701              60-MONTH TIME LIMIT

Temporary Assistance benefits are limited to a total of sixty months in a lifetime.

This time limit makes it vital for adults to find and keep paid employment as quickly as possible, so that income from work and other sources, such as child support, can be used to financially support the family.

Families who are unable to become self-supporting and who reach the 60-month time limit may qualify for an exemption to the time limit and an extension of benefits because of one of the following reasons:

• Domestic violence;

• Incapacity;

• Caring for a child or relative who is part of the mandatory filing unit and experiencing a disability; or

• Hardship.

During the time that a family is receiving ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit payments under an extension to the 60-month limit, they are expected to continue their efforts towards self-sufficiency.  In addition, families must continue to meet all of the program’s eligibility requirements.