,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dggj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #cj 7legislative day1 ,september #bi71 #bjbj,mr4 ,schatz 7for himself and ,mr4 ,merkley7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,social ,security ,act to provide for a ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,act4 #b4 ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cja et seq47 is amended by inserting after title ,,xii the following new title3 ,,xiii ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program ,table of ,contents of ,title,sec4 #acja4 ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program4,sec4 #acjb4 ,payments to ,states for family assistance4,sec4 #acjc4 ,family crisis cash assistance payments4,sec4 #acjd4 ,state plans for family crisis cash assistance4,sec4 #acje4 ,requirements4,sec4 #acjf4 ,failure of ,state to make cash assistance payments or comply with requirements4,sec4 #acjg4 ,administration of title4,sec4 #acjh4 ,definitions4 #acja4 ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this title is to provide funds to ,states for making family cash assistance payments to vulnerable families during major natural disasters or economic downturns4 7b7 ,appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this title4 ,the sums made available under this subsection shall be used-- 7,a7 for making payments under this title to ,states which have submitted1 and had approved by the ,secretary1 ,state plans for family crisis cash assistance under section #acjd2 7,b7 for making cash assistance payments on behalf of ,states to eligible households under section #acjc pursuant to section #acjf2 7,c7 to provide planning grants under subsection 7c72 7,d7 to provide technical assistance to ,states under section #acjd7;e77#b72 and 7,e7 to pay for ,state and ,federal costs attributable to sharing data in accordance with section #acjd7;c77#b74 7#b7 ,state entitlement ,this subsection constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations ,acts and represents the obligation of the ,secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this title4 7#c7 ,limitation on funding for technical assistance and administrative costs 7,a7 ,in general ,the total amount appropriated for a fiscal year under this subsection for purposes of providing technical assistance to ,states under section #acjd7;e77#b7 or paying for the costs of ,states and ,federal agencies attributable to sharing data in accordance with section #acjd7;c77#b7 shall not exceed the amount specified under subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,limitation ,the amount specified in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbc1 #ad1jjj1jjj1jjj2 and 7ii7 for each fiscal year after fiscal year #bjbd1 an amount equal to the greater of-- 7,i7 #d1ejj1jjj1jjj2 and 7,,ii7 #c percent of the average annual amount of all payments made to ,states under section #acjb7;a7 for the #c-;fiscal year period preceding such fiscal year4 7c7 ,planning grants 7#a7 ,initial planning grants 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide each ,state that submits an application in fiscal year #bjba with a planning grant in the amount determined for the ,state under subparagraph 7,b7 for the purpose of developing a ,state plan for family crisis cash assistance under section #acjd4 7,b7 ,grant amount ,the amount determined under this subparagraph with respect to a ,state is the product of-- 7i7 #aj1jjj1jjj1jjj2 and 7ii7 the quotient of-- 7,i7 the number of households in the ,state with a household income that is less than #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty line 7as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha1 including any revision required by such section1 applicable to a family of the size involved72 and 7,,ii7 the number of such households in all ,states4 7#b7 ,grants to update family crisis cash assistance plans ,for each fiscal year after fiscal year #bjba1 the ,secretary may provide any ,state that wishes to update the family crisis cash assistance plan of the ,state under section #acjd with a grant in an amount that shall not exceed #ej percent of an amount determined for the ,state in the same manner as the amount determined for the ,state under paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,reporting ,any ,state that receives a planning grant under this subsection shall1 not later than #a year after the ,state1 submit a report 7which may be included in a report submitted under section #acje7;d77 to the ,secretary describing how the ,state used such grant4 7d7 ,additional grant for community outreach ,for any calendar quarter in which a ,state receives a payment under section #acjb7;a7 for cash assistance payments that the ,state is required to make for such quarter under section #acjc1 such ,state shall be entitled to an additional payment in an amount equal to #g percent of such payment under section #acjb7;a71 provided that the ,state spends not less than #aj percent of such additional payment conducting outreach1 which shall include internet1 television1 radio1 