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When a client applies for TANF or comes in for TANF recertification, s/he must be informed and provided a notice about the right to request a domestic violence good cause waiver for TANF work requirements and/or child support cooperation requirements. The notice also informs the applicant/recipient that at any point in time s/he may receive referrals for appropriate services relevant to the issue of domestic violence. Further, his/her voluntary disclosure will not adversely affect or delay the receipt of aid, and any information disclosed will be confidential.

Each applicant/recipient presenting a history of domestic violence will be provided with instructions and a referral to professional counseling and/or supportive services. The referral form between the Department and the domestic violence services provider includes information about a domestic violence good cause waiver from the work requirement, and child support requirements.

TANF applicants/recipients referred to a work activity vendor will undergo an additional preliminary assessment conducted by the vendor which includes a discussion of domestic violence as a barrier to work. If an applicant/recipient discloses any of the above acts to the work activity vendor, the vendor will inform the Department of the disclosure and will inform the applicant/ recipient about the right to request a domestic violence good cause waiver from the work requirement. The Department will then refer the applicant/recipient to a domestic violence services provider as discussed above.

Decisions on granting or denying domestic violence waivers will be made within 15 business days. During that time, if the applicant/recipient is otherwise eligible for TANF, financial assistance shall not be delayed or denied. Since it may be necessary to waive work requirements to ensure the safety of the applicant/recipient, s/he will not be required to participate in work programs pending a decision on whether to grant a waiver.

For a discussion of domestic violence and child support requirements, see Chapter 2: Child Support Requirements in Part V.

Confidentiality 3.8.1

Disclosure of any information pertaining to any applicant/recipient who claims to have a history of domestic violence, whether provided by the victim or a third party, shall be made solely for the purpose of making referral or determinations of eligibility for waivers except where the law dictates further disclosure (such as, in cases in which the Department believes a child or other dependent in the household is at risk of abuse or neglect). Information that must be kept confidential includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the applicant/recipient's:

 current address,  workplace location,  location of his/her children's school or child care,  telephone number or contact numbers,  identification as a victim of domestic violence, or  identification of his/her service center.