Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA) Overview

Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA)

When certain TAFDC cases close due to income, the Department will provide Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA) benefits for 5 months. TBA benefits are adjusted to take into account the loss of TAFDC benefits.

TBA Amount Determination

BEACON will establish a Potential TBA Amount for each TAFDC case with an associated Public Assistance (PA) SNAP case. The Potential TBA Amount will be determined by a recalculation that excludes the TAFDC grant. This Potential TBA Amount will be stored on the database but not displayed on any window. The Potential TBA Amount will be determined every time a TAFDC case with an associated PA SNAP case is recalculated online or in a batch.

Eligibility for TBA

When a TAFDC case closes for a TBA reason, BEACON will compare the Potential TBA Amount to the Monthly Federal Allotment calculated at the time of the TAFDC closing.

If the Potential TBA Amount is greater than the Monthly Federal Allotment, BEACON makes the following changes. The:

  • TBA indicator for an NPA SNAP case is set to Yes in AU Composition Results
  • Benefit Amount paid is the Potential TBA Amount
  • SNAP Subtype is changed from PA to NPA
  • Reevaluation Type is set to Recertification for 5 months
  • case remains with the TAFDC case manager, and
  • TBA case is identified in the Active by Grantee Name view

Important: An NPA case with an associated TAFDC case that is eligible to receive a Transitional Support Services stipend (TSS) will be treated as TBA. For TBA purposes, the TSS benefit will not be counted in the SNAP calculation. These NPA households will not be identified on BEACON as TBA.

Ineligibility for TBA

If the Potential TBA Amount is less than the Monthly Federal Allotment, BEACON will change to NPA SNAP and establish the case on Simplified Reporting. The SNAP reevaluation end date will remain the same.

For more information on the reclassification of PA SNAP cases, see Reclassification of SNAP Benefits When Cash Closes.

Household Ineligibility for TBA

TBA will not be provided to a former TAFDC household when the household or household member:

  • has not complied with a TAFDC program requirement
  • has not complied with a SNAP work requirement
  • has been disqualified due to an Intentional Program Violation

Last Update:  October 27, 2023