PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 491

(2) THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE GIVEN UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IS
EQUAL TO THE LESSER OF:

(I) 85% OF THE DEFICIT BETWEEN THE FULL AFDC STANDARD OF
NEED SPECIFIED IN THE REGULATIONS REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS
SUBSECTION AND A RECIPIENT'S COUNTABLE INCOME; OR

(II) THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT SPECIFIED IN THE REGULATIONS
REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION MADE TO A FAMILY OF THE
SAME SIZE WITHOUT ANY INCOME.

(J) (L) (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE RULES OF ELIGIBILITY TO
PERMIT A CHILD WHO IS LIVING WITH THE CHILD'S NATURAL PARENT AND A
STEPPARENT IN A HOUSEHOLD IN WHICH THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME EXCEEDS THE
STATE ELIGIBILITY STANDARD FOR ASSISTANCE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE
ASSISTANCE IF:

(I)      THE REQUIREMENTS OF § 48 OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE MET;

(II)    BASED UPON THE INCOME OF THE NATURAL PARENT AND
THAT PARENT'S CHILDREN, THE NATURAL PARENT AND THE CHILD WOULD BE
ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE; AND

(III)   THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE STEPPARENT DOES NOT EXCEED
150 PERCENT OF THE OFFICIAL POVERTY LEVEL, ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY SIZE,
ESTABLISHED UNDER THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT ACT.

(2) THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE TO BE PAID UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)
OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE:

(I)      COMPUTED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE INCOME OF THE
STEPPARENT IF THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE STEPPARENT DOES NOT EXCEED 100
PERCENT OF THE OFFICIAL POVERTY LEVEL, ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY SIZE,
ESTABLISHED UNDER THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT ACT;
AND

(II)     REDUCED BY 50 PERCENT OF THE STATE ELIGIBILITY
STANDARD FOR THE ASSISTANCE UNIT IF THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE STEPPARENT
IS AT LEAST 100 PERCENT, BUT NOT MORE THAN 150 PERCENT, OF THE OFFICIAL
POVERTY LEVEL, ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY SIZE, ESTABLISHED UNDER THE FEDERAL
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.

(K) (M) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM
ASSISTANCE TO ALLOW OWNERSHIP OF AN AUTOMOBILE WITH A MAXIMUM EQUITY
VALUE OF UP TO $5,000 WITHOUT IT COUNTING AS AN ASSET FOR PURPOSES OF
AFDC AND FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY.

(L) (N) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM
ASSISTANCE TO:

(1)     PERMIT RECIPIENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO SAVE UP TO $5,000;

(2)     DISREGARD THE EARNED INCOME OF A DEPENDENT CHILD WHO IS:

- 2797 -