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either a lack of needed child care for a child under six that prevents the teen parent's school attendance or that a child's verified special health needs prevent the child's regular attendance at school (see Section 4.4.1: Teen Parent School Attendance Requirement in Part IV and Section 3.12: Teen Parent Program in Part VIII). Any applicant/recipient who is exempt from work participation may voluntarily participate. If s/he volunteers and then fails to participate without good cause and for a reason unrelated to his/her qualification for an exemption, the individual is subject to sanction. Families in which the parent has a physical or mental incapacity that prevents them from working and/or participating in TANF work activities are eligible for POWER -- a District-funded program that provides cash assistance in lieu of TANF (see Section 1.9: Screening for the Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility in Part III and Section 3.10: Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility (POWER) in Part VIII).

FS The following people are exempt from FSET participation: • homeless persons; • individuals receiving TANF; • persons younger than 16 years of age or a person 60 years of age or older. If a child has his/her 16th birthday within a certification period, the child will be work registered as part of the next scheduled recertification process unless the child qualifies for another exemption; • persons physically or mentally unfit for employment; this includes but is not limited to persons who have applied for SSI or persons who currently receive IDA, SSI, SSDI or other disability-related benefits; • a person receiving unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) or who has a pending UIB application as long as s/he is registered for work and actively looking; • a parent or other household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under six or an incapacitated person; • a regular participant in a drug or alcohol addiction program, which prohibits participation in FSET work activities during normal business hours; such drug and alcohol programs would include but not be limited to residential treatment, but would not include participation in after-hours meetings of recovery support groups, etc.;. • persons who are employed or self-employed and working a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours (this includes migrant and seasonal farm workers who are under contract or have an agreement with an employer or an employer representative to begin employment within 30 days); • a student 16- or 17-years-old who is enrolled and attends regular classes at least half-time, as defined by the learning institution, in any appropriate school, training program, or institution of higher education; and • other persons granted an individual exemption by FSET staff Example Susan is a 17-year-old with a GED who wants to attend Clarkson Computer Learning Center to earn a certificate of competence in Software Testing. Susan is eligible for FS benefits, but she needs an exemption from participation in the FSET program so she can attend Clarkson. Susan tells her SSR of her plans and shows proof of enrollment. Susan is granted her exemption from FSET as long as she provides the SSR with regular proof of attendance at Clarkson.