TANF

An individual must pursue all resources to which the individual is legally entitled unless it is unreasonable to pursue the resource. Advisors should develop a plan with the individual to pursue the potential resource and allow reasonable time (at least three months) to pursue the resource.

Advisors should use the comment section of Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, to inform the individual of the requirement to pursue the resource, including the time the individual has to pursue it, and the resource is not considered available during that time.

If the individual does not pursue the resource within a reasonable time, the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) is denied.

Exception: The individual does not have to pursue a resource if it would be unreasonable. It is unreasonable to pursue a resource if any of the following conditions exist:

The cost to the individual to pursue the resource exceeds the potential resource's value or causes the individual financial hardship;

Pursuing the resource would endanger the individual's health or safety; or

Legal action is required, but a private attorney or legal service refuses to accept the case. The individual must make a reasonable effort to obtain legal assistance.