department of health and social services

Division of Social Services

Statutory Authority: 31 Delaware Code, Section 107 (31 Del.C. §107)

PUBLIC NOTICE

general notice

In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 107, Delaware Health and Social Services/Division of Social Services (DHSS/DSS) initiated proceedings to provide information of public interest with respect to the Delaware TANF Caseload Reduction Credit Report for fiscal year 2007.

Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning this notice must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy and Program Implementation Unit, Division of Social Services, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to 302-255-4425 (new fax number) by June 30, 2007.

The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

Title of Notice

Delaware TANF Caseload Reduction Credit Report - Fiscal Year 2007

Statutory Basis

• Section 407(b)(3) of the Social Security Act, Pro Rata Reduction of Participation Rate Due to Caseload Reductions Not Required by Federal Law and Not Resulting from Changes in State Eligibility Criteria; and,

• 45 CFR 261.40 et seq., How Will We Determine the Caseload Reduction Credit?

Background

Section 407(b)(3) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) requires a reduction of the State's required participation rate for a fiscal year by the number of percentage points that the average monthly number of families receiving assistance in the State in the immediately preceding fiscal year is less than the average monthly number of families that received assistance in the State in fiscal year (FY) 2005.

The statute prohibits this reduction from including any caseload declines due to requirements of Federal law or due to differences in State eligibility criteria. This reduction in the participation rate is termed the TANF Caseload Reduction Credit.

To receive a caseload reduction credit, a State must complete Form ACF-202, the Caseload Reduction Report, in accordance with the regulations at 45 CFR 261.40 et seq., Section 407(b)(3) of the Social Security Act and the DRA. The FY 2007 report provides the information needed to calculate a caseload reduction credit (FY 2006 versus FY 2005), and thus determine the participation standard the State must meet for the fiscal year.

For this report to be complete, an opportunity for the public to comment and assurances that DSS considered those comments is required by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as part of our Caseload Reduction Report.

Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Caseload Reduction Credit Report for Fiscal Year 2007

FORM ACF-202 - TANF CASELOAD REDUCTION REPORT

OMB Approval No.: 0970-0309 Expiration Date: 09/30/2009 Page 1 of 2

FORM ACF-202 - TANF CASELOAD REDUCTION REPORT

PART 2 – Estimate of Caseload Reduction Credit

Impact of All Changes: None

Caseload Reduction Calculation

Actual Caseload Decline
	FY 2005 Average TANF Caseload	5,606
	FY 2005 Average SSP Caseload	128
	FY 2005 Average Total caseload	5,734

	FY 2006 Average TANF Caseload	5,504
	FY 2006 Average SSP Caseload	105
	FY 2006 Average Total Caseload	5,609
	Actual Decline	125 cases = 2.18%
	Actual Decline – Net Impact	125 cases = 2.18%

Cases Funded With Excess MOE
	Total FY 2006 MOE Expenditures	$37,374,628
	75% MOE Requirement	$21,771,069
	Excess MOE Spending	$15,603,559 divided by
	Average “assistance” spending per case	$ 3,926 equals
	Cases Funded by Excess MOE	3,974 cases
	Actual Caseload Decline	125 cases
	Adjusted Caseload Reduction	4,099 cases = 71.49%

Caseload Reduction Credit = 50%