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Work eligible individuals must participate in work activities. Full-time participation is defined as at least 30 hours per week in countable work activities. While some MRA plans may not include 30 hours per week, work eligible individuals are expected to increase in participation over time.
Note: Single parents of children under 6 years of age (work registration code “L”) count in the participation rate if they complete an average of at least 20 hours per week of federal countable activities. Two parent families, where both parents are work eligible count in the participation rate if they complete an average of 35 hours per week (55 hours if receiving federally funded childcare) in federal countable activities.
An MRA- Plan of Action may reflect fewer hours due to a lack of available appropriate activities, limited supportive services, or personal limitations of the participant. Work First staff is responsible for balancing these limitations against the expectation of full time participation and the requirement to meet the Work Participation Rate. All work eligible individuals are expected to strive and make progress toward their stated goals.
Title II of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against any individual with a disability. When a participant reports a disability, the Work First caseworker must get medical documentation from the participant or licensed healthcare provider to support the disability claim. If the documentation from the participant is questionable, contact the licensed healthcare provider. Ensure that a valid consent form is signed by the participant prior to contacting the licensed healthcare provider. The healthcare provider may limit the participant’s work activities to less than 30 hours a week. If this happens, the MRA Plan of Action should reflect the activities the healthcare provider verified as within the capabilities of the participant. Follow up with the participant and provider to ensure the participant’s success in increasing participation over time.
Individuals with a disability must be afforded the opportunity to participate in or benefit from services in the Work First Program. Individuals with disabilities must be afforded the opportunity to receive an individualized assessment of their skills, which must guide the development of the MRA Plan of Action. The MRA Plan of Action must reflect the reasonable accommodations made to support the individual in job placement, education, skills training, employment, or other activities. Agencies must take steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate in all programs and services and not those designed solely for individuals with disabilities.
While all adults are encouraged to look for work and maintain employment, most adults receiving Work First Family Assistance are subject to the work requirements. These individuals are referred to as “work eligible individuals” and mandatory for Employment Services and are included in the work participation rate. The following individuals are exempt from the work requirement:
1. Adults receiving cash assistance for a child only (Not included in the case):
a. A non-recipient relative, other than a parent, living with a child receiving assistance,
b. An immigrant who is ineligible for Work First Family Assistance due to immigration status,
c. A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient.
2. Single custodial parents with a child under 12 months of age. (This exemption is limited to 12 months lifetime. Counties may further limit this exemption as specified in their County Work First Plan/Checklist);
3. Individuals with “child” family status (youth up to age 18 and not an emancipated minor); and
4. A parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home.
A family member is defined as an individual that is related to the work eligible participant. The family member must have a mental, physical or emotional disability that substantially reduces the individual’s ability to care for himself. This circumstance must be documented by a written statement from a licensed health care provider which substantiates the need for the disabled individual to be cared for in the home.
The statement should include an indication of the length of time that the condition requiring care in the home is expected to last. The worker must reassess the situation at the end of the time indicated by the healthcare provider or at a minimum of every three months. The information must be documented in the case file. When it is determined that the work eligible individual is no longer needed in the home to care for the family member, the individual resumes “work eligible” status.
Document each individual's work registration code to indicate whether they are subject to the work requirement. Refer to the Work First User Manual for instructions on coding individuals in EIS.
Use the Income Maintenance Transmittal Form (DSS-8194) to communicate information regarding Work First participants to other departments within the county agency. Maintain a copy of the DSS-8194 in the case file.
Participants’ attendance information must be collected and reviewed as instructed in Section 118. The caseworker is responsible for monitoring the participant’s supervision and documentation requirements for participation in the work activities. In addition, caseworkers are expected to monitor participants’ compliance on a monthly basis.
If the caretaker in a Work First Benefits (Payment Type 2) case fails to meet their work requirements, the caseworker will evaluate if there is good cause. If the caseworker determines there is good cause for failure to meet the requirements, 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.
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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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