Rule 290-2-28-.12 Basic Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements

(a) Age. Assistance will be provided for children under age 18. Families will have the option to include children between the age of 18-19 who are still in high school.

(b) Application for other benefits. Applicants/recipients must apply for all other benefits for which the applicants/recipients may be eligible.

(c) Enumeration. Applicants/recipients will be required to provide a social security number according to established rules. Sanctions will be applied if a number is not provided.

(d) School attendance. Children must attend school according to guidelines established by the State Department of Education. Failure to ensure that children attend school will result in sanctions. In addition, no assistance will be provided to teenage parents who do not attend high school or other equivalent training program. Adults who are older than age 20 and younger than age 51 who have no high school diploma and are not engaged in a work activity will be encouraged to work toward getting a diploma or recognized equivalent, with special emphasis on those older than 20 and younger than age 26 who have at least a tenth grade education.

(e) Immunization. A preschool age child must have received immunizations for those diseases specified in Chapter 290-5-4 of the department's rules as a condition of assistance being provided for such children including the presentation of a certificate of immunization, unless: 1. There is appropriate evidence from the local health department or a physician that an immunization sequence has been started and can be completed within a period of up to 180 days, in which case a waiver of the immunization requirement for up to 180 days shall be granted; 2. After examination by the local board of health or a physician, any preschool age child found to have a physical disability which may make vaccination undesirable, in which case a certificate to that effect issued by the local board of health or the physician may be accepted in lieu of a certificate of immunization and shall exempt the child from obtaining a certificate of immunization until the disability is relieved; or 3. The parent or legal guardian furnishes an affidavit swearing or affirming that the immunization conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian.

(f) Living with a parent, guardian or other caretaker relative. The child must live with a parent, guardian, or other caretaker relative. If the only child in the family receives Social Security Income (SSI), the family is eligible for cash assistance.

(g) Work Requirements. Work requirements will be administered based on federal law and regulations.

(h) Deprivation. Deprivation, for purposes of determining eligibility for cash assistance, will be based on economic need. Child support referrals will be completed for parents outside of the home. Families with both parents in the home will be provided assistance. A connection to the workforce will be required when both able-bodied parents are in the home.

(i) Third Party Responses. Applicants/recipients must provide information regarding third party resources.

(j) Voluntary Quit. Applicants/recipients who voluntarily quit a job without good cause shall be sanctioned.

(k) Personal Responsibility and Work Plans. Specific plans outlining personal responsibilities and work requirements shall be developed for all families receiving assistance. The Personal Responsibility and work Plans shall: 1. Define recipient and department responsibilities in carrying out the terms of the plan. The family members must meet the terms of their individual personal responsibility and work plans as a condition of eligibility for cash assistance. Such plans may include any or all of the following: (i) Attendance at parent/teacher conferences; (ii) Assurance that minor dependent children attend school; (iii) Participation in parenting classes, including all teens whether or not they are parents; (iv) Participation in financial management, counseling, and life skills classes; (v) Participation in substance abuse counseling/treatment; (vi) Participation in mental health counseling/treatment; (vii) Participation in rehabilitation services; (viii) Adherence to the goals set in the individual's initial assessment and subsequent case review process; (ix) Compliance with a Division of Family and Children Services' child welfare case plan as appropriate; (x) Cooperation with Child Support Enforcement; or (xi) Attendance at family planning counseling. (2) Emphasize the temporary and contractual nature of assistance; (3) Focus on the goal of self-sufficiency; and (4) Ensure that family members are provided certain services to include counseling on abstinence until marriage.