print1 and other media advertisement campaigns in all languages relevant to the targeted eligible population and in manners that are accessible to people with disabilities1 to increase awareness of the cash assistance program established under this title to populations that the ,state determines are difficult to reach4 ,a ,state may conduct such outreach in coordination with community nonprofit organizations in the ,state4 7e7 ,regulations ,the ,secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title4 #acjb4 ,payments to ,states for family assistance 7a7 ,in general ,subject to subsection 7c71 for each calendar quarter that a ,state has in effect a plan approved under section #acjd1 the ,secretary shall pay to the ,state an amount equal to #ajj percent of the amount of the cash assistance payments that the ,state is required to make for months that occur during such quarter under section #acjc4 7b7 ,payments for technical assistance and administrative costs ,in addition to amounts paid to a ,state under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall make payments to the ,state 7in such amounts as the ,secretary determines appropriate7 to pay for administrative costs attributable to developing and implementing the ,state plan under this title4 7c7 ,timing and manner of payments 7#a7 ,in general ,prior to the beginning of each calendar quarter1 the ,secretary shall estimate the amount to which a ,state will be entitled under this title for such quarter1 and shall pay to the ,state1 in such installments as the ,secretary may determine1 the amount so estimated1 reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayment or underpayment which the ,secretary determines was made under this section to the ,state for any prior quarter and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection4 7#b7 ,special payment ,if a ,state becomes entitled to payments under this title for any month during a calendar quarter for which the ,secretary estimated that the ,state would not be so entitled1 the ,secretary shall1 not later than #ad days after the ,state becomes so entitled-- 7,a7 re-estimate the amount to which the ,state will be entitled under this title for such quarter2 and 7,b7 pay the amount so estimated 7adjusted for overpayments and underpayments as described in paragraph 7#a77 to the ,state4 #acjc4 ,family crisis cash assistance payments 7a7 ,in general ,subject to subsections 7b71 7c71 and 7d71 for each month that is a family assistance month with respect to a ,state with a plan approved under this title 7as determined under subsection 7g77#a771 the ,state shall make a cash assistance payment to each eligible household that resides in an emergency assistance area 7as defined in subsection 7g77#c77 in the ,state in an amount equal to-- 7#a7 in the case of an eligible household that consists of #a individual1 #b1jjj2 7#b7 in the case of an eligible household that consists of #b individuals1 #c1jjj2 7#c7 in the case of an eligible household that consists of #c individuals1 #c1ejj2 and 7#d7 in the case of an eligible household that consists of #d or more individuals1 #d1jjj4 7b7 ,inflation increase ,for each fiscal year after fiscal year #bjbj1 each amount specified in subsection 7a7 and subsection 7d77#b7 shall be equal to-- 7#a7 the amount that applied under such subsection 7as increased under this subsection1 if applicable7 for the preceding fiscal year2 increased by 7#b7 the percentage increase 7if any7 in the ,consumer ,price ,index for all-urban consumers published by the ,department of ,labor for the #ab-month period ending with the month before the first month of the fiscal year involved4 7c7 ,proportional reduction ,a ,state shall adjust on a pro rata basis the amounts paid to each eligible household under subsection 7a7 for a month 7as increased under subsection 7b7 and1 if applicable1 reduced under subsection 7d77 to the extent that amount determined for the ,state and month under section #acjb7;c7 is insufficient to make full payments under such subsection to all eligible households in the ,state4 7d7 ,phase-,out 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the amount payable to an eligible household under subsection 7a7 for a month 7as increased under subsection 7b77 shall be reduced by a percentage equal to the number of percentage points by which the income of such household exceeds #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty line 7as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha1 including any revision required by such section1 applicable to a family of the size involved74 7#b7 ,minimum payment amount ,subject to subsection 7b71 the amount payable to an eligible household under subsection 7a7 for a month shall not be reduced pursuant to this subsection to an amount that is less than #bjj4 7e7 ,timeliness ,a ,state that receives a payment under section #acjb for a month shall make the payments described in subsection 7a7 not less than #ad days after the receipt of such payment4 7f7 ,manner of payment ,a ,state may use the following methods to make cash assistance payments to eligible