Resource Number: 170926
Alternate name: Calvert County DSS, Family Investment Program (FIP); TCA

Description
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Helps families to become independent of welfare support through work, personal responsibility and community involvement. FIP has a 5-year lifetime limit for benefits. Clients are required to participate in work activities for a minimum of 20 hours per week depending on their household situation in exchange for temporary cash assistance. Person may be subject to sanctions if found non-compliant with the program.

ELIGIBILITY: Families with a minor child or pregnant individual. Must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant who resides in Maryland, has applied for Child Support Services and participates in work activity.

COMPONENT EXPLANATIONS:
-WORK ACTIVITIES: Can include job search, unsubsidized and subsidized employment, work experience, on-the-job training and/or community service. Education activity for adults must be approved; required for minors with infants. Exemption from work activities: adult of child under 1 years; teen mother with child less than 12 weeks; severely disabled adult or child (SSI application required).

-TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE (TCA): TCA - cash assistance provided to families where all members able to work are required to be an a work activity. DSS and its partners will support employment efforts where a Work Activity Coordinator with the customer will develop a work plan. Members able to work must take child support action against the absent parent and must take a drug test before any benefits are issued.
 

• Apply online: Go to https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/ to file your application.
• Apply at your Local Department of Social Services in person. You may also file an application by mail, fax or other electronic means or someone may drop an application off for you.

Program Phones: 443-550-6900 Main 1-800-332-6347 Toll free Customer Service 410-286-7428 Fax 443-550-6274 TTY

Website: dhs.maryland.gov/weathering-tough-times/temporary-cash-assistance/ Email: [email protected]