(a) TLC program benefits are contingent upon the availability of funds budgeted for this program to the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS).
(b) An eligible individual may receive up to a maximum of $2,500 to pay for the following expenses related to moving and household start-up costs, if the expenses are approved by the case manager and DHS:
  (1) expenses directly related to moving, such as the cost of paying others to move household belongings, the cost of moving cartons, and the cost of transporting the individual to the community setting;
  (2) rent deposits, limited to the first and last month's rent plus reasonable damage and security deposits;
  (3) utility deposits, including deposits required by electricity, gas, water, wastewater, telephone, and sanitation companies;
  (4) cooking utensils, dishes, cleaning supplies, furniture, appliances, towels, sheets, blankets, and other items needed to set up a household;
  (5) other moving-related expenses and household start-up costs approved by the case manager and DHS; and
  (6) temporary rental assistance payments.
(c) Availability of funds and approval of benefits must be confirmed by DHS before commitment is made to disburse funds.
(d) The TLC program will not provide benefits that the individual is eligible for and able to receive through any other program.
(e) The TLC program benefits may not include items or services that are included in the reimbursement rate for Community Based Alternatives (CBA), Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP), Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DB-MD), other DHS community care contracted providers, or other Medicaid-funded community-based service programs.
(f) If individuals requesting TLC benefits will share a common household, the information in paragraphs (1)-(2) of this subsection apply:
  (1) If all individuals meet the eligibility criteria, each individual may receive a grant up to the maximum as long as no duplication of expenses occurs.
  (2) If only one household member meets the eligibility criteria, only the eligible household member may receive the grant. The ineligible household member's moving-related expenses and household start-up costs may be included in the eligible household member's grant, subject to the $2,500 limit, provided the ineligible household member is moving to the same community setting as the eligible household member.
(g) Payments may be made directly to the eligible individual, or authorized representative, by employees of organizations under contract with DHS to provide relocation services or case management, or through DHS Community Care In-home and Family Support staff, according to procedures developed by DHS.

Source Note: The provisions of this §278.29 adopted to be effective June 2, 2002, 27 TexReg 4587; transferred effective June 28, 2024, as published in the June 7, 2024, issue of the Texas Register, 49 TexReg 4061