ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act.

AFDC
AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

AFFIDAVIT
A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or other authorized officer.

AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN (AFDC)
The program authorized to provide financial assistance and social services to needy families with a minor child. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) replaced AFDC with a block grant called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Grant (TANF). In Minnesota, AFDC was replaced by the MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP). See MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP) in 2.30 (Glossary: M-N...).

ALIMONY
An allowance for support that a court orders a person to pay to his/her SPOUSE.

AMERICORPS
The NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES TRUST ACT of 1993 amended the NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACT of 1990 and established a CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. This Corporation merged the work and staff of 2 predecessor agencies, ACTION and the Commission on National and Community Service and administers national service programs that include 3 AmeriCorps programs among others:

· AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps National (together these 2 programs are also known as AmeriCorps USA) support a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of Americans, age 17 years and older, in intensive service to meet critical community needs.

· AmeriCorps VISTA (formerly known as VISTA) provides full-time members, in the age groups 18 years and older, to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and help bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

· AmeriCorps NCCC (AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time residential program for men and women, ages 18-24, that strengthens communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.

In addition to a stipend/living allowance and an educational award, payments to AmeriCorps participants may include child care allowance if needed to participate in the program, health insurance if not otherwise available, and reasonable accommodations, supplies and services for individuals with disabilities. As an alternative to the AmeriCorps Education Award, members may choose to take a post-service cash stipend instead.

APPEAL
A CLIENT's or authorized representative's request to the State of Minnesota appeals referee for review of a county agency's action or inaction.

APPLICANT
A person who has submitted a request for assistance for whom no decision has been made regarding eligibility, and whose application has not been acted upon or voluntarily withdrawn.

APPLICATION
A request for assistance made by submitting a signed and dated page number 1 of the Combined Application Form (CAF).

ASSET LIMIT
The maximum amount of net counted assets clients may own or have available and remain eligible for MFIP.

ASSETS
Real property and personal property owned wholly or in part by the client.

ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
Assistance received from the MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP), General Assistance (GA), Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and emergency cash programs.

ASSISTANCE STANDARD
An amount set under Minnesota Statutes to provide for an ASSISTANCE UNIT's shelter, food, fuel, clothing, utilities, household supplies, and personal expenses. See TRANSITIONAL STANDARD in 2.42 (Glossary: T-Z...). Also see Combined Manual 0020.09 (MFIP Assistance Standards).

ASSISTANCE UNIT
A group of people receiving or applying for benefits together.

ATTEMPT TO MEET
The county or job counselor contacts the participant in writing and by telephone, if a telephone number is available, about the proposed time and place for the face-to-face meeting. Counties further defined guidelines for attempting to meet in their local service unit plan. The Department of Human Services recommends that counties attempt a face-to-face meeting up to 3 times.

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

A person authorized in writing by the unit or participant to act on their behalf. See Combined Manual 0005.06 (Authorized Representatives).