Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/october2006/final/10%20DE%20Reg%20706%2010-01-06.htm
Timestamp: 2018-12-13 18:29:23
Document Index: 537473782

Matched Legal Cases: ['§3009', '§3011', '§261', '§261', '§3001', '§3006', '§3006', '§3006', '§3006', '§3001', '§3009', '§3009', '§3011', '§3011', '§3011', '§3031', '§3031', '§3031', '§3031', '§ 261']

10 DE Reg 706 10-01-06
Delaware Health and Social Services ("Department") / Division of Social Services initiated proceedings to provide information of public interest with respect to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment and Training Program. The Department's proceedings were initiated pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10114 and its authority as prescribed by 31 Delaware Code Section 512.
The Department published its notice of public comment pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10115 in the August 2006 Delaware Register of Regulations, requiring written materials and suggestions from the public concerning the proposed regulations to be produced by August 31, 2006 at which time the Department would receive information, factual evidence and public comment to the said proposed changes to the regulations.
The purpose of these changes to existing policy is due to the new interim final regulations that mandate states meet stricter participation requirements. Changes were also made to simplify the sanctioning process.
3) Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) 3006.1, 3006.2, 3006.3, 3009.1, 3011, 3011.3,3031, 3031.1, and 3031.2.
Additional changes were made to existing policies due to compliance with the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), interim final rules.
The DRA requires that the States implement this legislation by October 1, 2006. For this reason new language has been added to the regulation text as well as grammatical changes, where necessary.
The Disabilities Law Program (DLP), Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. and the State Council for Physical Disabilities (SCPD), the Poverty Law Program of the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. and the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (DDDC), offered the following observations and recommendations summarized below. DSS has considered each comment and responds as follows.
The DLP recognizes that certain changes in Delaware's TANF Employment and Training program are mandated by changes in the federal welfare reform law. The DLP supports the comments submitted by Community Legal Aide Society, Inc.'s poverty program and offers the following comments to highlight areas in which the Department's proposed amendments may adversely impact people with disabilities.
1. Voluntary Employment and Training Program Participation with Reasonable Accommodations for People with Disabilities
Section 3006.2.1 of the proposed amendment lists the groups who "must participate in work related activities." Section 3006.3 states that "individuals deemed unable to work because they are physically or mentally disabled" will be referred to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. While the DLP supports the continued exemption for people who are unable to meet the employment and training program requirements as a result of a disability, the DLP also recognizes that there are people with disabilities who wish to participate in the Department's employment and training program. As a result of their disabilities, however, these recipients may be unable to comply with all of the employment and training program rules without reasonable accommodations. For example, a person with a disability may be unable to work the mandated 30 hours per week for single parent families. A person caring for a family member with a disability may face similar limitations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require the Department to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities in these and similar circumstances. The U.S. Department of Health and Social Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued guidance for state TANF programs in this area.
The DLP recommends that the Department adopt additional language to clarify that while people with disabilities may be unable to engage in activities necessary for work and thus are deemed "unemployable, "these recipients have the option of voluntarily participating in the Employment and Training program with reasonable accommodations. Any of the Employment and Training program rules may be modified where necessary as a reasonable accommodation for a physical or mental disability.
Agency Response: DSS currently allows all TANF recipients to volunteer for the Employment and Training program including individuals with disabilities who may otherwise be exempt. DSS agrees with adding the additional language regarding the availability of reasonable accommodations throughout the applicant and recipient process. See section 3006.1.
2. Assessment and Identification of People with Disabilities, Including Undiagnosed or "Hidden" Disabilities
The proposed amendments refer to the identification of barriers to employment, including, presumably, disabilities. For example, §3009 states in part that "[u]nder TANF, the client and worker must become partners in efforts to surmount any and all obstacles to success. While it is expected that the client verbalize any difficulties s/he may have or expect to have in meeting TANF requirements, the worker also has a duty to do whatever s/he can elicit from the client any information needed to identify and overcome hurdles." Section 3010.2.1 defines the Family Development Profile as "an assessment tool used to identify possible social, family, and emotional barriers to self-sufficiency as they affect an individual's ability to obtain and retain employment" and provides that it is a "mandatory assessment tool for all adult and teen TANF recipients."
