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TANF State Plan FFY 2026 Effective October 1, 2025 Page 8 of 24 of work opportunity sites, individualized employment services and the provision of work activity hours to the Department. These hours are used to determine the State’s work participation rate to ensure compliance with Section 407(a)(1) of the Social Security Act. All TANF applicants are referred to the E&T contractor for assessment and participation in mandatory work activities. The specific activities assigned are based on each participant’s circumstances and may require up to forty (40) hours per week participation in work-related activities, as defined in the Work- Related Activities section. Work activities may include but are not limited to: • Paid employment, including self-employment earning at least the federal minimum wage • Unpaid work or community service • Work search and job readiness activities • Education aimed at obtaining a high school diploma or equivalency • Work preparation or vocational education • Job skills training • Other activities that enhance a participant’s ability to achieve employment and self-reliance

A single parent of a child who is less than six (6) years of age is not required to participate in work activities if one or more of the following child care related barriers are present. These barriers may be identified during the initial eligibility determination or during the development of the participant’s work plan with the E&T contractor: Appropriate Child Care Not Available: Appropriate care includes licensed providers or license exempt providers as outlined in IDAPA, or client preferred informal child care (e.g. family, friends, or neighbors) with operating hours that align with the participant’s work schedule. Reasonable Distance: Appropriate child care is not available within a responsible distance from the participant’s home or assigned work site. “Reasonable distance” is defined as a total travel time of no more than one (1) hour via public or private transportation. Relative or Informal Child Care: Informal child care provided by relatives or others is either unavailable or unsuitable. Unsuitability is determined on a case-by case basis, and may include concerns related to safety, stability, or adequacy of care and supervision. Affordable: Child care is considered unaffordable if, after applying subsidies and any provider discounts, the participant’s out of pocket child care expenses, exceed 50% of their cash benefits. Participation of Other Household Members: All adult mandatory household members must engage in work activities for up to forty (40) hours per week. In addition, any child between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) who is not attending school is also required to participate in assigned work activities up to forty (40) hours per week. Community Collaboration and Resource Maximization: The E&T contractor works in partnership with community organizations and local resources to maximize available services and prevent duplication. This collaborative approach ensures that participants receive comprehensive, coordinated support tailored to their individual needs, increasing the likelihood of successful employment and long-term self- sufficiency.