households under this section3 7#a7 ,transferring amounts to an account held by1 or established for1 an eligible household at-- 7,a7 a community development financial institution 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,community ,banking and ,financial ,institutions ,act of #aiid 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgja note772 7,b7 a minority deposit institution2 7,c7 a community development credit union2 or 7,d7 another financial institution4 7#b7 ,providing an eligible household with a debit or credit card to access payment amounts4 7#c7 ,by making such payments through the benefit transfer system of an existing cash benefit program administered by the ,state1 such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program1 a retirement benefit program1 a welfare program1 a disability assistance program1 a housing assistance program1 or an unemployment assistance program4 7#d7 ,any other method determined appropriate by the ,state and approved by the ,secretary4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,family assistance month ,the term family assistance month means1 with respect to a ,state1 a month occurring during any period that-- 7,a7 begins with the most recent month that is a trigger month for the ,state2 and 7,b7 ends with the earlier of-- 7i7 the #aath consecutive month following such trigger month that is not a trigger month for the ,state2 and 7ii7 the first month following such trigger month that is-- 7,i7 if such trigger month is an economic trigger month1 an economic recovery month2 or 7,,ii7 if such trigger month is a natural disaster trigger month1 a natural disaster recovery month4 7#b7 ,trigger month 7,a7 ,in general ,the term trigger month means1 with respect to a ,state1 a month in which-- 7i7 the ,state's average unemployment rate for the #f months preceding the month involved exceeds the lowest monthly unemployment rate for the ,state for the #ab months preceding the month involved by at least #j4e percentage points2 7ii7 the national average unemployment rate for the #c months preceding the month involved exceeds the lowest national monthly unemployment rate for the #ab months preceding the month involved by at least #j4e percentage points2 7iii7 the number of applications for unemployment insurance benefits in the ,state for the month involved exceeds by at least #bj percent the average number of such applications for the #c months preceding the month involved2 or 7iv7 a major disaster exists in the ,state for which assistance is authorized under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act for individuals who live in an area of the ,state4 7,b7 ,economic trigger month ,the term economic trigger month means a trigger month described in clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,natural disaster trigger month ,the term natural disaster trigger month means a trigger month described in clause 7iv7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,emergency assistance area ,the term emergency assistance area means1 with respect to a ,state and a month that is a family assistance month for the ,state-- 7,a7 if the month is a family assistance month on the basis of an economic trigger month1 the entire ,state2 and 7,b7 if the month is a family assistance month only on the basis of a natural disaster trigger month1 the area in the ,state for which assistance to individuals residing in such area is authorized under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act4 7#d7 ,recovery months 7,a7 ,economic recovery month 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 the term economic recovery month means1 with respect to a ,state1 the first month following an economic trigger month in which the ,state's average unemployment rate for the #f months preceding the month involved does not exceed the ,state's average unemployment rate for the #f months preceding the month before such economic trigger month by more than #b percentage points4 7ii7 ,requirement ,a month shall not be an economic recovery month unless at least #f consecutive months preceding such month were not trigger months4 7,b7 ,natural disaster recovery month 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 the term natural disaster recovery month means1 with respect to a ,state1 the #fth consecutive month following a natural disaster trigger month that is not a trigger month4 7ii7 ,exception ,a month shall not be a natural disaster recovery month with respect to a ,state if the ,secretary1 upon request from the ,governor of the ,state1 determines1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,administration1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 and the ,secretary of ,commerce and based on the progress of economic recovery of eligible households in the ,state1 that the ,state requires more time to recover4 ,the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a written justification of any such determination4 7h7 ,notification of trigger months 7#a7 ,notification of unemployment-based trigger months ,the ,secretary of ,labor shall provide notice to