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.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 12-14-2-21

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • essential person: means a person other than a parent who:

    Indiana Code 12-14-2-0.5

  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
(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) Accept responsibility for ensuring that each child of the person receives all appropriate vaccinations against disease at an appropriate age.

(5) 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.

(6) 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).

(7) Be available for and actively seek and maintain employment.

(8) Participate in any training program required by the division.

(9) 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).

(10) Raise the person’s children in a safe, secure home.

(11) 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; P.L.103-2023, SEC.16.

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