reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.360 - Notification of Court Imposed Disqualification

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
If a court finds an individual guilty of an Intentional Program
				Violation (IPV), a written notice shall be sent before the period of
				disqualification, whenever possible. This notice shall inform the member of the
				disqualification.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.365 - Overturned Intentional Program Violation (IPV) Disqualification

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
In cases where a determination of an IPV is overturned or
				reversed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the Department shall reinstate
				the individual in the assistance unit if otherwise eligible. The Department
				shall restore any benefits that were lost as a result of the
				disqualification.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.400 - Delivery of Benefits

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
Requirement.
The monthly grant is paid to the grantee
			 in two installments. These installments and any retroactive or additional
			 payments are made by one of the following methods:
(1) Direct Deposit to his or her bank account
			 as provided in
			 106 CMR
			 706.410;
(2) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) as
			 provided in
			 106 CMR
			 706.420; or
(3) mailing a check as provided in 106 CMR
			 706.400(C).
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.410 - Direct Deposit

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
Requirements.
(1)
			 The grantee with an active account at a banking or financial institution shall
			 have his or her grant deposited directly to that account.
(2) The grantee who establishes an account is
			 required to cooperate with the Direct Deposit process.
Failure to meet the requirements in 106 CMR 706.410(A)(1) and
				(2) shall result in the grantee being sanctioned in accordance with 106 CMR
				706.410(D).
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.420 - Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
Requirement.
Payment of cash benefits not made through
			 Direct Deposit or check shall be made through the electronic benefit transfer
			 (EBT) method at the discretion of the Department. Refer to
			 106 CMR
			 706.400.
(B)
EBT
			 Accessibility.
Cash benefits paid through EBT shall be accessible
			 to the grantee or to an authorized payee as designated by the grantee. Refer to
			 106 CMR
			 701.370:
Authorized Payee -
			 Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
. The grantee and/or the authorized
			 payee must use his or her EBT card and personal identification number (PIN) to
			 have access to EBT for the withdrawal/debit of cash benefits.
(C)
Replacement of Electronic
			 Benefit Transfer Card (EBT)
. Replacement of a lost or stolen EBT
			 Card shall be in accordance with
			 106 CMR
			 701.450:
Electronic Benefit
			 Cards
.
(D)
Inactive EBT Accounts
. When an EBT cash benefit
			 authorization remains unaccessed for 90 consecutive days, the Department shall
			 notify the grantee that the EBT cash benefits have been expunged. These
			 expunged EBT cash benefits may be restored to the grantee within the next six
			 months upon request. The local office director or designee must approve or deny
			 the request for restoration of the expunged cash benefits. Situations when the
			 restorations may be approved include, but are not limited to:
(1) temporary absence in accordance with
			 106 CMR
			 703.360:
Temporary
			 Absence
;
(2)
			 hospitalization; or
(3) an
			 emergency that prevented the client from accessing the EBT cash benefits within
			 the 90 days.
Expunged EBT cash benefits that are not restored within the
				following six months, shall be permanently expunged.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.430 - Check Cashing Requirements

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
All parties cashing Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department
				of Transitional Assistance checks, such as banks, credit unions, check cashers,
				retailers, grocers and other financial and/or commercial entities, must verify
				that the identity of the person attempting to transact the check is that of the
				named check payee.
The check cashing party must obtain two forms of identification
				(such as a driver's license, Massachusetts ID, Social Security card or
				MassHealth card) from him or her. One document must include a
				photo-identification card.
If a photo-ID is not available, the check cashing party must
				obtain three other forms of ID. Then, the check cashing party must:
(1) Verify that the photograph on the
			 identification, if any, matches the person attempting to transact the
			 check;
(2) Write the appropriate
			 information (
e.g
., Date of Birth, Social Security Number,
			 Driver's License Number,
etc
.) taken from the three other
			 alternative IDs onto the back of the check; (3) Write the birth date of the
			 person transacting the check onto the back of the check;
(4) Verify that the signatures on the
			 alternative IDs matches that of the endorsement on the back of the check being
			 cashed; and
(5) If possible, take a
			 picture of the client transacting the check.
Failure to follow the above requirements shall result in the
				refusal by the Commonwealth to indemnify check cashing parties from any losses
				incurred by cashing Department checks.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.500 - Lost and Stolen Checks

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A) When a
			 client reports that a check is lost or has not been received, the worker must
			 determine:
(1) the address to which the check
			 was mailed; and
(2) whether or not
			 the check has been returned to the Department.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.510 - Authorization of a Replacement Check

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
			 Unless the weight of the evidence indicates that the client or his or her
			 designee has transacted the check claimed to be lost or stolen, the Department
			 must approve a request for a replacement check when:
(1) the original check is reported lost or
			 stolen and four days (including the check date) have elapsed; or
(2) the original check has been returned to
			 the Department and the client has corrected the circumstances that made the
			 check undeliverable.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.520 - Issuance of a Replacement Check

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Before issuing a replacement check, the Department
				shall:
(A) request a stop payment
			 order on the original check if the original check has not been cashed;
			 or
(B) if the original check has
			 been cashed, require the client to sign a form prescribed by the Department
			 attested that the endorsement is not his or hers.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.530 - Immediate Assistance Pending Replacement

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
If immediate assistance is needed pending the arrival of the
				replacement check, food or shelter invoices, or both, must be authorized. The
				amount of such invoices must be deducted from the amount of the replacement
				check. If the check is not subsequently replaced, the amount of such invoices
				shall be considered an overpayment. This overpayment shall be subject to the
				overpayment regulations in
				106
				CMR 706.200.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.600 - Vendor Payments

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Vendor payments are money payments made directly to a provider
				of goods and services on behalf of clients of EAEDC or TAFDC. Financial
				assistance in the form of vendor payments must be provided when:
(A) The grantee fails to meet certain TAFDC
			 eligibility requirements as provided in
			 106
			 CMR 706.610;
(B) The grantee has demonstrated an inability
			 to manage funds or a presumption of mismanagement exists as provided in
			 106
			 CMR 706.620(A);
(C) The grantee requests that vendor payments
			 be established; or
(D) Certain
			 TAFDC- or EAEDC- related benefits are authorized.
The institution of vendor payments must be approved by the
				supervisor. When vendor payments are authorized as an alternative to full,
				direct money payments, the grantee must be given the opportunity to participate
				in determining the payment plan and in the selection of the vendor, to the
				extent possible.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.610 - Vendor Payments for TAFDC Sanction Situations

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Assistance in the form of vendor payments is required when the
				grantee does not meet the requirements of:
(A) the Employment Services Program (ESP) as
			 provided in 106 CMR 707.000:
Transitional Cash Assistance Program:
			 Employment Services Program
;
(B) the Child Support Enforcement Division
			 (CSED) of the Department of Revenue as provided in 106 CMR 703.500 through
			 703.530;
(C) the Work Program as
			 provided in 106 CMR 703.150:
TAFDC Work Program
;
(D) Immunizations as provided in 106 CMR
			 703.160:
TAFDC Immunizations
;
(E) cooperation with the Department in
			 identifying and providing information that would assist the Department in
			 pursuing any third-party liability for medical services as provided in 106 CMR
			 703.540:
TAFDC Cooperation in Obtaining Third-party Liability Coverage
			 for Medical Services
;
(F)
			 teen parent school attendance as provided in 106 CMR 703.181:
TAFDC
			 Teen Parent School Attendance
; and
(G) Direct Deposit as provided in
			 106 CMR 706.410.
Vendor payments are also required when a grantee becomes
				ineligible due to a sanction.
Assistance in these cases is provided in the form of vendor
				payments to the extent possible. Any remaining portion of the grant to which
				the assistance unit is entitled must be made to the grantee.
Vendor payments may be terminated, with a return to direct
				money payment status, only when program requirements are met.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.620 - Vendor Payments for Mismanagement of Funds