the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services whenever the ,secretary of ,labor determines-- 7,a7 that a month is an economic trigger month with respect to a ,state2 or 7,b7 that a month is an economic recovery month with respect to a ,state4 7#b7 ,notification of disaster-based trigger months ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,administration shall provide notice to the ,secretary whenever the ,administrator determines-- 7,a7 that a month is a natural disaster trigger month with respect to a ,state1 and the areas in the ,state for which assistance is authorized under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act2 and 7,b7 that a month is a natural disaster recovery month with respect to a ,state4 #acjd4 ,state plans for family crisis cash assistance 7a7 ,in general ,a ,state shall not be eligible for payments under this title for any month unless the ,state has in effect for such month a ,state family crisis cash assistance plan that is approved by the ,secretary under this section and is made available to the public by the ,state4 7b7 ,approval of plan ,the ,secretary shall not approve a ,state family crisis cash assistance plan under this section unless the plan meets the requirements of subsection 7c74 7c7 ,plan requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state family crisis cash assistance plan shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an estimate of the amount of funding that the ,state will need over the term of the plan to make cash assistance payments to eligible households under this title1 including-- 7i7 an estimate of-- 7,i7 the total number of eligible households in the ,state2 and 7,,ii7 the number of eligible households in the ,state that #a-person households1 #b-person households1 #c-person households1 and more than #c-person households2 and 7ii7 a projection of how the ,state expects the estimates described in this subparagraph to change over the term of the plan4 7,b7 ,procedures administering cash assistance payments to eligible households in accordance with the requirements of this title4 7,c7 ,procedures for making cash assistance payments available to individuals who are banked1 unbanked1 experiencing homelessness1 or are otherwise economically vulnerable4 7,d7 ,measures to ensure that the plan will not1 intentionally or unintentionally1 function in a discriminatory manner that impairs the ability of an eligible household to receive cash assistance based on the race1 color1 religion1 sex1 or national origin of any member of the household4 7,e7 ,contingency plans that the ,state will rely on to administer cash assistance payments in times of disaster or severe disruption4 7,f7 ,data sharing systems and processes necessary to meet the data sharing requirements of paragraph 7#b7 7including the data security and privacy requirements under subparagraph 7,c7 of such paragraph74 7,g7 ,plans for overcoming anticipated shortcomings or challenges 7which shall include estimates of the likelihood that each such shortcoming or challenge will occur7 that the ,state foresees in administering cash assistance and how the ,state will use any available technical assistance or administrative funding to overcome such shortcomings or challenges4 7#b7 ,data sharing 7,a7 ,coordination among ,state agencies ,a ,state developing a plan for approval under this section shall establish processes for the ,state department of revenue 7or whichever ,state agency is responsible for administering the ,state's tax code7 and the ,state agencies responsible for administering the ,medicaid program under title ,,xix1 the ,children's ,health ,insurance ,program under title ,,xxi1 the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh1 any ,state pension or retirement program1 and any other ,state program that provides means-tested assistance to individuals or families to share all program data necessary to enable the ,state to identify individuals and families in the ,state who are eligible for a family crisis cash assistance payment under section #acjc4 7,b7 ,federal data 7i7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the head of the agency responsible for administering a ,federal public assistance program 7as defined in clause 7ii77 shall make available to any ,state with a plan approved under this section all program data necessary to enable the ,state to identify individuals and families in the ,state who are eligible for a family crisis cash assistance payment under section #acjc4 7ii7 ,federal public assistance program ,the term ,federal public assistance program means any retirement1 welfare1 health1 disability1 public or assisted housing1 postsecondary education1 food assistance1 unemployment benefit1 earned income tax credit1 or any other similar benefit for which payments1 tax credits1 or assistance are provided to an individual1 household1 or family eligibility unit by an agency of the ,united ,states4 7,c7 ,use of information2 privacy protections ,each ,state with a plan approved under this section-- 7i7 shall only use data provided to the ,state under this