OLGT 2023-80: TAFDC: One-time TANF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Payment

As part of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) Pandemic Emergency Assistance fund was
established. Massachusetts is using the remaining money within this fund to
issue a one-time payment of $39.17 to children and pregnant individuals who
received a TAFDC payment in the month of October 2023. This includes
cases that are now closed with limited exceptions such as cases that closed
due to death.

TAFDC families do not have to do anything to receive this payment. It will
be issued to each family via the same benefit issuance mechanism their
monthly TAFDC benefits are issued. Pandemic Emergency Assistance funds
are not considered countable income for SNAP, TAFDC, and or EAEDC.
The Pandemic Emergency Assistance Payment is a one-time payment
issued to specific household members. Case managers must not issue a
supplement (related benefit) for this payment.