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Vendor payments are required when a grantee has demonstrated an
				inability to manage funds such that the grant has not been used in the best
				interests of the child or the assistance unit. This means that the grantee has
				mismanaged funds to such an extent that allowing him or her to manage the grant
				would constitute a threat to the health or safety of the assistance unit.
				Mismanagement must last for a period of at least one month before a finding of
				financial mismanagement can be made.
When it appears that a grantee has demonstrated mismanagement
				of funds, the worker shall proceed to establish mandatory vendor payments on
				the basis of mismanagement.
When vendor payments are established on the presumption of
				financial mismanagement, the worker must refer the grantee to a social service
				agency specified by the Department for counseling. A statement of the specific
				reasons that demonstrate the need for vendor payments must be in the case
				record.
(A)
Presumption of
			 Mismanagement
. The Department reserves the right to presume
			 mismanagement when one of the following situations exists: shelter costs,
			 including, but not limited to, rent, heat, fuel, and utilities have not been
			 met.
Although other relevant considerations may be taken into
				account, the Department shall consider the following situations as exceptions
				to presumption of mismanagement.
(1)
			 The assistance unit has experienced some emergency or extraordinary event so
			 that it was appropriate for available funds not to be spent on shelter costs;
			 or
(2) The assistance unit has
			 withheld the payment for shelter costs as a reasonable exercise of consumer
			 rights when there is a legitimate dispute as to whether terms of an agreement
			 have been met.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.630 - Voluntary Vendor Payments

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
An applicant or client may, at any time, request that vendor
				payments be established. The request must be made in writing by the applicant
				or client and must be filed in the case record. Voluntary vendor payments shall
				continue until the applicant or client requests in writing that they be
				terminated.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.640 - Vendor Payments for EAEDC- or TAFDC- Related Benefits

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Vendor payments are also used to provide certain EAEDC- or
				TAFDC- related benefits. If the benefit is provided as an advance on the grant,
				the amount of the vendor payment must be deducted from the amount of the grant
				on which it was drawn.
Other benefits may be provided in addition to the TAFDC or
				EAEDC grant as provided in 106 CMR 705.00:
Transitional Assistance Cash
				Programs (TCAP): Related Benefits
.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.650 - Determination of Amount of Vendor Payments

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
A vendor payment for housing must be made in the amount of the
				rent or mortgage payment contracted for by the applicant or client.
A vendor payment for fuel or utilities must be made in the
				amount of the monthly cost of the fuel or utility averaged over a 12-month
				period, as determined by the applicant's or client's arrangement with the fuel
				or utility company.
The total amount provided by vendor payments cannot exceed the
				total amount of the grant for which the assistance unit is
				eligible.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.660 - Vendor Payments for Housing

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
When a vendor payment is made for rental housing, the worker
				must obtain written certification from the City, the Town Board of Health, or,
				if in Boston, the Inspectional Services Department, Housing Division, stating
				that the housing complies with the minimum standards for health and safety,
				established by that agency or municipality.
If the housing does not meet these requirements, vendor
				payments will not be made and the worker shall make a referral to the
				Department of Children and Families (DCF) if appropriate.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.670 - Notification of Request for Vendor Payments

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
An applicant or client must be given written notification
				whenever the Department receives a vendor's request that vendor payments for
				mismanagement be established on the basis of nonpayment of bills. If a
				presumption of mismanagement exists, or if the Department otherwise finds that
				mismanagement exists, the worker shall establish a mandatory vendor payments as
				provided in
				106 CMR
				706.620. The applicant or client must be
				given written notification of the disposition of the vendor's
				request.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.680 - Notification of Vendor Payment Status

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
Applicant or Client
			 Notification
. An applicant or client whose grant is provided, in
			 whole or in part, in the form of vendor payments must be given written
			 notification of the payment status. This notification must include the
			 requirement that the Department must provide one month notice to a vendor prior
			 to the termination of a vendor payment, the reason for the status and the right
			 to a fair hearing.
(B)
Vendor Notification
. The Department must provide
			 written notification to a vendor whenever a vendor payment is started or
			 terminated; and except as provided in
			 106 CMR
			 706.690, the Department must send written
			 notice one month in advance of the date of terminating a vendor payment.
			 However, the local office director or designee may waive this requirement under
			 certain circumstances as determined by the Department.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.690 - Exceptions to Advance Vendor Notification