section for the purpose of identifying individuals and families who are eligible for a family crisis cash assistance payment under section #acjc2 and 7ii7 shall comply with all data security and privacy provisions applicable to data provided to the ,state under this subsection4 7,d7 ,costs of data sharing ,the ,secretary shall pay for costs of ,state and ,federal agencies that are attributable to sharing data in accordance with this paragraph from the amount reserved for such purpose under section #acja7;a77#e77;,b74 7d7 ,term of plan 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state plan for family crisis cash assistance under this section shall be in effect for the #e-year period beginning with the date that the ,secretary approves such plan4 7#b7 ,renewal ,a ,state shall apply for a renewal of a plan for family crisis cash assistance under this section1 with all necessary updates to ensure that the plan meets the requirements of this section1 #ab months before such plan would otherwise terminate4 7#c7 ,revision of plan for failure to meet thresholds ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b71 if a ,state is required to submit a proposed plan to improve the timeliness of assistance and eliminate disparities in the provision of assistance under clause 7ii77,,iii7 of section #acje7;d77#a77;,a71 the ,state shall apply to renew the plan for family crisis cash assistance under this section 7with the necessary updates to improve such timeliness and eliminate such disparities7 not later than #ij days after the date on which the ,state submits the report under section 7if earlier than the date on which the ,state would otherwise be required to renew such plan under this subsection74 7e7 ,guidance and technical assistance 7#a7 ,guidance ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this title1 the ,secretary shall issue detailed guidance to ,states describing the requirements for ,state plans under this title1 and how to submit and obtain approval of such a plan4 7#b7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall offer technical assistance to ,states to support the development1 enactment1 implementation1 and updating of ,state plans under this section to ensure that the plans meet all requirements of such section1 including by-- 7,a7 ensuring that the ,state's plan recognizes and seeks to reduce discrimination and disparities based on the race and ethnicity1 primary language1 sexual orientation1 disability status1 gender identity1 housing status1 and socioeconomic status of its residents2 7,b7 consulting with relevant1 local organizations that specialize in ensuring the equitable delivery and distribution of social services and support with regard to the race and ethnicity1 primary language1 sexual orientation1 disability status1 gender identity1 housing status1 and socioeconomic status of the recipients to ensure that the plan will achieve equitable distribution and delivery outcomes2 7,c7 conducting analyses of the implementation of past natural disaster and economic crisis recovery programs in that ,state1 including any past delivery of family crisis cash assistance payments under this title1 to identify and proactively prevent intentional or unintentional discriminatory outcomes2 7,d7 reviewing the ,state's proposed family crisis cash assistance delivery mechanisms to proactively identify ways that those mechanisms may yield intentional or unintentional discriminatory outcomes and developing solutions to prevent such outcomes2 7,e7 ensuring that the ,state's delivery methods for family crisis cash assistance payments are secure and convenient for all eligible recipients on an equitable basis and including families who do not have access to financial services or technology2 7,f7 providing information1 including on existing best practices1 to ,state authorities to ensure that they meet all other requirements of this section2 and 7,g7 ensuring that the ,state plans have relevant1 up-to-date outreach materials that are cross-cultural1 language-accessible1 and disability-accessible to all families and children4 #acje4 ,requirements 7a7 ,use of funds ,a ,state receiving a payment under this title shall only use such payment-- 7#a7 to provide cash assistance to eligible households in the manner described in section #acjc2 and 7#b7 in the case of funds received under section #acjb7;b71 to pay for administrative costs of developing and implementing the ,state plan under section #acjc4 7b7 ,limitations ,a ,state receiving a payment under this title shall not-- 7#a7 require any member of an eligible household1 as a condition of receiving a cash assistance payment under section #acjc1 to-- 7,a7 engage in work activities2 or 7,b7 cooperate with the requirements of any child support program2 7#b7 impose any restrictions on how long an eligible household may receive cash assistance payments under section #acjc2 7#c7 implement any policies or practices that have the effect of making an eligible household less likely to receive a cash assistance payment under section #acjc on the basis of any member of the household's