Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: Three grants were awarded in FY 2016. Fiscal Year 2017: It is anticipated that three grants will be awarded in FY 2017. Fiscal Year 2018: It is anticipated that three grants will be awarded in FY 2018.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Cash payments are made to eligible needy aged, blind, or disabled persons in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

These payments are to cover costs for food, shelter, clothing, and other daily living needs recognized as necessary by each Territory's program.

In addition, an individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least 18 years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Agencies must operate under Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved plans and agreements, which must comply with all Federal statutory and regulatory requirements governing these programs.

The applicant must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements.

In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least 18 years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The beneficiary must be needy -- i.e., meet specific income and resource requirements. In addition, the individual must be at least age 65 to receive assistance for the aged; must be determined blind to receive aid to the blind; or must be at least 18 years of age and totally disabled to receive aid to the permanently and totally disabled. These programs also have specific unearned and earned income disregards that are applied in determining the amount of assistance payable.

Credentials/Documentation

Federal funds must go to a certified Territorial welfare agency. Individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Eligible individuals should apply directly to their Territorial or local welfare agency. The Territories should contact the Regional Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program managers for application forms. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.) Territories contact the Regional TANF program manager for applications for administrative funds. OFA/Regional TANF program managers have authority to approve applications and amendments; disapproval authority is held by the Director of the Office of Family Assistance, in the Administration for Children and Families.

Award Procedures

Once an application is approved, Territories are awarded funds quarterly based on ACF-approved estimates of maintenance assistance and administrative costs. Notification of awards must be made to the designated Territorial agency. Eligible individuals receive monthly subsistence checks from Territorial welfare agencies.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title XVI, 42 U.S.C 1351.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. Welfare agencies must have a time standard for notifying applicants of approval/disapproval; not over 45 days after application, except 60 days for aid to the disabled.

Appeals

From 90 to 120 days. Individuals denied assistance must be given a fair hearing on appeal (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 205.10). Territorial agencies may request a hearing before the Assistant Secretary for Family Support regarding adverse decisions (45 CFR, Chapter 2, Section 201.14; 45 CFR, Part 16).

Renewals

> 180 Days. The agency must conduct periodic reviews to determine whether conditions justifying eligibility still exist.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title XVI. Matching Requirements: Program funds are provided based on a formula linked to the number of recipients receiving benefits each month. Administrative costs are matched at 50%. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Individuals receive support from the Territorial or local welfare agency until they no longer meet the eligibility requirements. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payments to eligible individuals are paid monthly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required.

Cash reports are not applicable.

No progress reports are required.

Territorial claims must be submitted quarterly to receive Federal matching funds.

No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

Territories must maintain records which substantiate eligibility determination and grants that are made.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1501-0-1-609.

Obigations

(Formula Grants) FY 16 $32,969,628; FY 17 est $33,000,000; and FY 18 est $33,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The range for these three Territories is $707,436 and $30,560,246 with an average of $10,829,401.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

ACF regulations are published in the Federal Register, 45 CFR 200 et seq.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI): Frank Ceruto, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, New York Regional Office, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 4114, New York, NY 10278. Telephone: (212) 264-2890, ext. 133. Region IX (AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV): Julie Fong, Regional Program Manager, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, San Francisco Regional Office, 90 7th Street, Ninth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. Telephone: (415) 437-7579.

Headquarters Office

Susan Golonka Office of the Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20201 Email: Susan.Golonka@acf.hhs.gov Phone: 202-401-4731 Fax: 202-205-5887

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.