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A) The Department is not required to send a
			 written notice to a vendor one month in advance of a vendor payment termination
			 when:
(1) the client has verified, by the
			 Board of Health or appropriate code enforcement authority, the existence of a
			 health and/or safety code violation;
(2) the client's assistance is
			 terminated;
(3) the client's
			 monthly grant amount is less than the amount of the vendor payment;
(4) the client has verified that the last
			 month's rent was paid as part of a lease agreement;
(5) the TAFDC client is participating in the
			 Full Employment Program as provided in 106 CMR 707.180:
Full Employment
			 Program
; or
(6) the local
			 office director or designee has waived this requirement as provided in
			 106 CMR
			 706.680(B)(2).
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.700 - Quality Control

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Quality Control is a system of continuing review designed to
				measure the accuracy of decisions on eligibility and the amount of assistance
				for TAFDC, MassHealth, SNAP benefits and EAEDC. The Division of Quality Control
				has responsibility for administering the review system.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 706.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Auxiliary Activities › Section 706.710 - Requirement of Cooperation with Quality Control Reviews

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
If a client or applicant's case is selected for a Quality
				Control review, the grantee is required to cooperate with the review process as
				a condition of continued eligibility. Cooperation includes, but is not limited
				to, a personal interview with the Quality Control reviewer and the furnishing
				of information and verifications necessary to determine eligibility and the
				amount of assistance.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.000 - ESP Overview/Participation Requirements

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
106 CMR 707.00 contains the regulations for the TAFDC
				Employment Services Program (ESP), which is administered by the Department.
TAFDC grantees, including a sanctioned or an ineligible grantee
				who is a parent, excepting an SSI parent, must participate in ESP as
				follows:
(A) If the youngest child in
			 the assistance unit (or who would be in the assistance unit but is ineligible)
			 in accordance with
			 106 CMR
			 704.305(A)(5)(a) through
			 (c), is two years of age or older the grantee
			 must participate in ESP in accordance with
			 106 CMR
			 703.150(A):
Requirements
, unless he or she is employed for the required
			 hours per week as provided in
			 106 CMR
			 703.150(A)(5).
If there are slots available in any other ESP component, the
				grantee may be required to participate in one of those components. Also, if the
				grantee is meeting his or her Work Program requirement by working for pay,
				participating in community service or in other work program activities as
				provided in
				106 CMR 703.150(A)(2)
				 or a combination of these activities, he or
				she may volunteer to participate in the Full Employment
				Program.
(B) In accordance
			 with
			 106 CMR
			 707.140, a grantee, including sanctioned and
			 ineligible grantees, must participate in the ESP Educational Component (high
			 school or high school equivalency test (HiSET) certificate program) if he or
			 she is a teen parent and has not graduated from high school or does not have a
			 HiSET certificate.
(C) A dependent
			 child 16 or 17 years of age who is not attending school must participate in
			 ESP.
(D) All other clients may
			 volunteer to participate in ESP, subject to
			 appropriations.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.100 - Introduction to Employment Services Program (ESP)/Orientation

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
TAFDC applicants and clients shall be provided with information
				about ESP. This shall include information about employment services and
				activities to help them obtain a job, ESP component requirements and
				opportunities, information on child care referral services and available
				Department transportation payments.
All applicants and clients shall be informed whether they are
				required to participate in ESP as provided in
				106 CMR 707.000, the rights
				and responsibilities associated with ESP requirements, good cause criteria
				defined by
				106 CMR
				701.380:
Good Cause
				Criteria
, and how to enroll in ESP.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.110 - Completion of an Employment Development Plan (EDP)