race1 sex1 religion1 national origin1 immigration status1 criminal justice status or history1 housing status1 or political affiliation2 7#d7 apply any asset or resource test for determining a household's eligibility for a cash assistance payment under section #acjc2 or 7#e7 consider whether a household1 or any member of a household1 is receiving assistance 7whether cash or in-kind7 under another ,federal or ,state program in determining the household's eligibility for a cash assistance payment under section #acjc4 7c7 ,treatment of cash assistance payments as emergency disaster relief2 protection from assignment or garnishment 7#a7 ,in general ,with respect to a cash assistance payment made to an eligible household under section #acjc-- 7,a7 such payment shall be treated as short-term1 non-cash1 in-kind emergency disaster relief for purposes of all laws and programs 7including public assistance and tax laws7 of a ,state and any unit of local government within the ,state2 and 7,b7 the right of any person to such a cash payment shall not be transferable or assignable1 at law or in equity1 and no such payment shall be subject to execution1 levy1 attachment1 garnishment1 or other legal process1 or the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law4 7#b7 ,encoding of payments ,in the case of a cash payment under section #acjc that is paid electronically by direct deposit1 a ,state shall issue the payment using a unique identifier that is reasonably sufficient to identify the payment as such a cash payment4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,state reports 7,a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall-- 7i7 not later than #ij days after the end of any trigger month 7as defined in section #acjb7;g77 for the ,state1 submit to the ,secretary a report on how the ,state used the payments received by the ,state under this title during such period that includes-- 7,i7 an analysis of all eligible households in the ,state as of the start of the family assistance period1 disaggregated by race and ethnicity1 disability status1 housing status1 and income level as a percentage of the ,federal poverty line2 7,,ii7 an analysis of all households that received cash assistance under this title during the family assistance period1 disaggregated in the manner described in subclause 7,i72 and 7,,iii7 an analysis of the timing of when eligible households that received cash assistance received the assistance relative to the start of the assistance period1 disaggregated in the manner described in subclause 7,i72 and 7ii7 not later than #a year after the end of any family assistance period for the ,state1 submit to the ,secretary a report on how the ,state used the payments received by the ,state under this title during such period that includes-- 7,i7 the analyses described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,iii7 of clause 7i72 7,,ii7 an analysis of the reasons for any disparities in eligible households versus recipients and in the timeframes in which recipients received cash assistance1 including disparities among categories of eligible households described in clause 7i77,i72 7,,iii7 if the analysis described in subclause 7,,ii7 reveals that less than #ij percent of eligible households received cash assistance under this title or disparities of more than #ad days1 on average1 in the timeframes in which recipients belonging to different categories of eligible households described in clause 7i77,i7 received cash assistance1 a proposed plan on how the ,state will improve the rate of eligible households receiving payments and eliminate any such disparities in potential future deliveries of the family crisis cash assistance program2 7,,iv7 a description of how the ,state used any funds the ,state received under this title for technical assistance or administrative costs2 and 7,v7 at the option of the ,state1 any recommendations to the ,secretary and ,congress on how changes to the program's implementation1 including technical assistance1 planning requirements1 administrative support1 and other factors may achieve more equitable outcomes4 7,b7 ,family assistance period ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the term family assistance period means1 with respect to a ,state1 a period of consecutive months during which the ,state is entitled to a payment under section #acjb4 7#b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later then ,september #cj1 #bjbb1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress on the use of payments made under this paragraph based on the reports submitted under paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,validation of ,state reports ,the ,secretary may-- 7,a7 develop a process for validating ,state reports submitted under paragraph 7#a7 using ,federal data available to the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 request that a ,state address any inconsistencies identified by the ,secretary4 #acjf4 ,failure of ,state to make cash assistance payments or comply with requirements 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make cash