Family Independence Program

Website: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1677

Program Contact: 800-616-1309

Low income families with dependent children may be eligible for these services. Families must be residents of South Carolina and willing to participate in the Family Independence Work Program. Applicants must assist in pursuing child support from parents absent from the household.

Family Independence (FI) is a time-limited program that assists families with dependent children when families cannot provide for their basic needs. The primary focus of the program is to assist low income families meet basic needs by providing cash assistance, supportive services, and training and employment opportunities. The FI program is designed to serve both single-parent and two-parent families, as well as households with disabled adults. In many instances these families would be eligible for SNAP benefits and Medicaid.

After eligibility determination, a case manager works with the family to develop a plan to achieve self-sufficiency within 24 months. This involves evaluating the family through interviews, assessments and screening tools. The plan includes employment preparation through training, work experience, and job search. Families are provided with support services and a monthly stipend to support the plan.

Offered Services:

• Assessment, Evaluations, Screenings; Employment planning and placement classes

• Monthly stipend; Work experience, Community services, On-the-job training

• Limited vocational education; Childcare and transportation for training and employment

• Limited transitional services with employment; Earned income tax credit

• Relocation to obtain employment; Child support services

Appointment Steps

Residents should fill out an application for this program using the SCMAPP portal at: https://scmapp.sc.gov/

WHAT WILL DSS ASK ME TO DO WHEN I APPLY?

If you have a child over the age of one, DSS will ask you to look for work when you first apply. DSS will ask you to provide certain information. To help collect child support, you may be asked to provide at least two of the following for the child’s absent parent: name, address, social security number, parents and/or work place of the child’s absent parent to help collect child support. You will also be asked about your income and property. You may also be asked to go to certain classes. If you do not do everything DSS asks of you, then your entire family may lose their benefits. You will not lose your food stamps.

HOW LONG WILL I BE ABLE TO GET FAMILY INDEPENDENCE?

Most families will only be able to get FI for two years in a ten year time period. In addition, you can only get it for a total of five years. If you have a baby while on FI for more than ten months you will not get an increase in your check. DSS may provide you with vouchers to help buy what you need for the baby.

DOES THIS APPLY TO EVERYONE?

For the most part, yes, it applies to everyone. However, it may not apply to you if you are disabled or taking care of someone in your family who is disabled. DSS cannot deny disabled people special help if they want to have training and go to work. If you are taking care of children to keep them out of foster care, they can get FI past the two years. If you have done everything asked of you and cannot find a job, then you may get FI for one more year. If you are finishing a training program you can stay on FI for six additional months. After that time, the DSS County Director may ask you if you are willing to move to get a job. It must pay for the move if you decide to do so. DSS will send you a notice when your 24 months is running out. You must ask DSS to continue your FI or it will stop. You will continue to get food stamps

CAN I GET FI IF I HAVE A CAR AND A HOUSE?

Each person in the house with a license may have a car. You can own the home you live in. You may have up to $2,500 in cash. You may also have a special account called an Individual Development Account (IDA) that can have up to $10,000. This money can only be used for a car, home, education or to start a business.

WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR CHILD CARE?

DSS cannot cut off your money if you do not have either transportation or child care. DSS must pay for both of these if you need it. If you cannot find transportation or child care yourself, then your DSS caseworker must help you.

WHAT IF MY FAMILY IS SANCTIONED?

First DSS must try and work out the difference before it can sanction you. This is called conciliation. If you are sanctioned you have 60 days to ask for a Fair Hearing to see if DSS is wrong. If you ask for a Fair Hearing in ten days your benefits won’t stop, but if you lose, you will have to pay them back. You have the right to bring someone to the hearing to help you. It does not have to be a lawyer. You also have the right to see your file. If you lose the hearing you have 30 days to go to court.

CAN I GET CHILD CARE, FOOD STAMPS OR MEDICAID ONCE I LEAVE FI?

If you leave FI because you have too much income, you can get transitional child care and Medicaid. You must tell your caseworker you have a job and how much you make. If you just tell her to take you off FI you could lose your chance for this help. You may still receive Food Stamps after you leave FI if your income is low enough.

CAN I GET FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID EVEN IF I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FI?

Yes. When you apply for Family Independence, tell your caseworker that you want to apply for Food Stamps and Medicaid. Even if you are not eligible for FI you may still be able to get these benefits for you and your family.