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
Developing an
			 EDP.
(1) An EDP will be
			 completed every year for:
(a) a grantee who
			 the Department determines must participate in an Employment Services Program
			 (ESP) component because there are available component slots;
(b) a grantee who volunteers to participate
			 in ESP;
(c) all teen parents who
			 have not graduated from high school or do not have a HiSET
			 certificate;
(d) a grantee needing
			 support services to work or to participate in ESP or in a self-initiated
			 program not funded by ESP as provided in
			 106 CMR
			 707.120;
(e) a dependent child 16 or 17 years of age
			 who is not in school and must participate in the ESP Educational
			 Component;
(f) a grantee or an
			 ineligible grantee specified in
			 106 CMR 703.150(A)(2)
			  referred to community service who:
1. volunteers to participate in community
			 service;
2. is mandated to
			 participate in community service because he or she did not meet the
			 participation requirements of another ESP component; or
3. needs support services to participate in
			 community service;
(g) a
			 grantee participating in the Full Employment Program; and
(h) any other grantee who the Department
			 determines needs an EDP.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.111 - Economic Independence Accounts

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Economic Independence Accounts shall be used to help clients
				save for the first and last month of rent, a security deposit, costs related to
				education or training or any other expense that the Commissioner determines
				will aid a client in transitioning off of benefits, which may include health
				care costs or debt reduction upon approval by the Department. The Department
				will issue procedures prior to implementation of these
				Accounts.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.115 - Program Participation

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Except as described in 106 CMR 707.170, 707.180 and 707.185,
				participation in the Employment Services Program (ESP) shall be subject to the
				requirements in 106 CMR 707.115 and available program resources.
(A) An individual who participates in ESP
			 must:
(1) attend a program
			 orientation;
(2) attend an initial
			 assessment interview;
(3) assist in
			 the development of his or her Employment Development Plan (EDP);
(4) attend reassessment interviews, when
			 required;
(5) schedule the minimum
			 hours of participation required for each ESP component activity;
(6) attend the scheduled hours of his or her
			 ESP component activity, unless good cause exists as defined by
			 106 CMR
			 701.380:
Good Cause
			 Criteria
; and
(7) unless
			 otherwise specified, provide verification of participation at time periods
			 determined by the Department on a form prescribed by the Department. These
			 forms must be signed under the penalties of perjury by providers of the ESP
			 component activity(ies).
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.120 - Employment Services Program (ESP) Participation Components