assistance payments to eligible households in a ,state under section #acjc on behalf of the ,state if-- 7#a7 the ,state does not have a plan approved under this title2 7#b7 the ,state fails to make cash assistance payments under section #acjc within the timeframe under subsection 7e7 of such section2 or 7#c7 the ,secretary determines that the ,state is otherwise not satisfying the requirements of this title4 7b7 ,recoupment of payments from noncompliant ,states 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,secretary determines under subsection 7a7 that a ,state is late in making cash assistance payments or is otherwise not satisfying the requirements of this title-- 7,a7 the ,secretary shall recover the amount of any unexpended payment made to the ,state under this title2 and 7,b7 such ,state shall not be eligible for another payment under this section until the ,state provides the ,secretary with such assurances that the ,state will satisfy the requirements of this title as the ,secretary shall require4 7#b7 ,option to forego recovery of funding for administration of ,state plan ,the ,secretary may elect not to recover amounts paid to a ,state under this title for ,state costs attributable to the administration of the ,state family crisis cash assistance plan4 #acjg4 ,administration of title 7a7 ,timing of implementation ,the ,secretary shall implement this title not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this title1 pursuant to appropriate guidance to ,states4 7b7 ,data 7#a7 ,unemployment data ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 for purposes of determining unemployment rates for a ,state and a month under this title1 the ,secretary shall use seasonally adjusted data from the ,local ,area ,unemployment ,statistics from the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics4 7#b7 ,application to certain territories 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of determining unemployment rates for a month for the ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 or ,american ,samoa1 the ,secretary shall use data from the unemployment measure developed under subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,development of territorial measure ,the ,secretary of ,labor1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services and the chief executives of the territories identified in subparagraph 7,a71 shall develop a reliable unemployment measure for such territories4 7#c7 ,authority to make necessary adjustments to data and collect needed data ,in determining the amounts payable by a ,state for a month for cash assistance payments to eligible households under section #acjc1 the ,secretary may make appropriate adjustments to the data collected from a ,state1 on a ,state-by-,state basis1 to ensure that the data are comparable across ,states4 ,the ,secretary may develop a mechanism for collecting expenditure data1 including procedures which allow ,states to make reasonable estimates1 and may set deadlines for making revisions to the data4 7c7 ,research and evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the ,secretary makes the first payment under this title1 and periodically thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that-- 7,a7 explores the use of economic and emergency1 disaster1 or crisis indicators other than the unemployment rates described in section #acjc7;g77#b7 as triggers for making ,states eligible for payments under this title1 including how different indicators would affect the distribution of funds by ,state1 by demographic group1 by economic status1 the total spending levels under this title1 and how using different indicators would affect the outcomes of households eligible to receive cash assistance payments under section #acjc2 7,b7 evaluates the impact of payments to ,states under this title on economic1 health1 housing1 education1 labor1 and any other outcomes of recipients of cash assistance payments under section #acjc as the ,secretary deems relevant2 and 7,c7 evaluates the impact of technical assistance provided by the ,secretary and payments to ,states to cover administrative costs on the ,states' ability to deliver cash assistance in accordance with this title4 7#b7 ,inclusion in evaluation plan ,the findings of any evaluation conducted by the ,secretary under this section shall be included in the next evaluation plan for the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services issued by the ,secretary pursuant to section #cab7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 #acjh4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,eligible household ,the term eligible household means a household with an income that is less than #cjj percent of the ,federal poverty line 7as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha1 including any revision required by such section1 applicable to a family of the size involved74 7#b7 ,household 7,a7 ,in general ,the term household means any of the following3 7i7 ,an individual who lives alone or who1 while living with others1 customarily does not pool income1 assistance1 assets1 or other resources for day-to-day costs of living1 provided that such individual is not a nonresident alien4 7ii7 ,any group of individuals 7including family members7 who live together and customarily pool income1 assistance1 assets1 or other resources for day-to-day costs of living1 provided that at least #a of such individuals is not a nonresident alien4 7,b7 ,family member 7i7 ,in general ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the term family member means1 with respect to an individual1 any of the following3 7,i7 ,a spouse or domestic partner of the individual1 or a child1 grandchild1 parent1 or grandparent of a spouse or domestic partner of the individual4 7,,ii7 ,a parent or grandparent of the individual1 or a spouse or domestic partner of a parent or grandparent of the individual4 7,,iii7 ,a child or grandchild of the individual or a spouse or domestic partner of a child or grandchild of the individual4 7,,iv7 ,a sibling of the individual4 7,v7 ,any individual related to the individual involved by blood or affinity whose close association with the individual involved is the equivalent of a family relationship4 7ii7 ,parent ,for purposes of clause 7i71 the term parent means1 with respect to an individual any of the following3 7,i7 ,a biological1 adoptive1 step1 foster parent or former foster parent of the individual4 7,,ii7 ,the legal guardian or former legal guardian of the family member4 7,,iii7 ,an individual who stands1 or formerly stood1 in loco parentis to the individual involved4 7iii7 ,child ,for purposes of clause 7i71 the term child means1 with respect to an individual1 any of the following3 7,i7 ,a biological1 adopted1 step1 foster1 or former foster child of the individual4 7,,ii7 ,the legal ward1 or former legal ward1 of the individual4 7,,iii7 ,an individual with respect to whom the individual involved stands in loco parentis1 or formerly stood in loco parentis4 7,c7 ,rule of application ,for purposes of this title1 the following persons shall not be considered to be residents of institutions and shall be considered to be individual households3 7i7 ,residents of federally subsidized housing for the elderly1 disabled or blind recipients of benefits under title ,i1 ,,ii1 ,x1 ,,xiv1 or ,,xvi4 7ii7 ,individuals described in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#g7 of section #e7;j7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh1 who are residents in a public or private nonprofit group living arrangement that serves no more than #af residents and is certified by the appropriate ,state agency or agencies under regulations issued under section #afaf7;e7 or under standards determined by the ,secretary to be comparable to standards implemented by appropriate ,state agencies under that section4 7iii7 ,temporary residents of public or private nonprofit shelters for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence or child abuse4 7iv7 ,individuals who do not reside in permanent dwellings or have no fixed mailing addresses who are otherwise eligible for benefits 7including individuals who are residents or former residents of public or private nonprofit shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness74 7v7 ,narcotics addicts or alcoholics1 together with their children1 who live under the supervision of a private nonprofit institution1 or a publicly operated community mental health center1 for the purpose of regular participation in a drug or alcoholic treatment program4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#d7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the #ej ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 the ,virgin ,islands1 the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and ,american ,samoa4 4 7b7 ,exemption of the ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program from sequestration 7#a7 ,in general ,section #bee7;h7 of the ,balanced ,budget and ,emergency ,deficit ,control ,act of #aihe 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #ije7;h77 is amended by inserting after ,contingency ,fund 7#ge-aebb-j-a-fji74 the following3 ,family ,crisis ,cash ,assistance ,program under title ,,xiii of the ,social ,security ,act4 4 7#b7 ,applicability ,the amendment made by this subsection shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the ,balanced ,budget and ,emergency ,deficit ,control ,act of #aihe 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #ijj et seq47 on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #c4 ,disregard of family crisis cash assistance for purposes of other ,federal programs ,the amount of any cash assistance payment made to a household under a ,state program funded by a payment under title ,,xiii of the ,social ,security ,act1 as added by section #b7;a71 shall not be taken into account as income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of such household or any member of such household for benefits or assistance1 or the amount or extent of such benefits or assistance1 under any ,federal program or under any ,state or local program financed in whole or in part with ,federal funds4