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What is the Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP)?
The Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) is available to help low-income, disabled Marylanders through a period of short-term disability or while they are awaiting approval of federal disability support. TDAP applies to individuals who are ineligible for other categories of assistance. The program is funded through the State of Maryland to provide help to individuals without dependent children.
TDAP provides cash benefits to eligible disabled individuals. Many figures used to calculate Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) benefits are revised periodically by the Department of Human Services, the state agency that administers the program. Updated figures can be found in the Code of Maryland Regulations Title 07, Subtitle 03, Chapter 05. Since TDAP is locally administered, contact your local department of social services for local requirements and available funding.
More information about this program is available on the Maryland Department of Human Services website.
Read the regulations: Code of Md. Regulations Title 07, Subtitle 03, Chapter 05
Eligibility
You must:
- be unable to work for at least three months due to medical condition (a licensed medical practitioner must complete a medical report); and
- have no children under 18 living with you.
TDAP applicants who are disabled for 12 months or more must file an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). TDAP recipients may receive benefits for only 12 months out of a 36-month period unless they are pursuing SSI.
Income - Countable income may not exceed $185.
All income that the client can actually use is considered available to the client. Net earned income and all unearned income, except SSI benefits, of the spouse with whom the client is living, is considered to be income to the client in the month received by the spouse. $185 of the spouse's income is disregarded. In-kind income, including vendor payments, third-party payments, and contributions of goods to the client, is not counted as income. There are also some other special sources of income, such as educational grants loans, and training stipends that do not count.
Assets - Resources must not exceed $1,500 in monthly assets. An asset is not counted unless it is actually available to you. You may have to prove that you cannot sell the asset. Some assets are never counted, including your home; household goods and personal items you use in day-to-day living, such as clothing and furniture; one motor vehicle regardless of value; the cash value of one life insurance policy; one burial plot; and limited funds set aside in a separate fund for burial expenses.
Read the regulations: Code of Md. Regulations 07.03.05.07; 07.03.05.08; 07.03.05.10
Applying
Apply at your local department of social services office. You may also file an application by mail, fax or other electronic means or someone may drop an application off for you.
Appeals
You can appeal any denial, termination, or reduction of benefits
- Appeals must be filed in writing at the DSS office. It is best to file it in person and to get a receipt showing that you filed the appeal.
- Appeals must be filed within 90 days of the action, or you cannot appeal.
- If you file within 10 days of notice that benefits are being terminated or reduced, and you ask that the benefits continue until the appeal decision is made, they will continue until the decision. If you do not want benefits to continue following the decision, you must specifically request that they do not continue. If you do not appeal within 10 days, the termination or reduction will happen.
Read the regulations: Code of Md. Regulations 07.03.05.14; Title 7, Subtitle 1, Chapter 4