MO SB736

All electronic benefits cards for temporary assistance recipients must have a photograph of the recipient and expire after three years; cards cannot be accepted if the photograph does not match the person presenting it.

Electronic benefits cards cannot be used out-of-state except for recipients in the military or those leaving the state to pursue employment; recipients must notify the department of their absence, temporary address, and intended return date.

Recipients failing to cooperate with work activity requirements face immediate sanctions terminating all temporary assistance benefits for a minimum of one month; to regain benefits after case closure, recipients must complete 30 days of work activities within 40 days of their temporary assistance eligibility interview.

Beginning January 1, 2015, the lifetime limit for temporary assistance benefits is reduced to 24 months; the department cannot increase monthly benefits for children born 10 months after the case opens, and cannot restore benefits for such children even if the case is later closed.

Beginning January 1, 2015, the department must implement a cash diversion program offering lump-sum grants (up to three times the family size allowance) for short-term needs; eligible recipients can use this benefit once per 12-month period with a lifetime limit of five instances.