Without additional information, the DLP cannot comment specifically on the Department's current practices and assessment tools in this area. The DLP recommends that the Department train its workers and utilize assessment tools that appropriately identify disability-related barriers to employment, recognizing the prevalence of disabilities among TANF recipients, including many disabilities that are not readily apparent. For example, studies indicate that one-fourth to one-third of TANF recipients have a serious mental health problem; more than one-fifth have physical impairments; more than one-fifth have learning disabilities; and, more than one-fifth have low intelligence. See Eileen P. Sweeney, "HHS Guidance Explains How Federal Laws Barring Discrimination Against People with Disabilities Apply in State and County TANF Programs," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Feb. 26, 2001; Eileen P. Sweeney, "Recent Studies Indicate that Many Parents Who Are Current or Former Welfare Recipients Have Disabilities or Other Medical Conditions," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Feb. 29, 2000.
Failure to comply with TANF requirements results in serious penalties. See §§3011.2, 3011 and 3031.
DLP recommends that the Department adopt language clarifying that while efforts to identify disability-related barriers to employment should be on-going, these issues should be assessed as early as possible in the case. For example, it is preferable to examine whether an adult is "unemployable" prior to imposing sanctions, rather than taking steps to remove the sanction after the fact.
An appropriate effective assessment of disability-related barriers to employment becomes all the more important given the Department's proposal to require two weeks of employment and training participation prior to the authorization of benefits. The DLP recommends that the Department adopt language recognizing the existence of disability-related barriers prior to referring applicants to employment and training activities. The Department should include language to clarify that applicants who meet the definition of "unemployable" on the basis of a physical or mental disability will be exempt from the two week participation requirement. The Department also should reiterate that it will provide reasonable accommodations where necessary to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities.
Agency Response: DSS agrees that efforts to identify disability related barriers to employment should be an on-going process, and assessed as early as possible. DSS requires an assessment prior to the referral to the Employment and Training contractor. The new Employment and Training contracts will require that the Employment and Training contractors assess all individuals to identify barriers to employment. In addition, DSS is in the planning process to develop a medical review process to identify, and evaluate individuals with disabilities to ensure appropriate service delivery.
3. Satisfactory School Attendance Should Account for Absences of Children with Disabilities for Disability-Related Reasons
Section 3012 provides for sanctions for "unsatisfactory school attendance." If the child's school does not define "acceptable" attendance, the Department will consider an 85% attendance rate as satisfactory.
Children who are enrolled in school full-time may not necessarily attend school full-time for reasons beyond their control. For example, a child with a disability may miss a significant number of days due to health problems or medical appointments. That child's parent consequently may be unavailable to participate in the required number of work hours per week because the parent needs to attend to the child's disability-related needs.
The DLP recommends that the Department clarify that sanctions for unsatisfactory school attendance will not be imposed if the child misses school for reasons related to disability.
Agency Response: DSS agrees that unsatisfactory school attendance that may result from disability related issues should be evaluated. Current policy allows for good cause determinations prior to implementing a sanction. Unsatisfactory school attendance due to verifiable disability related issues would be considered good cause.
SCPD, DDDC
As background, the impetus for the amendments is the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. The Act prompted issuance of a 30-page set of federal HHS interim final rules which were effective June 29, 2006. See 71 Fed. Reg. 37453 (June 29, 2006). Consistent with the attached articles, the federal regulations are designed to impose stricter requirements on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program.
First, Section 3001, Pars. M and N contain some outdated language that could be improved. For example, "able-bodies parents" suggests that the standard applies only to persons with physical as juxtaposed to mental impairments. This is misleading. See also reference to "able-bodied children" in Section 3006. Contrast Section 3006.3 reference to "physically or mentally disabled". Similarly, the term "incapacitated" is ostensibly a stricter standard than the term "disabled work-eligible individual" in the new federal regulation, 45 C.F.R. §261.24(a)(2).
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comment regarding work-eligible individuals and will be adding this to the list of definitions in section 3001. Additionally, the word "Able-Bodied" is deleted in section 3006.1.
Second, there is a typo in the example at the top of p. 290. The reference should be "meet a 50% work participation rate" rather than "meet at 50% participation rate".
