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Chapter: 1460 Technical Requirements Program: RAP 43 contact the individual in the anticipated month of return to work, to confirm the return to employment and verify the amount of earnings. 1460.1906.14 Pregnancy in Second Trimester (RAP) Women beginning their fourth month of pregnancy are exempt. A written and signed medical statement by a licensed physician or registered nurse which establishes that pregnancy exists and states the anticipated date of delivery is required. The physician or nurse must be in private practice or acting as an associate of a hospital, clinic, or health facility. 1460.1906.15 Residents in Counties Not Served by RAP E&T (RAP) If there is no RAP employment agency providing RAP E&T in the county in which the refugee resides, the individual will be exempted from the RAP work registration and participation requirement based upon their residing in a remote area (county). 1460.1917 Length of Penalty Periods (RAP) A RAP participant will be penalized a minimum of three months for failure to comply with program requirements. Penalties will continue if the employment/training requirement is not met.

Penalties for individuals who fail to meet the employment registration requirement without good cause are as follows:

1. First occurrence, the needs of the individual will be excluded from the assistance grant for three months. 2. Second occurrence, the needs of the individual will be excluded from the assistance grant for six months.

The effective date of penalty is the first month for which 10 days of advance notice can be given. The 10 days begins with the date the eligibility specialist receives notice that the individual failed to meet the employment/training requirements.

1460.1919 Penalties for Failure of FS Individual to Comply (RAP) RAP individuals who also receive food stamps will only be penalized for Refugee Cash Assistance if they fail to complete RAP E&T requirements. 1460.1924 Participation Following Penalties (RAP) Individuals must be notified that penalties are imposed and that they must reapply. If the individual indicates to the eligibility specialist that he is willing to participate in TANF work activities or RAP E&T, the eligibility specialist is to refer the individual to the Regional Workforce Board (RWB)/designee or RAP E&T provider.

Once notified by the RWB/designee that the penalty period has ended, the eligibility specialist must provide the payee with a request for additional assistance and schedule an appointment for a face-to-face interview.

If the payee fails to keep the appointment and ongoing eligibility cannot be established, a 10 days advance notice must be given and the case canceled, unless the child or payee is not part of the standard filing unit. When the payee keeps the appointment, policy regarding Employment and Training screening, referral, and participation is to be followed.