3001 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in the context of these policies, will, unless clearly indicated otherwise, have the following meanings: A. Benefits (Non-Time-Limited) - the receipt of TANF benefits that are not subject to a time limitation. Benefits (Time-Limited) - the receipt of TANF benefits for a limited period of time. B. Caretaker (Needy) - a parent or non-parent included in the grant who is caring for a needy child. Needy caretakers are required to comply with the CONTRACT OF MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY to receive benefits. Needy caretakers are subject to the time limit requirements. Caretaker (Non-Needy) - a non-parent, not included in the grant, who is caring for a needy child. Non-needy caretakers are required to comply with the CONTRACT OF MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY to receive benefits. Non-needy caretakers are not subject to the time limit requirements. These caretakers will receive benefits under the Children's Program. C. Children's program - the name of the agency's program for persons who receive non-time-limited benefits. Persons in this program are not subject to the usual time limits for the receipt of benefits. However, persons in this program must comply with a non-work-related CONTRACT OF MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY, e.g., participation in parenting classes, school attendance for the child or immunizations as necessary. D. Contract of Mutual Responsibility – an agreement between the TANF client and the agency which sets obligations and expectations between the TANF client and agency in exchange for benefits. E. Cumulative Months - the total number of months, not necessarily consecutive months, which make up a particular time period. F. Delaware’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program - the title of Delaware's new welfare reform program. G. Employable - the ability to engage in activities necessary to acquire and retain a job, at a wage level at least equal to the minimum wage; an employable person is physically and mentally able to participate in employment or activities necessary to seek and obtain employment, e.g. job search, job training, job readiness, etc. While an individual is employable the receipt of benefits is time-limited. H. Employment (Subsidized) - a public or private sector job for which the employer receives a grant or allotment to pay all or a portion of the employee’s wage. Employment (Unsubsidized) - a public or private sector job for which the employer receives no grant or allotment to pay either all or a portion of the employee's wage. I. Good Cause - An adult recipient may have legitimate reasons for not cooperating either in the development of the Contract of Mutual Responsibility or the requirements as set forth in the Contract. The adult recipient has "good cause" when either a circumstance or condition exists in either her/his personal or family situation beyond which she/he has no control, and which would prevent cooperation and/or participation. Good cause for quitting a job would include but not necessarily be limited to: On the job discrimination; Health and/or safety risk. J. Pay After Performance - A work experience and/or Employment and Training program required for families with employable adults where the adult has not found employment or has lost a job. Families who were continuously on TANF prior to 01/01/2000 will have 24 months before being required to enter into this program. Families reapplying on or after 01/01/2000 will immediately enter this program. Participants will work to earn TANF benefits. K. Sanction - a penalty for TANF client’s failure or refusal without good cause to meet her/his Employment and Training participation requirements. If the client refuses or fails to meet work related requirements (job search, training, etc.) or quits a job without good cause, the client’s TANF case will be closed. If the TANF client refuses or fails to attend a Contract of Mutual Responsibility requirement (e.g., participate in parenting education) the penalty is a $50.00 reduction in the grant for each month the client refuses or fails to participate. L. Suitable Employment - employment that provides income at least equal to the payment standard after deduction of work expenses, the TANF work deduction and child care as paid, and provides wages at least equal to the minimum wage. Individuals will be expected to work at jobs that are below their skill levels, if such positions provide the only available employment. M. Two Parent Program - able-bodied parents and their children who meet the standard of need and all TANF eligibility requirements, except deprivation, will be eligible for cash benefits. Eligibility for this program is based on need; there is no deprivation requirement. Cash benefits are time limited and both parents must comply with a Contract of Mutual Responsibility. When one parent in an intact family is incapacitated, the family should not be placed in the two-parent program. N. Unemployable - the inability to engage in activities necessary to work for at least the minimum wage; the person is prohibited because s/he is physically or mentally disabled. An unemployable individual cannot participate in employment or activities necessary to seek and obtain employment, e.g., job search, job training, job readiness, etc. The determination and duration of unemployability are made by a health care professional (e.g., doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, therapist, etc.). Periods of unemployability are not counted toward the cumulative months of benefit eligibility under the time-limited program. O. Week - A week is defined as seven consecutive days, Monday through Sunday. P. Work-eligible individual - an adult (or minor child head-of-household) receiving assistance under TANF or a separate State program or a non-recipient parent living with a child receiving assistance (child-only cases). See exclusions below. Q. Excluded work-eligible individuals - Child-only cases that are: • A minor parent and not the head-of-household or spouse of the head-of-household; • An alien who is ineligible to receive assistance due to the immigration status; or • At state option, on a case-by-case basis, a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits Other work-eligible exclusions: A parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home, who does not attend school on a full-time basis, provided that the need for such care is supported by medical documentation. 9 DE Reg. 1370 (03/01/06) 10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)