Page 39

STATE OF ARKANSAS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES REVISED 2023 Page 39 of 46 the completion of their programs. These services include: tuition, fees, books, childcare, transportation, and other non-recurrent support. The support services provided to Career Pathways Initiative participants are not considered “assistance,” as defined in federal TANF Guidelines. All participants are required to apply for Pell Grants for which they are eligible. These funds must be exhausted prior to the use of TANF funds. Section 14 TANF NONRECURRING SHORT-TERM BENEFITS (NRST) Unemployment Insurance claimants receiving weekly unemployment benefits in the amount of $100 or more, were eligible for Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) per an Executive Order signed by President Trump on August 8, 2020 and as approved for the State of Arkansas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on August 26, 2020. Over a period of 6 weeks, LWA provided $1800 to eligible individuals in addition to their weekly benefit amount of $100 or more (assistance totaling at least $2400). To utilize existing federal funding sources during the Pandemic for Arkansans, a provision was available through the TANF program called non-recurring short term (NRST) benefits without utilizing the State’s current TEA cash assistance program. The TANF Non-Recurring Short-Term benefits program (NRST) is a special initiative that provides federal funds to Unemployment Insurance claimants who are ineligible for LWA due to receiving unemployment benefits that are less than $100 per week. The TANF NRST lump sum payment totals $2400 (essentially $300 /week over 8 weeks), in order to meet the minimum dollar amount provided to LWA-eligible UI claimants. Eligibility for TANF NRST is determined by Local Workforce Development Boards based on the following: Unemployment Insurance claimants must: x Be eligible for state/federal unemployment benefits; x Receive unemployment benefits of less than $100/week; AND x Demonstrate a need for assistance. The need for assistance may be demonstrated by any of the following: x The claimant is unable to work due to contracting COVID-19, leading to lost wages. x Children’s school or childcare provider is closed due to COVID-19. x The claimant’s workplace is closed due to COVID-19. x The claimant needs rent/mortgage assistance due to COVID-19. x The claimant needs utility assistance due to COVID-19. x The claimant lost housing due to COVID-19.