Agency Response: DSS agrees. The reference is changed to a.
Third, Section 3006.2 contains the following exemption: "Single custodial parents with a child under 12 months of age are able to receive an exemption from Employment and Training requirements for a total of 12 months of their lifetime." The federal regulation authorizes states to adopt this exemption as an option. See 45 C.F.R. §261.22(c). DSS may wish to consider omitting the "lifetime" restriction.
Fourth, Section 3006.4, sixth bullet, limits job search and job search readiness activities to six (6) weeks. Consider with the attached excerpt from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), Analysis of New Interim Final TANF Rules, at 7, Delaware is one of 30 states which meet HHS criteria for adopting a twelve (12) week standard. DSS may wish to consider this option.
Fifth, Section 3006.4 refers to credit for "study time" based on "the Blevins bill". The new federal regulations ostensibly limit counting "study time" to supervised or monitored study hours. See attached CBPP analysis at pp. 12-15, 18. DSS may wish to consider whether this new requirement should be reflected in Section 3006.4.
Sixth, Section 3009 contains sanction standards. The philosophy here is somewhat harsh, i.e., the sequence of penalties is applied to maximize the cumulative effects of sanctions. For example, Section 3009.3 recites as follows:
The order in which sanctions are imposed is important because we cannot sanction a closed case. If a client has both an enhanced family function and a self-sufficiency sanction for the same period it is important to make sure the enhanced family sanction that reduces the TANF grant is imposed prior to the self-sufficiency sanction that closes the case.
To the extent DSS enjoys some discretion in this context; it may wish to consider a less rigid approach to imposing cumulative sanctions which maximize the overall penalty on the family.
Seventh, Section 3011.1 deletes a reference to good cause for termination of employment. Literally, this creates some tension with Section 3011 which contemplates good cause for termination of employment. Literally, Section 3011.1 would not allow termination of employment even if an employee is severely injured on the job, subjected to sexual harassment, or at risk of death or health impairment due to conditions (e.g. asbestos; heat) and irrespective of medical opinion.
Eighth, Section 3011.3 refers to failure to maintain work activities as an "offense". This term connotes a violation of criminal law. It would be preferable to refer to a "sanctionable event".
Ninth, Section 3012 does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences from school. Children with disabilities may be absent for many days due to surgeries or conditions (e.g., sickle cell anemia). The focus should be on unexcused absences rather than a simple 85% attendance figure which does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comments regarding sections 3006, 3006.3, 3006.2, 3006.4, 3009, 3009.3, 3011.1, 3011.3 and 3012 and will take them under consideration.
In addition to the points below, the Poverty Law Program supports the comments already submitted by the Disabilities Law Program of the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
1. §3001
The definition of "good cause" for quitting should not be eliminated. In addition to the examples of "on the job discrimination" and "health and/or safety risk" which should be retained, other examples should be added, such as "lack of adequate day care" and "lack of transportation." These are the most frequent reasons we hear that clients had to leave jobs. Another example that should be added would be "domestic violence" which could affect the ability to keep a job either because the abuser will not allow the victim to work or because the victim is not safe at a job where the abuser knows where to find her. This definition should state specifically that "good cause" applies to all Delaware TANF requirements.
This definition uses the phrase "quits a job without good reason." The word "reason" should be changed to "cause" so that it matches the term that is defined.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comments in section 3001. The definitions for "Good Cause" and "Sanction" have been revised.
2. §3006
While no changes are proposed to this section, we would suggest adding on to the second sentence so that it reads "The Division maintains that the way for persons to avoid TANF dependency is for them to find and maintain employment and to develop marketable job skills through education and training."
3. §3006.2
We commend the Division for defining the teen parent participation requirement as including "[e]lementary, secondary, post-secondary, vocational, training school, and participation in GED program." Our comment here is grammatical. There should be a period after the word "work" and before the word "If."
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the support. Grammar is corrected.
The Division should consider an additional paragraph to specify that Delaware's Temporary for Needy Families (TANF) Program will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Services Act. This paragraph should state that persons who have disabilities who are working or participating in work related activities for a minimum number of hours that they are able to do will be counted as fully participating even if the number of hours completed is less than what would be required for a similarly situated non-disabled person, as a reasonable accommodation under the above mentioned federal laws.
