Tex. Human Resources Code Section 31.008
Counseling and Guidance Services

(a)

If the commission believes that financial assistance to a family with a dependent child is not being, or may not be, used in the best interest of the child, the commission may provide counseling and guidance services to the relative receiving financial assistance with respect to the use of the funds and the management of other funds in the child’s best interest.

(b)

The commission may advise the relative that continued failure to use the funds in the child’s best interest will result in the funds being paid to a substitute payee. If the commission determines that protective payments are required to safeguard the best interest of the child, the commission may pay the funds to a substitute payee on a temporary basis in accordance with the commission’s rules.

(c)

If the situation in the home which made the protective payments necessary does not improve, and if the commission determines that the relative with whom the child is living is unable or does not have the capacity to use the funds for the best interest of the child, then the commission, with the assistance of other appropriate state agencies, may make arrangements with the family for other plans for the care of the child. The other plans may include:

(1)

removing the child to the home of another relative;

(2)

appointment of a guardian or legal representative for the relative with whom the child is living;

(3)

imposition of criminal or civil penalties if a court determines that the relative is not using, or has not used, the payments for the benefit of the child; or

(4)

referral of the case to a court for the removal of the child and the placement of the child in a foster home.

(d)

The commission may make payments on behalf of a dependent child residing in a residential child-care facility in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and commission rules.
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2345, ch. 842, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.053, eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 317 (H.B. 7), Sec. 43, eff. September 1, 2017.

Source: Section 31.008 — Counseling and Guidance Services, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/HR/htm/HR.­31.­htm#31.­008 (accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

31.001
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 31.002
Definition of Dependent Child 31.003
Amount of Financial Assistance 31.004
Foster Care 31.005
Dependent Child Residing with Relatives 31.006
Welfare and Related Services 31.007
Financial Assistance to Individuals in Institutions 31.008
Counseling and Guidance Services 31.010
Support Services 31.012
Mandatory Work or Participation in Employment Activities Through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Employment Program 31.015
Healthy Marriage Development Program 31.016
Service Referrals for Certain Recipients 31.017
Healthy Marriages and Strong Families Grant Program 31.018
Marriage and Family Program Funding 31.0021
Definition of Nonrecipient Parent 31.0031
Responsibility Agreement 31.031
Application for Assistance 31.0032
Payment of Assistance for Performance 31.032
Investigation and Determination of Eligibility 31.033
Reinvestigation and Redetermination of Eligibility 31.0033
Good Cause Hearing for Failure to Cooperate 31.034
Appeal from Local Eligibility Offices 31.035
Method of Payment 31.0035
Transitional Child-care Services 31.0036
Dependent Child’s Income 31.036
Eligibility of Person Leaving the State 31.037
Payment of Financial Assistance Funds on Death of Recipient 31.0038
Temporary Exclusion of New Spouse’s Income 31.038
Cancellation of Unused Benefits 31.0039
Exclusion of Assets in Prepaid Tuition Programs and Higher Education Savings Plans 31.039
Issuance of Replacement Financial Assistance Warrants and Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards 31.040
Nontransferability of Assistance Funds 31.0041
Supplemental Financial Assistance for Certain Persons 31.041
Right to Assistance Not Vested 31.042
Proration of Financial Assistance 31.043
Fill-the-gap Budgeting 31.044
Inactive Electronic Benefits Transfer Account 31.045
Peace Officers 31.0051
Minor Parent Residing with Relatives 31.051
Definition 31.052
Limitation on Amount of Financial Assistance 31.053
Determination by Legislative Budget Board 31.0065
Time-limited Benefits 31.0066
Hardship Exemptions from Federal Time Limits 31.0095
Needs Assessment 31.0121
Skills Assessment and Development for Certain Recipients and Certain Nonrecipient Parents 31.0124
Referral to Educational Programs 31.0126
Employment Programs 31.0127
Coordination of Services to Certain Clients 31.0128
Coordinated Interagency Plan 31.0129
Coordinated Plan to Improve Interagency Transitions 31.0135
Parenting Skills Training 31.0315
Determination of Parentage 31.0322
Victims of Family Violence 31.0324
Assignment of Protective Payee 31.0326
Verification of Identity and Prevention of Duplicate Participation 31.00331
Additional Penalty for Continuous Failure to Cooperate 31.0355
Use of Financial Assistance 31.01261
Provision of Employment Services to Certain Nonrecipient Parents
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

§ 31.008’s source at texas​.gov