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The Mutual Responsibility Agreement outlines and describes the caretaker’s specific Work First responsibilities and how the agency will provide assistance to the family. It includes the Core Requirements (DSS-6963a), and the MRA -Plan of Action (DSS-6963b). These documents are developed jointly by the caretaker and the Work First caseworker.
During the development of the MRA, the caseworker should discuss with the caretaker any issues such as school attendance or immunizations that could become a source of non-compliance at a later date. If appropriate, the caseworker should help the caretaker in identifying local agencies and community resources that may be able to provide assistance.
All caretakers, including those who are not yet subject to the 24-month time clock, are encouraged to look for work and plan for how they will become self sufficient.
1. All children who receive assistance must receive their immunizations and have regular health screenings;
2. All children who receive assistance must attend school according to school attendance policy;
3. Minor parents must live with a parent or an approved adult and attend school according to school attendance policy;
4. Caretakers must cooperate with Child Support Enforcement in the establishment, enforcement and modification of support orders for all children in their care, who receive assistance;
5. Caretakers must keep all scheduled appointments with their Work First caseworker(s); and
6. Caretakers must contact the Work First caseworker if a change occurs in their situation within 10 calendar days of knowing of the change.
The Plan of Action is used for any Work First requirements that are not part of the Core Requirements. This includes, for example, keeping an appointment with a Qualified Professional in Substance Abuse (QPSA) because of a positive screen on the AUDIT/DAST-10 and or the Substance Abuse Behavioral Indicator Checklist, job search, financial counseling, other types of counseling, keeping appointments with and participation in vocational rehabilitation activities, etc.
The goal of the MRA Plan of Action (DSS-6963b) is to ensure the caretaker understands Work First requirements and their responsibilities. The MRA Plan of Action is the caretaker’s individualized plan to achieve self sufficiency and eliminate the need for Work First cash assistance. The information and goals from the assessment(s) are used to develop the MRA Plan of Action. (See Section 117, Ongoing Assessment and Services)
The MRA Plan of Action includes:
1. Employment goals;
2. A description of a plan for participating in work activities designed to achieve the stated goals;
3. A description of the case management and support services that will be provided to help the family become self-sufficient within two years; and
4. A description of the number of hours, types of activities and reasonable accommodations needed for individuals with a disability.
In addition to the above, the caseworker must explain to the family:
The caretaker(s) must sign the MRA to be eligible for and receive Work First. The caretaker or payee must sign the MRA at application, which indicates the family’s agreement to comply with program requirements. Both caretakers in a two-parent family must sign the MRA. If only one parent comes in to apply, give the parent the MRA for the second parent to sign, and establish a deadline of at least 10 calendar days for its return. If it is not signed by the second parent by the deadline, deny the application. Evaluate the family members for Medicaid.
Re-evaluate, sign, and date the MRA Core Requirements (DSS-6963a) at each review and change in the family's circumstances. Families are responsible for providing information to substantiate compliance with their MRA. The MRA Plan of Action may be updated or revised as often as appropriate but no less frequently than every 12 weeks. Frequent review of the MRA Plan of Action is encouraged.
Signing the MRA, including updates and revisions is an eligibility requirement for Work First. A family is not eligible for Work First cash assistance unless the caretaker(s) signs the MRA.
1. At Application
If a caretaker does not sign the MRA at application, deny the application and evaluate the family members for Medicaid.
2. Ongoing Cases
a. Payment Type 1 (Child Only) cases – If a caretaker in a Child Only case fails, without good cause, to sign the MRA, the family is ineligible for WFFA for at least one month. A timely notice is required. If the caretaker signs the MRA before the timely notice expires, there is not a penalty. Once the timely notice expires, the family must reapply if they wish to receive WFFA. Upon reapplication, the caseworker must verify that the family missed at least one WFFA payment. The family can not receive WFFA for the month following the last month in which they received a WFFA payment.
b. Payment Type 2 (Work First Benefits) cases – If the caretaker fails to sign the MRA without good cause, the family is ineligible for WFFA. The caseworker will not issue the payment for the month in which the caretaker failed to sign the MRA. Evaluate and transfer the case to Medicaid. The family may re-apply for WFFA at any time but may not be approved until the month following the missed payment.
When terminating the WFFA payment for failure to sign the MRA, authorize the children in the case for Medicaid for the remainder of their 12 months of continuous eligibility. If there are no other known changes that affect eligibility, authorize the caretaker for MAF-C for the remainder of the payment review period or two months whichever is greater.
3. At Review
If the caretaker does not sign the MRA in the last month of the review period and the review was completed, transfer the case to MAF-C for the remainder of the payment review period or 2 months whichever is greater.
If the review was not completed, transfer the children to MIC and evaluate the caretaker for ongoing Medicaid.
If the children’s 12 months have expired, and/or if eligibility cannot be determined for either the children or the caretaker, transfer for one month to MAF-C.
When a family fails, without good cause, to comply with the terms and conditions of their MRA, a penalty is applied to their Work First case.
1. Payment Type 1 (Child Only) cases – If a caretaker in a Child Only case fails, without good cause, to comply with the MRA (either Core Requirements or Plan of Action, as appropriate), the family is ineligible for WFFA, for at least one month. Refer to Section 120 for further information.
2. Payment Type 2 (Work First Benefits) cases – If a caretaker fails to comply with requirements of their MRA, the caseworker will evaluate if there is good cause. If the caseworker determines there is good cause for failure to meet the MRA requirements, including hours of participation, the caseworker will issue the Work First payment. If there is not good cause, the payment will not be issued. The caseworker is to evaluate and transfer the case to Medicaid after the first month of non-compliance.
The participant is responsible for providing documentation supporting the reasons for failure to comply with their MRA.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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