Sec. 21. (a) A TANF recipient or the parent or essential person of a TANF recipient, if the TANF recipient is less than eighteen (18) years of age, must sign a personal responsibility agreement to do the following:
(1) Develop an individual self-sufficiency plan with other family members and a caseworker.
(2) Accept any reasonable employment as soon as it becomes available.
(3) Agree to a loss of assistance, including TANF assistance under this article, if convicted of a felony under IC 35-43-5 for fraud relating to Medicaid or public relief or assistance for ten (10) years after the conviction.
(4) Subject to section 5.3 of this chapter, understand that additional TANF assistance under this article will not be available for a child born more than ten (10) months after the person qualifies for assistance.
(5) Accept responsibility for ensuring that each child of the person receives all appropriate vaccinations against disease at an appropriate age.
(6) If the person is less than eighteen (18) years of age and is a parent, live with the person's parents, legal guardian, or an adult relative other than a parent or legal guardian in order to receive public assistance.
(7) Subject to IC 12-8-1.5-11 and section 5.1 of this chapter, agree to accept assistance for not more than twenty-four (24) months under the TANF program (IC 12-14).
(8) Be available for and actively seek and maintain employment.
(9) Participate in any training program required by the division.
(10) Accept responsibility for ensuring that the person and each child of the person attend school until the person and each child of the person graduate from high school or attain a high school equivalency certificate (as defined in IC 12-14-5-2).
(11) Raise the person's children in a safe, secure home.
(12) Agree not to abuse illegal drugs or other substances that would interfere with the person's ability to attain self-sufficiency.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), assistance under the TANF program shall be withheld or denied to a person who does not fulfill the requirements of the personal responsibility agreement under subsection (a).
(c) A person who is granted an exemption under section 23 of this chapter may be excused from specific provisions of the personal responsibility agreement as determined by the director.
As added by P.L.46-1995, SEC.21. Amended by P.L.161-2007, SEC.22; P.L.160-2012, SEC.36; P.L.174-2021, SEC.9.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 14. Family Assistance Services
Chapter 2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Granting of Assistance
12-14-2-0.5. "Essential Person" Defined
12-14-2-1.5. Income Not Considered for Eligibility
12-14-2-2. Investigations Made by Division
12-14-2-3. Amount of Assistance; Determination
12-14-2-4. Amount of Assistance; Considerations
12-14-2-5. Amount of Need Recognized and Payment Made; Maximum Amounts
12-14-2-5.1. Time Limitations on Receipt of Assistance; Cash Assistance Minimum
12-14-2-5.2. Employment Credit
12-14-2-5.3. Payments for Child Born More Than Ten Months After Family Qualifies for Assistance
12-14-2-6. Need of Child; Age Excluded as Factor
12-14-2-9. Application of Percentage Reduction to Total Needs in Computing Benefits Payable
12-14-2-11. Compliance With Awards
12-14-2-12. Notification of Assistance Decision
12-14-2-13. Reporting of Assistance Decisions
12-14-2-15. Amount Granted; Justification; Conformance With Article
12-14-2-16. Child Living With Relative Prescribed in Ic 12-7-2-58
12-14-2-17. Mandatory School Attendance
12-14-2-18. Revocation or Suspension of Assistance; Sanctions
12-14-2-19. Release of School Attendance Records
12-14-2-20. Voluntary Leave of Employment or Reduction in Hours
12-14-2-21. Personal Responsibility Agreement