temporary Cash Assistance program
The TCA program provides financial assistance to low-income families with children. This program aims to encourage self-sufficiency but at the same time keep children out of stable home settings. Through this program, funds are provided against set eligibility criteria that include family income, family assets, and the number of dependents.
Assistance under the program varies based on the children’s age and is as follows:
- 0-5years old: $242 monthly
- Children ages 6 through 12: $249 a month
- Youth ages 13 through 17: $298 a month
Payments are made through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, allowing families to count on receiving their funds on time each month .
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the TCA program in Florida, applicants must first meet the following requirements:
- Residency: Applicants must be residents of Florida and either U.S citizens or qualified non-citizens.
- Age of children: The family must have dependent children under the age of 18 or under age 19 if they are full-time secondary school students.Â
- Income and assets: The countable assets of the family must not be more than $2,000. Besides, the income of the household must be below a certain limit set by the state.Â
- Social Security Number: The dependent child must have a Social Security number or proof of application for the same.
- Cooperation with child support: Families must cooperate with child support enforcement efforts, such as identifying and locating non-custodial parents.
- Immunization and school attendance: Children under five must be current on immunizations, and those between the ages of six and eighteen years old must attend school as a requirement of the Learnfare.
These requirements ensure that aid goes to families that truly need it while encouraging good parenting behaviors.
How to apply for TCA benefits
Parents applying for TCA must do the following:
- Gather documents needed: These may include proofs of income, Social Security numbers of all the family members, and any required identification.
- Fill out an application: This can be done online via the website of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), or in-person at local DCF offices.
- Interview process: After applying, the families may be called for an interview to confirm their information and discuss their case further.
- Wait for decision: After the application is processed the families will be informed about the qualification and amount.
- Get payments: The eligible applicants shall get the monthly payments through EBT. EBT can be used just as a debit card at the accepted stores.
Payment schedule
Payments under the TCA program are mailed according to a schedule based on each family’s case number as follows:
- Case numbers ending in 0 or 1 are mailed on the 1st of the month.
- Case numbers ending in 2 or 3 are mailed on the 2nd.
- Case numbers ending in 4 or 5 are mailed on the 3rd.
- Case numbers ending in 6 or 7 are mailed on the 4th.
- Case numbers ending in 8 will be paid on the 5th.
- Case numbers ending in 9 will be paid on the 6th.
- All other case numbers will be paid by the 7th.
Having such a systematic schedule makes the disbursement of funds to the different families in Florida prompt.
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