A nonexempt grantee who has received TAFDC for 60 days is required to meet the Work Program requirements unless:
the grantee is exempt (Exemptions from Time-Limited Benefits, Need and Payment Standard and Work Program)
Important |
If the grantee is exempt and becomes nonexempt (for example the youngest child turns two), the grantee’s status changes automatically from Exempt to Nonexempt. Twenty days before the end of the exemption a Work Program Participation Update notice will be sent out unless the client has another exemption. This notice will inform them:
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the grantee is caring for, or receives into placement, a foster child who is under age two
a grantee is caring for, or receives into placement, a foster child whose needs exceed a standard level of care (Department of Children and Families (DCF) tiers 2, 3 and 4) as determined by the Commissioner of DCF or his or her designee. A waiver of work requirements may be granted by the DTA Commissioner for other foster parent grantees at the request of the DCF Commissioner based on the needs of the foster child, or
the grantee has good cause
Example |
Residence in a battered women’s shelter or other crisis placement for a victim of Domestic Violence constitutes good cause for not meeting the Work Program Requirements. This falls under the description of a “crisis or emergency situation.” |
Important |
If the grantee has good cause, once the good cause is about to expire, s/he will appear on the view: Clients with Expiring Good Cause Reasons. The grantee must be given an appointment to discuss if the good cause continues to exist, if another good cause reason exists or if s/he must now meet the work program. |
Two Parents and Work Program Requirement
In a two-parent household, each parent is required to meet the Work Program requirement unless that parent meets one of the requirements above except that the second and third requirement above may apply to only one parent.
The following restrictions apply to two-parent cases:
Only one parent can claim an exemption due to:
being essential to the care of one of the following disabled persons living in the home:
ü a child
ü the grantee’s spouse, sibling or half-sibling, or
ü the child’s other parent,
the youngest child in the case is under age two or the youngest child under age two would be in the case except for receiving SSI or is provided with state and/or federal foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance
If one parent claims to be a disabled grantee or is exempt due to pregnancy, the other parent cannot claim an exemption due to:
being essential to the care of the disabled person, or
the youngest child in the case is under age two or the youngest child under age two would be in the case except for receiving SSI
Note |
The rule does not apply if there is medical documentation that the parent claiming to be a disabled grantee or claiming to be exempt due to pregnancy is unable to care for the other disabled person or child in the household. |
Both parents must provide the appropriate verification specified in the Exemptions section of this guide to be considered an exempt case. If only one parent in a two-parent case meets an exemption, the case is nonexempt.
Important |
If either parent is exempt and becomes nonexempt, the grantee’s status changes automatically from Exempt to Nonexempt. Twenty days before the end of the exemption a Work Program Participation Update notice will be sent out unless the client has another exemption. This notice will inform them:
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Important |
When entering a new Meets Compliance or Exemption reason, a new Start Date and End Date, if appropriate, must be entered for the new reason to be recognized. |
Work Program Requirements Policy and Procedures