Payments to Territories – Adults

To provide aid in the form of cash benefits for food, clothing, shelter, and/or other essentials to the aged, blind, and the permanently disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Certified territorial welfare agencies in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam are eligible and 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 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.

Federal funds must go to a certified Territorial welfare agency. Individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. Except for 45 CFR §75.202, the guidance in subpart C of 45 CFR Part 75 does not apply to this program.

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.

Individuals receive support from the Territorial or local welfare agency until they no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

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 Contact Information section for addresses.)

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. Territories contact the Regional TANF program manager for applications for administrative funds. Office of Family Assistance (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.

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.

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.

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

Individuals denied assistance must be given a fair hearing on appeal (45 CFR 205.10). Territorial agencies may request a hearing before the Assistant Secretary of ACF regarding adverse decisions (45 CFR 201.14; 45 CFR Part 16).