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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: TCA 69 Once the case is considered a child-only case, non-TANF food stamp work requirements, including any applicable penalties, are applied if the relative receives food stamps. Protective payee provisions do not apply once the case is considered a child-only case. In order for the caretaker relative’s needs to again be included in the Temporary Cash Assistance benefits, the relative must serve any applicable penalty period and comply with work activity requirements. Date of eligibility begins on the date the RWB/or designee states the individual contacted them and subsequently complied, and after any applicable penalty period. 1420.2000 LEARNFARE (TCA) School age children age six by February 1 of the current school year up to age 18 are subject to the school attendance requirement. Parents or caretaker relatives whose needs are included in the benefit calculation must participate in school conferences.

Note: Refugees applying for TCA are exempted from Learnfare requirements at initial application only, if the initial application is within 12-months from date of entry/status/asylum. At recertification, the eligibility worker must ensure the household is complying with learnfare requirements prior to reauthorizing benefits. 1420.2001 Learnfare - School Attendance (TCA) A child of a TCA recipient is required to attend school unless good cause is established or an exemption from educational participation requirements has been granted.

Good Cause is considered to exist when:

1. The student is expelled from school and an alternative school is not available. 2. Prohibitive transportation problems exist.

An educational exemption from participation exists when a school official has granted a hardship waiver due to employment, medical reasons, a court action, or pregnancy.

Children who are habitual truants and school dropouts will be sanctioned for failing to meet school attendance requirements. Local school boards will notify DCF of children who are habitual truants or dropouts.

When notified by the school district that a child is habitually truant or a dropout, the agency must determine if “good cause” for non-cooperation. If a good cause requirement is met, a sanction will not be imposed and a child age 16 or 17 will be referred to the workforce board for participation in work requirements. If a good cause requirement is not met, action will be taken to remove the child from the TCA assistance group effective the first month following the required adverse action period.

Lifting School Attendance Sanctions:

1. Habitually Truant Children

A TCA sanction will be lifted when school officials notify DCF that attendance has improved. The recipient must request that the child’s needs be added back to the assistance group. Failure to make this request will result in termination of the assistance group’s TCA benefit.

2. School Dropouts

TCA sanctions will be lifted when the child: