OLGT 2021-64: TAFDC & EAEDC: Grant Increase

The Department’s FY’22 budget included an increase to both the TAFDC and EAEDC grants. This will result in an overall increase of 20% to the benefit levels for the majority of clients. TAFDC and EAEDC cash benefit amounts increased as of July 1, 2021. The EAEDC Personal Needs Allowances (PNA) for living arrangements C and E is not increasing. BEACON is programmed to use the new need payment standards when calculating eligibility and grant payments for TAFDC and EAEDC households that are eligible beginning with the August benefit cycle.

A text message campaign was created to notify clients of the increase to TAFDC and EAEDC grant amounts. The text messages were sent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and Chinese. Those with HLS or who have affirmatively opted-out of text messaging from DTA are excluded as well as certain clients who are not eligible for a grant increase. Text messages are sent regardless of the phone type listed on BEACON.

Assistance units eligible for the grant increase for TAFDC or EAEDC in the month of July 2021, received an automatic retroactive payment for the difference of the grant amount received. This will occur for all eligible active and closed cases. No manual retroactive payments are to be issued. Clients will receive a notice informing them of these changes.