Winter 1998

Domestic Violence and TFA

How do I protect my benefits?

Most people getting welfare must help the state collect child support and must work or look for a job. If you don't cooperate, you can lose your benefits. However, if doing any of these things will put you or your children in danger of being hurt by your boyfriend or husband, you need to tell your welfare worker in order to protect your benefits.

Victims of Domestic Violence do not have to help the state collect child support or look for a job or work. They should also be able to get an extension of benefits for longer than 21 months. If you believe you are a victim of domestic violence, tell your welfare worker. You may even want to talk to legal services or an advocate at a domestic violence project before you talk to your worker. (See the list of Projects and legal service providers in the Index of Community Services.

Your worker can ask you for proof that you or your children are in danger.

Collecting Child Support:

Your worker may ask you the name and social security number of your child's father; you may be asked to go to court hearings or to have blood tests done to prove who is the father. If doing these things could put you or your child in danger, tell your worker.

There may be other good reasons why you may not be able to help collect child support. For example, you don't have accurate information because the father lied to you; you have a mental disability that keeps you from getting the information; or, you have tried to help, but something beyond your control kept you from doing so. Always be sure to explain to your worker so that you don't lose your benefits.

Working or Looking for a Job:

These are some reasons why you may not be able to look for a job or work:

red bullet  A boyfriend or husband does something to stop you looking for a job or working;

red bullet  A boyfriend or husband does something to interfere with the child care you need to work or look for a job;

red bullet  Looking for a job makes it more difficult for you to escape or prevent domestic violence;

red bullet  You need to go to court hearings because of domestic violence and that keeps you from looking for a job or working;

red bullet  You are asked to look for a job or you work in a location that puts you at risk of being hurt.

Getting an Extension:

If your 21 month limit on getting TFA is running out, you should qualify for a six month extension if you can't get or keep a job because of domestic violence. There is no limit to the number of extensions you can get to protect yourself or your children from domestic violence. Again, remember to tell your worker.

What if My Worker Doesn't Help Me?

If you told your worker about domestic violence and the worker doesn't believe you or asks you to do something that puts you or your children in danger, call legal services or a domestic violence project right away.

You also have the right to ask for a fair hearing. At the hearing, another person will decide if your worker made the right decision. To ask for a hearing, write to:

Department of Social Services
Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals
25 Sigourney Street, 12th Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone 1-800-462-0134