Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to align policies and procedures on income and asset exclusions for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). The Social Security Protection Act of 2004 included several policy changes on income and asset exclusions for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. By law, these provisions must also apply to SSI-related Medicaid programs and State Funded Programs (Optional State Supplementation and Home Care for Disabled Adults). The Farm Bill of 2002 allows some state flexibility to align food stamp income and asset polices to those used by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and 1931 Medicaid programs. Florida is aligning the policies to further simplify program policies and procedures.