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
106 CMR 707.130 through 707.190 describe the ESP component
				activities. Participation in a component is subject to available program
				resources and the individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP). Each
				individual who completes an EDP must fulfill the activities on the EDP in
				accordance with 106 CMR 707.110.
ESP participation may include self-initiated educational,
				vocational, or training programs, not funded by ESP provided the programs are
				consistent with 106 CMR 707.000 through 106 CMR 707.190 and individual's
				approved EDP. The individual must meet the Department's participation
				requirements, including, but not limited to, minimum scheduled hours and
				attendance requirements established for each ESP component, and the individual
				must complete the programs in accordance with time frames established by the
				Department, if any, for a particular component. The individual must be making
				satisfactory progress in the component, as defined by the service provider. An
				ESP participant in a self-initiated program who meets the above requirements
				shall be eligible for ESP Support Services in accordance with 106 CMR
				707.210.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.130 - Job Search/Job Readiness Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Job Search/Job Readiness component supports individuals in
				their efforts to obtain and maintain employment; however, the individual has
				the primary responsibility for finding a job.
Participation in the Job Search/Job Readiness component is
				subject to available funding and the following criteria:
(A)
Eligible
			 Participants
.
(1) The following
			 individuals are eligible to participate in Job Search/Job Readiness:
(a) an applicant;
(b) a current client; and
(c) an applicant or client receiving an
			 extension of time-limited benefits.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.140 - Educational Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Educational Component provides educational services to
				individuals to prepare him or her to obtain and maintain employment.
				Participation is subject to available program resources, the individual's
				approved Employment Development Plan (EDP), and the criteria in 106 CMR
				707.140(A) through (D):
(A)
Teen Parents
. A parent younger than 20 years old who
			 has not completed high school or does not have a high school equivalency test
			 (HiSET) certificate is required to participate in elementary, middle, or high
			 school on a full-time basis or in a full-time HiSET certificate program and an
			 approved training or employment-related activity for a total of 20 hours per
			 week. The Department will provide child care and transportation services, if
			 needed, as provided for in 106 CMR 707.210.
(B)
Dependent Child 16 or 17
			 Years of Age
. A dependent child 16 or 17 years of age who is not
			 attending an elementary, middle, or high school on a full-time basis or is not
			 in a HiSET certificate program must participate in Basic or Secondary Education
			 Services.
(C)
Basic and
			 Secondary Education Services
.
(1)
			 Activities may include, but are not limited to:
(a) high school curriculum;
(b) basic literacy;
(c) adult basic education;
(d) HiSET certificate program;
(e) English as a Second Language
			 (ESL);
(f) Young Parents Program
			 (YPP); and
(g) Department-approved
			 alternative education programs.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.150 - Skills Training Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Skills Training Component provides vocational training
				needed by a participant to prepare him or her to find and maintain employment.
				Participation is subject to available program resources, the individual's
				approved EDP and the criteria in 106 CMR 707.150(B).
(A) Activities may include, but are not
			 limited to:
(1) classroom sessions;
(2) internships;
(3) workshops; or
(4) vocational counseling.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.160 - Supported Work Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Supported Work Component provides education, training,
				employment and support services that an individual needs to obtain and maintain
				employment. This component consists of Pre-worksite training and Worksite
				placement. Participation is subject to available program resources, the
				individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP) and the criteria in 106
				CMR 707.160(A)(2) and (B).
(A)
Pre-worksite Training
. A participant in Pre-worksite
			 training may engage in the following activities to prepare him or her to obtain
			 and maintain employment.
(1) Activities may
			 include, but are not limited to:
(a)
			 orientation;
(b)
			 assessment;
(c) job search
			 training;
(d) job retention
			 strategies;
(e) resume
			 preparation;
(f) job development
			 and placement services; and
(g)
			 other job related training such as vocational skills training, English for
			 Employment and basic literacy instruction.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.170 - Community Service Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
An individual who is eligible for TAFDC may participate in the
				Community Service Component as provided in 106 CMR 707.170(A) through (C).
				Participation in community service is subject to available program resources
				and the individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP), if
				applicable.
(A)
Activities
.
(1) The
			 required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5):
Requirements
in an unpaid community service placement. A
			 community service placement cannot be in the office of an individual
			 candidate's campaign for public office. Participation in community service is
			 limited by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Individuals who choose
			 to participate in community service but cannot meet the required hours due to
			 the FLSA shall participate in an additional allowable activity to meet hourly
			 work program requirements. Individuals who are mandated to participate in the
			 Community Service Component may either participate in community service and an
			 additional allowable activity or participate in an allowable activity instead
			 of community service to meet the hourly requirements.
When all the dependent children are mandatory full-time school
				age, participation hours should be performed during the hours the children are
				in school.
(2) A combination
			 of employment, education or training and community service when the applicant
			 or client is employed for less hours than the Work Program required hours per
			 week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5):
Requirements
. The
			 number of hours of community service and/or education or training required is
			 the difference between the required hours per week of community service and the
			 number of hours the applicant or client is employed.
A participant's community service placement may be changed at
				the Department's discretion.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.180 - Full Employment Program

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Full Employment Program (FEP) component provides
				individuals work experience needed to obtain an unsubsidized job. Participants
				are paid a subsidized wage in
lieu
of receiving TAFDC.
(A)
Activities
.
			 Activities in FEP include:
(1) full-time
			 employment of 35 to 40 hours per week consistent with the employer's schedule;
			 and
(2) completion of an Employment
			 Development Plan (EDP) as provided in 106 CMR 707.110.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.185 - Post-employment Services Component

