§260.31. What does the term “assistance” mean?

The term “assistance” includes cash, payments, vouchers, and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family's ongoing basic needs (i.e., for food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items, and general incidental expenses).

Except where excluded under paragraph (b) of this section, it also includes supportive services such as transportation and child care provided to families who are not employed.

Work subsidies (i.e., payments to employers or third parties to help cover the costs of employee wages, benefits, supervision, and training);

Supportive services such as child care and transportation provided to families who are employed;

Refundable earned income tax credits;

Contributions to, and distributions from, Individual Development Accounts;

Services such as counseling, case management, peer support, child care information and referral, transitional services, job retention, job advancement, and other employment-related services that do not provide basic income support; and

Transportation benefits provided under a Job Access or Reverse Commute project, pursuant to section 404(k) of the Act, to an individual who is not otherwise receiving assistance.

Does not apply to the use of the term assistance at part 263, subpart A, or at part 264, subpart B, of this chapter; and

Does not preclude a State from providing other types of benefits and services in support of the TANF goal at § 260.20(a).