Families First/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU)

The entire MEU packet is retained for six years. Copies are made to send out packets to clients. Families First/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) is a TDHS Family Assistance Program. As a requirement of eligibility for the Families First/TANF program, customers must complete a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) requiring a 30 hour work week. If the customer is unable to commit to the work requirement, then a referral is made to the Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU). The worker will put together the customer's file or packet and mail it to the Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU), seeking an exemption from the work requirement. Once the Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU) receives the packet, additional medical records are requested and other supporting documentation is gathered. This information is used to perform a qualified evaluation of the customer's ability to meet the work requirement. When a decision is reached a Disposition Letter is prepared and mailed to the customer. The Approved Medical Exemption Unit (MEU) packets are mailed back to the corresponding county office along with all the collected information. The Denied Medical Exemption Unit (MEU) packets are transported by staff up to TDHS/Appeals & Hearings. Appeals & Hearings will hold the packets for 90 days to allow the customer an opportunity to file an Appeal. If at 90 days no appeal is filed, the Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU) packet is then mailed back to the originating county office. Before the packets are mailed or transported to Appeals & Hearings, copies are made of the Disposition Letter, MEU Decision Form, Summary Sheet, HIPAA Form, MEU Checklist and if applicable, the Physician's Statement of Critical Need in the Home and the MEU Decision of Disabled ADULT/CHILD in Home Form, maintained for 90 days by the Medical Evaluation Unit (MEU) and then destroyed.