4. §3006.3
We reference and will not repeat the comments made by our DLP regarding services and procedures for persons with disabilities. We fully support the comments made by our DLP.
A second sentence should be added to the second paragraph that states that "the Division will require TANF contractors to offer referrals for employment and training activities offered by the state and private entities.
5. §3006.4
The terms "nursing or nursing assistant activities" should be defined. We think you are describing a person who is not a nurse but is caring for someone with a disability, which we commend. However, the terms should be defined here or in §3001 to be clear.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comments regarding sections 3001, 3006, 3006.2, 3006.3, 3006.4 and will take them under consideration.
6. §3009
We are concerned with the sixth paragraph of this section which discusses the need for workers to respond quickly with clients who have a clear understanding yet fail to meet obligations. There is no comparable statement to address what happens when clients do not have a clear understanding of the program and thus fail to meet obligations. The Division needs to recognize that some of the people in the TANF program will have cognitive impairments that will negatively affect the ability to comply with the complex TANF rules.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comments regarding section 3009 and recognizes that individuals with disabilities may have difficulties understanding and meeting the requirements. To identify as many individuals with disabilities as possible DSS requires an assessment prior to the referral to the Employment and Training contractor. The new Employment and Training contracts will require that the Employment and Training contractors assess all individuals to identify barriers to employment. In addition, DSS is in the planning process to develop a medical review process to identify, and evaluate individuals with disabilities to ensure appropriate service delivery.
7. §3009.1 (3)
We applaud the Division for considering the school attendance requirement cured if the parent is otherwise compliant and working with the school to improve attendance, even if the child does not return to school. This recognizes the reality of parent and controlling a teenager.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the support.
We similarly applaud the Division for allowing a teen to return to the TANF case after school attendance is improved.
We note that in subparagraph (2) the Division twice uses the term "mother" to refer to a parent. The Division should probably substitute the word "parent" as is used earlier in this section or even substitute "adult in assistance unit" for both "mother" and "parent" in this section, since not every assistance unit is headed by a mother or even a parent.
Agency Response: For section 3009.1, subparagraph (2) and changes "mother" to "caretaker" as used earlier in this section.
8. §3011.1
This section would be more consistent and clear if the last word of the first sentence was "hours" instead of "amounts." This is what we believe is intended. If "hours" is not what is intended, the sentence should be rewritten to be more clear.
The Division should not remove the indicated phrase from the second sentence. The regulations need to be clear that some TANF participants will have "good cause" for termination a job, as defined under section 3001. The failure of the Division to allow for "good cause" reasons for failing to keep a job could open the State to legal challenges for failing to provide due process and failing to accommodate person with disabilities.
Agency Response: DSS appreciates the comments regarding section 3031 and will take them under consideration.
9. §3011.2
We applaud the elimination of the "3 strikes and you're out" sanction system.
10. §3011.3
The Division should state that noncash assistance will be provided during the four consecutive weeks of compliance during the cure period. Such noncash assistance should include child care assistance, transportation assistance, and emergency assistance in the form of vendor payments for rent and utilities. Many TANF participants will not be able to participate for four weeks without child care and transportation assistance. Emergency assistance should also be available to participants actively curing the sanction so that families are not further destabilized, such as homelessness, as they return to a road to self-sufficiency.
The Division should also provide a retroactive cash benefit for the four weeks of compliance. This will help the family get on their feet and avoid violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act if the compliance required participation in the Work for your Welfare program.
Finally, the Division should allow families subject to the lifetime sanction under the prior policy to cure the sanction under the new regulations. Our office have begun to see people who allowed their cases to close subject to the lifetime ban because they did not fully understand it and/or because they had found employment or family to help them at that time. A lifetime ban is unduly harsh, considering the nature of the TANF program and the minimal cash assistance it provides. Even criminals who commit far worse crimes than noncompliance with TANF program requirements are given another chance once they serve their prison terms. Four weeks of compliance should satisfy the Division that a participant is serious about complying with program rules this time.
