In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Applicant” means an individual who applies for assistance under this subtitle. “Assistance” means cash payments made to a recipient. “Eligibility period” means the period of time an individual is eligible for assistance under this subtitle. “Impairment” means a medically verified mental or physical condition that renders an individual unable to work at any occupation. “Program” means the Temporary Disability Assistance Program. “Recipient” means an individual who receives, or has received, assistance under this subtitle.

There is a State–funded Temporary Disability Assistance Program in the Department. The primary purpose of the Program is to provide assistance to low–income disabled adults who are ineligible for other categories of assistance. The Program shall be: in effect in each county; and administered by the local departments in accordance with regulations that the Administration adopts.

Subject to § 5–5B–04 of this subtitle, an applicant is entitled to assistance under this subtitle if the applicant is: a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien as determined by the Administration; a resident of the State and the jurisdiction served by the local department at the time of application; unemployed; not receiving any other means–tested cash assistance; and determined, based on the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle, to have an impairment that is expected to last at least 3 months.

If an applicant has an impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, the applicant shall: pursue Supplemental Security Income; and sign an interim payment reimbursement authorization that: gives the Social Security Administration authority to mail the applicant’s payments to the Department or the local department; and authorizes the Department or local department to deduct from the payments an amount equal to the assistance granted the applicant under this subtitle. A recipient who is otherwise eligible under this subtitle may not receive assistance for more than 9 months in a 36–month period, unless the recipient: has been certified as medically disabled by a licensed health care provider on the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle; and has a pending application for Supplemental Security Income that has not been withdrawn or finally denied.

An application for assistance under this subtitle shall be made: to the local department of the county where the applicant resides; and in the form and manner that the Administration requires. An application for assistance under this subtitle shall include a medical form that: contains the name and estimated duration of the applicant’s impairment; and is signed by a licensed health care provider.

In determining whether an applicant qualifies for assistance under this subtitle, the local department shall evaluate whether the applicant meets the criteria listed under § 5–5B–03 of this subtitle. The local department shall notify the applicant of its determination under subsection (a) of this section.

The local department shall determine an eligibility period for a recipient based on the estimated duration of the impairment indicated in the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle. The eligibility period determined by the local department: may be less than the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form; and may not exceed the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form. If a local department determines that a recipient’s eligibility period is at least 3 months, but less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 9 months in a 36–month period. If the local department determines that a recipient is unlikely to recover in less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 12 months if the recipient: pursues Supplemental Security Income; and otherwise remains eligible for assistance under this subtitle. The local department may establish additional eligibility periods, each not exceeding 12 months, if the recipient: reapplies for assistance under this subtitle; maintains eligibility; and continues to pursue a Supplemental Security Income claim. The local department shall adjust the eligibility period for a recipient to be not more than 9 months in a 36–month period if the recipient: withdraws the recipient’s application for Supplemental Security Income; or is denied the Supplemental Security Income claim. Unless a recipient reapplies for assistance and the local department establishes an additional eligibility period, a recipient’s eligibility for assistance under this subtitle will automatically end at the end of the eligibility period established by the local department. If a recipient is eligible for any portion of a month, the recipient shall be eligible for the entire month.

The Governor shall provide sufficient funds in the budget to ensure that the value of the maximum monthly allowable assistance under the Program is equal to at least: for fiscal year 2020, $215; for fiscal year 2021, 74% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2021; for fiscal year 2022, 78% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2022; for fiscal year 2023, 82% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2023; for fiscal year 2024, 86% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2024; for fiscal year 2025, 90% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2025; for fiscal year 2026, 94% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2026; and for fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter, 100% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program for that fiscal year. Assistance shall be paid to the applicant monthly.

The Administration shall: supervise the administration of the Program under this subtitle by the local departments; and adopt regulations necessary or desirable to carry out this subtitle.