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Post-employment Services component is a voluntary program
				which provides current and former clients with services that lead to career
				advancement and employment stability.
Participation is subject to the requirements provided in this
				regulation and depends on available funding and resources. The Department shall
				determine eligibility for and authorize Post-employment Services.
				Post-employment Services may only be provided by provider agencies under
				contract with the Department, and services may vary by provider.
(A)
Eligible
			 Participants
. The following individuals are eligible to
			 participate in the Post-employment Services component:
(1) employed current and former TAFDC
			 clients; and
(2) current and former
			 clients who are in the job search phase of a Department-approved job readiness
			 or employment activity.
In order to participate, the individual must first be accepted
				for participation by an authorized Post-employment Services provider.
Eligibility for the Post-employment Services component is
				limited to up to 12 months from the date the TAFDC case
				closed.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.190 - Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Vocational Rehabilitation Services component helps increase
				participation in employment activities and helps clients who have barriers to
				employment reach self-sufficiency.
Participation in the component is subject to available funding.
(A)
Eligible
			 Participants
. TAFDC clients determined by the Department to be
			 eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services may participate in this
			 component.
(B)
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Activities
.
			 Activities may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Orientation;
(2) Assessment;
(3) Placement;
(4) Initial Employment Supports;
(5) Flexible Supports; and
(6) Benefits Planning Assistance and
			 Outreach.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.200 - Failure to Meet Employment Development Plan (EDP) Obligations or Work Program Requirements

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
An individual who, without good cause as defined by
				106 CMR
				701.380:
Good Cause
				Criteria
, fails to meet the Work Program requirements or fails to meet
				the obligations of the Employment Development Plan (EDP), will be sanctioned,
				except for a client who is granted an extension of benefits beyond the 24-month
				period as provided in 106 CMR 703.120:
Time-limited Benefits
.
				The client granted an extension who fails to meet the obligations of the EDP
				will be terminated.
Before determining whether an individual has failed to meet the
				Work Program requirements or failed to meet the obligations of an EDP without
				good cause, the Department shall review all good cause criteria with the
				individual to determine if good cause exists. Review of the good cause criteria
				by the Department with the individual shall be conducted in writing, unless the
				individual asks that the review take place either in person or by telephone
				with his or her worker. If there is no good cause, the individual shall be
				sanctioned as follows.
(A)
Consequences for Not Meeting EDP Obligations
.
(1) For the first failure to meet the
			 obligations of the EDP, the individual is given a written warning of the
			 consequences of subsequent failures.
(2) For a second or subsequent failure to
			 meet the obligations of the EDP, the individual is mandated to participate in
			 TAFDC Community Service. The EDP will be updated with the mandatory community
			 service requirement and ways the individual may meet the Work Program
			 requirement.
(3) For the first
			 failure to participate in mandated TAFDC Community Service, the individual is
			 not eligible for TAFDC until the individual meets the Work Program requirements
			 for the required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5), begins or
			 resumes participation in TAFDC Community Service, works at a job for pay,
			 participates in other work program activities as provided in 106 CMR
			 703.150(A)(2) or a combination of these activities for two consecutive
			 weeks.
(4) For a second or
			 subsequent failure of a grantee to participate in mandated TAFDC Community
			 Service, the assistance unit is ineligible for assistance until the individual
			 meets the Work Program requirements for the required hours per week as provided
			 in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5), begins or resumes participation in TAFDC Community
			 Service, works at a job for pay, participates in other work program activities
			 as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5) or a combination of these activities for
			 two consecutive weeks.
(5)
			 Assistance to the remaining members of the assistance unit shall be in the form
			 of vendor payments, when possible.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.205 - Restoration of TAFDC Benefits and ESP Participation

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
To restore eligibility for TAFDC when the individual or the
				assistance unit become ineligible pursuant to 106 CMR 707.200, the individual
				must begin or resume participation in the ESP component or work at a job for
				pay for at least the required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR
				703.150(A)(5) for two consecutive weeks, unless he or she is exempt in
				accordance with 106 CMR 703.100:
TAFDC Exemptions from Time-limited
				Benefits and Reduced Need and Payment Standards
or has good cause as
				defined by
				106 CMR
				701.380:
Good Cause
				Criteria
.
The Department shall notify the individual as to how the
				eligibility may be restored. Individuals may request restoration of the TAFDC
				benefits at any time.
(A) If the
			 request is within five calendar days of the date of ineligibility and the
			 individual or assistance unit is determined eligible, the grant shall be
			 increased or restored retroactive to the date of ineligibility provided that
			 the individual meets the ESP participation requirements or has been working for
			 two consecutive weeks for the required hours.
(B) If the request to restore benefits was
			 made more than five calendar days after the date of ineligibility and the
			 individual or assistance unit is determined eligible, the date of eligibility
			 shall be the date of the request for restoration, if all other eligibility
			 conditions are met, but only after the individual has participated in the ESP
			 component or has been working for at least two consecutive weeks for the
			 required hours.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.210 - Employment Services Program Support Services