Agency Response: DSS intends to provide non-cash assistance during the required two week of pre-participation as well as during the 4 week sanctioning process. DSS intends to give retroactive payment for the completion of the two-week pre-participation. DSS does not plan on giving retroactive payments if an individual complies with the 4-week sanction. This would not be in violation of the Fair Labor Standards act since the individual receives the TANF assistance from the first of the month. The sanction will be applied when an individual has not completed the requirements in a month that they have already received a TANF check.
11. §3031
The Division should specifically state that noncash assistance will be provided during the initial two week period after a family applies for TANF assistance. Such noncash assistance should include child care assistance and transportation assistance. Many TANF applicants will not be able to participate for two weeks without child care and transportation assistance. The Division should also provide a two week retroactive cash benefit once the case is opened.
The phrase "approved employment related activities" is not defined throughout this section. A definition or list of approved activities would be helpful.
Work for your Welfare hours should be based upon the Delaware State minimum wage, not the federal, as cited in the third paragraph.
The provisions of §§3031.1 and 3031.2 that close TANF cases when work for your welfare hours are not completed would appear to violate the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). FLSA is the reason that the number of hours is determined by dividing the cash and food stamp grants by the state minimum wage. The Division recognizes that FLSA is violated if the hours a family must work for their cash and food stamp grants exceeded what that family would be paid under the minimum wage for the same hours of work. If a family works partial hours under the work for your welfare program but has their case closed as a sanction, FLSA would similarly be violated because the family would be paid nothing for hours they worked. This regulation should be changed.
12. §3031.2
This section is also troubling because it closes the case of a two-parent household if just one parent fails to comply. In addition to the FLSA violation described above, this provision fails to recognize that the compliant parent may not have control over the noncompliant parent, particularly in the instance of domestic violence.
13. §3031.4
Again, the Division should specifically state that noncash assistance will be provided during the initial two week period after a family applies for TANF assistance. Such noncash assistance should include child care assistance and transportation assistance. Many TANF applicants will not be able to participate for two weeks without child care assistance and transportation assistance. The Division should also provide a two week retroactive cash benefit once the case is opened.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that the proposed regulation to amend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment and Training Program is adopted and shall be final effective October 10, 2006.
DSS FINAL REGULATIONS #06-44
· Health and/or safety risk;
· [Domestic violence.]
L.K. Sanction - a financial penalty for TANF client’s failure or refusal without good cause to meet her/his work Employment and Training participation requirements. If the client refuses or fails to meet work related requirements (job search, training, etc.) or quits a job without good [reason cause], for the 1st offense the penalty is 1/3 reduction of the grant; the second offense is a 2/3 reduction; and the 3rd is permanent loss of the entire grantthe client’s TANF case will be closed. If the TANF client refuses or fails to attend a Contract of Mutual Responsibility requirement (e.g., participate in parenting education) the penalty is a $50.00 reduction in the grant for each month the client refuses or fails to participate.
[P. Work-eligible individual - an adult (or minor child head-of-household) receiving assistance under TANF or a separate State program or a non-recipient parent living with a child receiving assistance (child-only cases). See exclusions below.
Q. Excluded work-eligible individuals - Child-only cases that are:
• A minor parent and not the head-of-household or spouse of the head-of-household;
• An alien who is ineligible to receive assistance due to the immigration status; or
• At state option, on a case-by-case basis, a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
Other work-eligible exclusions: A parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home, who does not attend school on a full-time basis, provided that the need for such care is supported by medical documentation.]
All adult caretakers and other adults in the assistance unit who are not exempt must participate in Employment and Training related activities. The two exemptions are: 1) a parent caring for a child under [13 weeks 12 months] of age or 2) an individual determined unemployable by a health care professional.
[Able bodied c C]hildren age 16 or older who are not attending school must participate in work or other alternative activities, e.g., GED.
[Individuals who are exempt from Employment and Training requirements can volunteer to participate in the Employment and Training Program. Individuals with disabilities will be afforded the same access and opportunities including reasonable accommodations to participate in the Employment and Training programs.]
Example: If it is determined that DSS' average monthly caseload in FY 1997 2006 was 4 percentage points lower than average monthly caseloads in FY 1996 2005, then, rather than having to meet a[t] 30% 50% work participation rate requirement in FY 1998 2006, the rate would be lowered by 4 percentage points to 26% 46%.
