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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: TCA 65 self-sufficiency while providing for their safety. An individual who is determined to be unable to comply with work requirements due to mental or physical impairment related to past incidents of domestic violence may be exempted from work requirements for a period of time by the Regional Workforce Board or their designated provider. The individual must comply with the alternative plan or work activity penalties will apply.

5. VISTA or AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers - VISTA volunteers enrolled for full-time service as volunteers are not to have services or assistance under any governmental programs interrupted because of their failure or refusal to register for, seek, or accept employment or training during the time they are VISTA volunteers. This means that if they fail to register for work or complete assigned work activities, they cannot be penalized for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Food Stamp Programs.

6. Other Good Cause Reasons - An individual temporarily unable to participate due to circumstances beyond their control may be granted an exception from noncompliance penalties. Examples include family emergencies or disruptions in the family’s usual transportation system.

Tracking of good cause for noncompliance (for example, following the course of treatment for medical incapacity) will be performed by the Regional Workforce Board or their designated provider.

If a penalty has been imposed (or is scheduled to be imposed) and the Regional Workforce Board indicates that the individual had good cause for not participating in work activities, the eligibility specialist will remove the penalty. The next penalty will be counted as the same penalty that had been imposed at the time good cause was determined (i.e., an individual has been penalized for a second time, if good cause is subsequently approved by the Regional Workforce Board or their designated provider, the penalty will be lifted and the next penalty would be the second penalty). 1420.1914 Requirement to Counsel (TCA) Prior to requesting imposition of a TANF penalty, the Regional Workforce Board career manager will counsel the non-compliant individual. The purpose of the counseling is to determine why full compliance with work activity requirements has not been achieved. The individual will be counseled regarding compliance and, if appropriate, will be referred by the Regional Workforce Board career manager for services that could assist the individual to fully comply with work activities. The career manager will send a letter of counseling to the recipient and allow the individual 10 days to contact them for counseling. 1420.1917 Length of Penalty Periods (TCA) When it is determined that an individual has not complied with prescribed work activities, the penalty period will be applied as follows:

1. First Noncompliance - Temporary Cash Assistance is terminated for the entire assistance group until the individual contacts the RWB/contract provider and complies with prescribed work activities.

2. Second Noncompliance - Prior to requesting imposition of the second penalty, the RWB/or designee will interview and counsel the non-compliant individual. The interview will be conducted to determine why full compliance with work activity requirements has not been achieved. The individual will be counseled regarding compliance and, if appropriate, will be referred by the RWB/or designee for services that could assist the individual to fully comply with work activities.

Temporary Cash Assistance is terminated for the entire assistance group until the individual contacts the RWB/or designee and complies with work activities. Temporary