TANF Rule #127 - COLA Updates

Date posted:

Attachment(s):

THE FOLLOWING RULE IS PROPOSED:

        10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 331; Public Assistance Manual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Maximum Benefit and Standard of Need Chart

TANF Rule #127 – COLA Updates

Principal Reason(s) or Purpose for Proposing this Rule [see 5 M.R.S. § 8057-A(1)(A)]: The Department proposes routine technical updates to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 331; Public Assistance Manual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) consistent with legislative changes made to 22 M.R.S. § 3769-C(1)(D) made by P.L. 2023, Ch. 622, § 2. The proposed rule change would update the Maximum Benefit and Standard of Need Chart. 22 M.R.S. § 3769-C(1)(D) requires that the Department update the Appendix Chart, pages 2-4, to increase the Standard of Need and Maximum Grant, each October based on the Cost-of-Living Increase, if any, used by the Social Security Administration for that year. It is the intent of the Department that the proposed change to this rule will be in effect as of October 1, 2026 consistent with the SSA COLA increase effective January 1, 2026, as required by statute.

Is Material Incorporated by Reference into the Rule [see 5 M.R.S. § 8056(2-A)]?  No

Analysis and Expected Operation of the Rule [see 5 M.R.S. § 8057-A(1)(B) & (D)]: The proposed rule is promulgated to comply with 22 M.R.S. § 3769-C(1)(D), which requires the Department to update the Standard of Need and Maximum Grant consistent with the Cost-of-Living Increase used by the Social Security Administration effective October 1, 2026. Department front line staff will continue to accept and process applications for TANF.

Brief Summary of Relevant Information Considered During Development of the Rule (including up to 3 primary sources relied upon)[see 5 M.R.S. §§ 8057-A(1)(E) & 8063-B]:  P.L. 2023, Ch. 622  § 2, Cost of Living Increases used by the Social Security Administration, and Department staff expertise were considered during the development of the proposed rule change.

Estimated Fiscal Impact of the Rule [see 5 M.R.S. § 8057-A(1)(C)]: The Department anticipates that any additional costs from this rulemaking will fall within the current available federal funding for the TANF program.

Type of Rule: Routine Technical

Statutory Authority: 22 M.R.S. §§ 42(1); 3769-A and 3769-C(1)(D)

Public Hearing(s): No public hearing is scheduled.

Comment Deadline(s): Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Written public comments may be submitted via the link at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking.

Name, Address, Telephone Number, and Email Address of Agency Contact Person:

Alexandria Lauritzen, TANF Program Manager

DHHS-Office for Family Independence, 109 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011

(207) 215-7496

Alexandria.Lauritzen@maine.gov

See https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking for rules and related rulemaking documents.

This electronic notification of rulemaking in in accordance with 5 M.R.S. § 8053.

 

Office: Office for Family Independence

Comment deadline:

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