Single parents who are not working 30 hours a week or making an equivalent of 30 hours a week times minimum wage are required to participate in work and/or work related activities. Participation in work and work related activities must equal [of ]30 hours a week.
Two parent families who receive federally funded Purchase of Care services who are not working at least 55 hours a week or making the equivalent of 55 hours a week times minimum wage are required to participate in work and/or work related activities. Participation in work and work related activities for one parent must equal 35 hours a week. [The spouse must participate in work or work related activities equaling 20 hours a week.]
Single custodial parents with a child under 12 months of age are able to receive an exemption from Employment and Training requirements for a total of 12 months in their lifetime. These 12 months can be used any time the parent has a child less than 12 months of age. Once the youngest child reaches 12 months of age the parents are required to participate in Employment and Training. If they are already working the equivalent of their required Employment and Training Hours (20, 30, [35,] 55), the DCIS II system will code them as volunteers for Employment and Training.
Numerator: # of [TANF and SSP-MOE] families [receiving assistance that include an adult or minor head of household who is engaged in work for the requisite hours with a work-eligible-individual who meet the participation requirement for the month]
Denominator: # of [TANF and SSP-MOE] families that include [an adult or a minor child head of household receiving assistance a work-eligible individual], less # of families sanctioned in that month for failure to participate in work (for up to 3 months in preceding 12 month period), less the number of non-needy caretaker households, less the number of temporarily incapacitated households, less the number of [mothers with a child under 13 weeks old single custodial parents opting to use one of the 12 months allowable exemptions for caring for a child under one year of age. A parent can only use this exemption for a total of 12 months in their lifetime.]
• [Employable Work-eligible individuals] as defined in DSS TANF policy;
• [Employable Work-eligible] adults in the Time-Limited Temporary program;
• [Employable Work-eligible Aa]dults for whom the Contract of Mutual Responsibility specifies the employment-related activities that will be required;
• [Employable Work-eligible] adults who are not exempt because they are medically unable to participate; and
• [Employable Work-eligible] adults who are not exempt because they [are the caretaker parent of an infant under 13 weeks of age used their 12 month limit of child care for a child under one year of age].
• Unsubsidized employment[; - means full- or part-time employment in the public or private sector where the employer in not subsidized by TANF or any other public program. (A subsidy does not include employer tax credits for hiring economically disadvantaged workers.)]
• Subsidized private sector employment[; - means employment in the private sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from TANF or other public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs of employing a recipient.]
• Subsidized public sector employment[; - means employment in the private sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from TANF or other public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs of employing a recipient.
• The goal of subsidized employment is to move participants into unsubsidized employment, so duration should be limited.
• Unlike work experience, a participant is paid wages and receives the same benefits as a non-subsidized employee.
• Preamble outlines 3 subsidized models:
1. Work supplementation where TANF funds that would otherwise be paid as assistance is paid to employer;
2. Third party contractor, like a temporary staffing agency, serves as employer of record and is paid a fee to cover salary, expenses and success in placing employees; and
3. Supported work for individuals with disabilities in an integrated setting.]
• Work experience (including work associated with refurbishing of publicly assisted housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available[; - means a work activity, performed in return for welfare, that provides an individual with an opportunity to acquire the general skills, training, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain employment. The purpose of work experience is to improve the employability of those who cannot find unsubsidized employment. This activity must be supervised by an employer, work site sponsor, or other responsible party on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.
• Participants receive TANF assistance/benefits, not wages.
• May be considered an “employee” under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) broad definition. If so, participants must be compensated at the minimum wage and overtime rules apply. (See §§ 261.31-32 below for new flexibility in counting hours subject to FLSA.)
• TANF assistance/benefits that work experience participants receive are not considered wages for Social Security purposes, or taxable income for purposes of the Federal income tax, or the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
• A State may consider a work-experience participant to be an “employee” for purposes of worker’s compensation.]
• On the job training[; - means training in the public or private sector given to a paid employee while he or she is engaged in productive work and that provides knowledge and skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job.
• States may subsidize the employer to offset training costs.
• OJT must be supervised daily.
