Although Medicaid may not find the care essential, this type of care is often essential to gaining paid employment. Substance abuse evaluations also can be covered. All three are costly, and are only authorized when the need is directly related to employment and other resources are not available. The expense must relate directly to accepting or retaining employment, or to participation in an assigned work activity. Some occupations and trades require special tools, clothing, or equipment.
Typical requests are for safety equipment, boots, or gloves.
This supportive service can also include appropriate business clothing for office employment. The legislature allocated additional child care funds to meet the needs of the increasing number of Temporary Assistance parents who are employed or engaged in mandated work activities. However, additional funds were not allocated to meet needs of low-wage workers who require child care assistance in order to remain in the job market. Most funding is dedicated to case management, work search and community service work. In some areas direct services such as case management, and community service work placement are purchased from local providers.