The State Plan covering TANF encompasses the requirements listed in paragraph (1) through (12) of this Section.

• (1) State-wide operation.  The plan is in effect in all counties of the state as a state-administered program.
• (2) Financing.  The Oklahoma State Legislature appropriates funds for financing the TANF program.  Federal money is provided by block grant funding in accordance with federal laws and regulations relating to the TANF program.  These state and federal funds are used for assistance and administration under the plan.
• (3) Designated state agency.  The state TANF program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), with at least one county office in each county in the state, operating under rules and regulations adopted by the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services (Commission).
• (4) Fair hearings.  Any individual whose application for TANF is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or who is dissatisfied with the amount of the assistance payment or with any other action taken in regard to his or her assistance payment, is provided an opportunity for a fair hearing with OKDHS.
• (5) Proper and efficient administration.  OKDHS operates under the State Merit System which establishes and maintains personnel standards on a merit basis for certain federal grant-in-aid agencies, including OKDHS.  Employees of OKDHS engaged in the administration of the TANF State Plan are covered by the Merit System.
• (6) Reports as required.  The Finance Division:
  • (A) assists in fulfilling the requirements of state and federal laws by making necessary reports;
  • (B) cooperates with various federal agencies by providing current and special reports; and
  • (C) furnishes OKDHS with data necessary for the operation of its programs.
• (7) Safeguarding of information.  Federal and state laws and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants for or recipients of TANF to purposes directly connected with the administration of the program.
• (8) Right to apply.  An individual has the right to:
  • (A) make application for TANF;
  • (B) expect an investigation of eligibility; and
  • (C) a prompt decision by OKDHS in regard to the application.
• (9) Assistance under only one program.  The needs of an eligible person can only be included in one State Supplemental Payment (SSP) or TANF payment.
• (10) Standards for determining eligibility and amount of payment.  Uniform standards for determining eligibility and policies and procedures for such determination are provided in OAC 340:65, and this Chapter.  As a means of promoting uniformity and accuracy in determining the basic needs, such as food, clothing, basic drugs, personal items, shelter, utilities, and household equipment of each TANF assistance unit, a flat grant consisting of these requirements is used. • 1
• (11) Income and resources.  In determining need for TANF, OKDHS takes into consideration any available income and resources of an individual requesting assistance, except income and resources required to be disregarded by federal or state law or by rules of OKDHS.  Income and resources received on behalf of a member of the assistance unit by another individual which include, but is not limited to, a guardian or conservator, is considered available to the assistance unit.
• (12) Civil rights.  The TANF program is administered in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended.