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Delaware’s TANF State Plan 10-1-2017 to 9-30-2020
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If a caretaker objects to certain aspects of the CMR, the caretaker needs to present these objections up front, at the time of the initial CMR. If good cause can be demonstrated, the CMR can be amended to rectify the objections.
When staff has reason to believe that the family needs other services to become employed or to increase work hours and wages, these services will be identified and specified in the CMR. Needed services will also be identified on the caretaker’s ISS developed by the EC and KAJ contractors.
The fiscal sanction for not cooperating, without good cause, in development of the CMR will be an initial $50.00 reduction in benefits. This reduction will increase each month by $50.00, either until there is compliance or the case is closed. The sanction will end with demonstrated compliance. Sanctions for failure to participate in CMR and Individual Service Strategy (ISS) activities are described in subsequent sections.
Parental Responsibility
Adults and minor parent(s) are required to comply with parenting expectations outlined in the Contract of Mutual Responsibility.
Failure to Comply with the Contract of Mutual Responsibility and the Imposition of Sanctions
The Contract of Mutual Responsibility (CMR) encompasses three broad categories of requirements: 1) enhanced family functioning; 2) self-sufficiency; and 3) teen responsibility requirements. In addition, caretakers required to participate in work activities create an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) with their employment and training program that details their expected weekly work activities.
1. Enhanced family functioning requirements of the CMR include, but are not limited to: acquiring family planning information, attending parenting education sessions, ensuring that children are immunized, and cooperation with specialized programming designed to assist parents with documented disabilities that impede or prevent employment. Sanction for non-compliance with these requirements is an initial $50, which will increase by $50 every month until there is compliance with the requirement. The initial $50 reduction is imposed whether the family fails to comply with one, or more than one requirement. Clients must comply with all requirements before the sanction can end.