• Supported employment may be counted as OJT, if it includes significant on-site training in the skills and knowledge essential to job performance.]
• Job search and job search readiness (six week limit)[; - means the act of seeking or obtaining employment, preparation to seek employment, including life skills training, and substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or rehabilitation activities for those who are otherwise employable. Such treatment or therapy must be determined to be necessary and certified by a qualified medical or mental health professional. Job search and job readiness activities must be supervised by the TANF agency or other responsible party on an ongoing basis no less than daily.
• The “job search” aspect includes looking for suitable job openings, making contact with potential employers, applying for vacancies and interviewing for jobs.
• Job readiness assistance comprises of two activities:
1. Preparing an individual to obtain employment, such as preparing a resume or job application, interviewing skills, instruction in work place expectations and life skills; and
2. Substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or rehabilitation activities for those who are otherwise employable.
• A State may only count an individual’s actual hours of participation in treatment or rehabilitation activities.
• If a portion of the treatment or rehabilitation service meets a common-sense definition of another work activity, then the hours associated with that activity may count under the appropriate category, such as work experience.
• For purposes of the 6-week limitation (no more than 4 consecutive weeks), a week consists of 7 consecutive days.]
• Community service programs[; - means structured programs and embedded activities in which TANF recipients perform work for the direct benefit of the community under the auspices of public or nonprofit organizations. Community service programs must be limited to projects that serve a useful community purpose in fields such as health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, and child care. Community service programs are designed to improve the employability or recipients not otherwise able to obtain employment and must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less than daily. A State agency shall take into account, to the extent possible, the prior training, experience, and skills of a recipient in making appropriate community service assignments.
• Family- and self-improvement activities that do not provide a direct benefit to the community may not be counted as community service, including substance abuse treatment, mental health and family violence counseling, life skills and parenting classes, job readiness instruction and caring for a disabled household family member.
• Community service programs may not include activities that meet the definition of another allowable TANF work activity.
• Programs must include structured activities that both provide a community service and also improve the employability of participants.
• Excluded are unstructured and unsupervised activities such as helping a neighbor or friend, and foster parenting.
Participants may be considered an “employee” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) broad definition. If so, participants must be compensated at the minimum wage and overtime rules apply]
• Vocational educational programs (not to exceed 12 months);[; - means organized educational programs that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring training other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.
• Vocational educational training must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less than daily. Vocational education does not include basis and remedial education, education in English proficiency, and postsecondary education.
• Unsupervised homework time may not count; however structured and monitored study sessions which can be documented may be counted.
• Vocational education must be provided by education or training organizations, such as vocational-technical schools, community colleges, postsecondary institutions and proprietary schools, etc.]
• Job skills training directly related to employment[; - means training or education for job skills required by an employer to provide an individual with the ability to obtain employment or to advance or adapt to the changing demands of the workplace. Job skills training directly related to employment must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.
• Barrier removal activities, such as substance abuse counseling and treatment, may not be included.]
• Education directly related to employment for a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or equivalent[; - means education related to a specific occupations, job, or job offer. Education directly related to employment must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.
• May also include adult basic education and ESL, and where required as a prerequisite for employment education leading to a General Educational Development (GED) or high school equivalency diploma.
• Participants should make “good or satisfactory progress” in terms of grades and completion timeframes under the standards of the institution.
• [Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or certificate of general equivalence;]
• [Satisfactory school attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate - means regular attendance, in accordance with the requirements of the secondary school or course of study, at a secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate. This activity must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.
• To count, participants should make “good or satisfactory progress” in terms of grades and timeframes under the standards of the institution.
• May not include other related educational activities, such as adult basic education or language instruction.
• Unsupervised homework time may not count.]
• [The provision of child care services to an individual participating in a community service program;]
• [Providing child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program - means providing child care to enable another TANF recipient to participate in a community service program. This activity must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.]
• Regular school attendance or appropriate alternative activity (e.g., training or employment) for dependent children and minor parents[; .]
• [Nursing or nursing assistant activities performed without pay are considered work experience.]
Students who do not meet the Blevins Bill requirements in section 3006.6 can receive 1.5 hours of study time for each credit hour if the education or training class requires homework and study time to be completed outside of class time. A 3-credit course would equal 7.5 hours of participation. (3 + (3 x 1.5) = 7.5. [Study hours must be supervised to count towards participation.]
2. The penalty for failure to comply with teen responsibility requirements for a child under 16 years of age is a $68 50 reduction in the grant, if the teen does not comply, . and an additional $68 if If the caretaker does not work with the appropriate agencies to remedy the situation, an additional $50 penalty continues each month until the [mother caretaker] works with the appropriate agency, the child returns to school or the [grand grant] reduces to zero. The only way to cure the sanction is for the [mother caretaker] to work with the appropriate agency and/or the child returns to school. If the child does not return to school but [t]he[ mother caretaker]has been working with he appropriate agency then the sanction can be lifted.
DSS expects [employable work-eligible] adults to participate in either employment or activities related to finding work (e.g., employment and training activities) for [the required number of hours] 30 [, 35, or 55] hours a week for two consecutive weeks prior to TANF benefits to being authorized. The TANF benefit will continue uninterrupted as long as the participation in work or work activities continues for the required number of hours per week (see section 3006.2). Either an employable adult is working or is participating in activities to secure employment. DSS also expects caretakers to cooperate as necessary with school and other officials to ensure satisfactory school attendance by dependent children under age 16. The failure of clients to maintain any of these activities represent sanctionable offenses, which are components of the self-sufficiency requirements.
Clients who have secured employment are expected to continue employment [unless they have good cause for terminating a job (see Good Cause definition under 3001 Definitions)] and participate in approved employment and training activities.
[The penalty for individuals who quit their jobs without good cause and do not comply with subsequent job search requirements will be the closure of the TANF case for one month or until the individual obtains a job of equal or higher pay. If the individual participates for the required amount of hours in approved work related activities for four consecutive weeks the case can be reopened.]
Clients must keep appointments with Employment and Training staff, complete the Employability Development Plan and follow through with the recommendations of the Employment and Training staff for a minimum period of one month, including four two weeks consecutive weeks of [the required amount of hours for that household] 30 [, 35, or 55] hours of participation.
EXAMPLE: A client fails to keep her initial appointment with Employment and Training staff, and to meet the required hours of participation and is sanctioned. In order to cure this sanction, the client must not only keep her appointment with Employment and Training staff, but must also keep her appointment with DOL contact the Employment and Training staff, and follow through with her DOL work activity for 30[, 35, or 55] hours a week (client’s required hours) for a minimum period of two four consecutive weeks before the sanction is considered cured.
All two-parent households, who are without employment, must enter a Work For Your Welfare activity to qualify for benefits. Single adult recipients, who reach their 22nd month of benefit and are without employment, and all eligible applicants on or after 01/01/2000, must enter a Work For Your Welfare activity to qualify for benefits. Additionally, all TANF recipients who are employed must have regular earnings of the current [federal state] minimum wage at twenty-five hours per week. (The current [federal state] minimum wage is [$5.15 $6.15] per hour, which at [25 30] hours per week equals [$128.75 $184.50] per week earnings.) A person who is employed but not earning at least the equivalent of the current [federal state] minimum wage at twenty-five thirty hours per week will be considered mandatory for Work for Your Welfare. A contracted worker must receive his or her wages on a regular basis to be exempted from this requirement.
Work for Your Welfare is defined as a work experience [or community service] program [that is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act for minimum wage requirements] in which participants work to earn their benefits. In addition, DSS requires each participant to complete 10 hours of job search activity approved employment related activities per week. The failure to complete job search the required 10 hours of approved activities as required will result in a progressive 1/3 sanction full family sanction, closing the entire TANF case. For two parent households, one parent must participate in the work for your welfare program in order to earn benefits. The second parent, unless exempt, must also participate in required employment related activities as defined by DSS and the DSS contractor.
[A work-eligible individual who participates in a work experience or community service program that is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage requirements cannot be required to participate in that work activity for more hours than the value of the welfare grant and food stamps divided by the minimum wage. Individuals or families who complete the required workfare calculated hour of participation under the minimum wage requirement of the FLSA will have satisfied the 20-hour per week core activity requirement, if the calculated participation hours fall short of 20 hours per week.]
10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)(Final)