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(A)
(1)
Child Care Referral Eligibility
. The Department of
			 Transitional Assistance determines eligibility referrals for child care
			 services for individuals who have an approved Employment Development Plan (EDP)
			 or an Extension Agreement and who meet the participation requirements of 106
			 CMR 707.115, or who are former clients in accordance with 106 CMR
			 707.210(A)(1)(f). The following individuals shall be eligible for child care
			 referral services:
(a) an employed TAFDC
			 grantee or a teen parent who is not the grantee who:
1. is included in the assistance unit;
			 or
2. would be included in the
			 assistance unit, but for a sanction due to noncooperation with the TAFDC child
			 support requirements in accordance with 106 CMR 703.500:
TAFDC
			 Cooperation with Child Support Requirements
or immunization
			 requirements in accordance with 106 CMR 703.160:
TAFDC
			 Immunizations
and who is required to meet the Work Program
			 requirements in accordance with 106 CMR 703.150:
TAFDC Work
			 Program
.
Referral for such child care services may be authorized as long
				as the individual is employed and receives TAFDC;
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.230 - ESP Educational Component and Child Care Services for Minor Parent Who Receives SSI

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Minor parents who are not clients and receive Supplemental
				Security Income (SSI) may participate in the ESP Educational Component. The
				minor parent's participation shall be limited to obtaining a high school
				diploma or a high school equivalency test (HiSET) certificate. Support services
				shall be limited to an ESP child care referral for his or her dependent child
				while he or she is attending high school or a HiSet program.
The minor parent must meet all the conditions:
(A) the minor parent and his or her dependent
			 child must be living with his or her natural or adoptive parents;
(B) the minor parent is attending high school
			 or a HiSET certificate program full-time;
(C) in addition to the conditions above, a
			 noncitizen minor parent must have an eligible noncitizen status in accordance
			 with
			 106 CMR
			 703.430:
TAFDC Noncitizen
			 Status
; and
(D) the gross
			 income of the parents of the minor parent with whom he or she lives is not more
			 than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level in accordance with
			 106
			 CMR 704.236(A)(1)(b).
To determine the appropriate Federal Poverty Level Standard,
				the assistance unit must include the minor parent, his or her dependent child,
				the natural or adoptive parents of the minor parent with whom he or she is
				living, and any siblings or half-siblings of the minor parent younger than 18
				years old living in the same home. If the minor parent is unable to obtain
				income verification from his or her parents, the minor parent may provide a
				written self-declaration that his or her parents refuse to provide the income
				verification.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 707.000 - Transitional cash assistance program: employment services program › Section 707.250 - Appeals

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
If an individual's TAFDC is denied, reduced, or terminated
				because of a failure or refusal to cooperate with the requirements of the
				Employment Services Program (ESP), the individual can request a fair hearing in
				accordance with the provisions of 106 CMR 343.00:
Fair Hearing
				Rules
.
The individual can request a fair hearing regarding his or her
				ESP status and/or ESP participation at any time.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 106 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE › Title 106 CMR 708.000 - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs (TCAP): Full Employment Program (FEP): Employer Regulations › Section 708.000 - Overview

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The Full Employment Program (FEP) component provides clients
				with paid work experience and on-the-job training needed to obtain an
				unsubsidized job. Clients participating in the Full Employment Program (FEP)
				will receive a subsidized wage in
lieu
of TAFDC cash benefits
				and are subject to FEP criteria in accordance with 106 CMR 707.180:
Full Employment Program
.