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Page | 17 13.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, PENALTIES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Up-Front Universal Engagement
Effective October 1, 2008, as a condition of eligibility for TANF benefits, applicants, determined to be work eligible individuals, are required to comply with work activity requirements within a twenty-one (21) day period, starting from the date of intake conducted by the FTW program. Work participation compliance prior to TANF approval is referred to as the Up-front Universal Engagement or UFUE. The Department conducts an initial assessment to determine if the applicant is required to participate in the FTW program. One adult in a two-adult household, must attend the FTW program orientation and an intake session within five (5) workdays from the date of eligibility interview.
13.2 Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) When a biological or adoptive parent is absent, the family is required to comply, as a condition of eligibility, with the following requirements by cooperating with the CSEA: A. Identify the absent parent(s) of any child(ren) for which assistance is being applied for and provide information to locate the absent parent(s). B. Establish paternity if the child(ren) were born out of wedlock. C. Help to establish and obtain child support and medical coverage for the child(ren) who are receiving assistance, including past due child support. D. Determine rights to future Social Security, veteran, or other government benefits; and E. Reimburse the State any money given directly by the absent parent while the family receives financial assistance benefits. Applicants and recipients are notified of the child support requirements during their initial and annual eligibility interview (for recertification) and are provided with a copy of form DHS 1247, Notice of Requirement to Cooperate with Child Support Enforcement Agency and Right to Claim Good Cause.
An applicant or recipient is provided the opportunity to claim good cause if they believe cooperating with CSEA would not be the best interest of their family. The applicant or recipient will be required to provide evidence to support their good cause claim. If an applicant or recipient refuses to cooperate without good cause, the family will be determined ineligible for TANF benefits.