707.170 Community Service Component

An individual who is eligible for TAFDC may participate in the Community Service Component

as provided below. Participation in community service is subject to available program resources and the individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP), if applicable.

Activities

Activities include:

(1) The required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5) in an unpaid community service placement. A community service placement cannot be in the office of an individual candidate's campaign for public office. Participation in community service is limited by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Individuals who choose to participate in community service but cannot meet the required hours due to the FLSA shall participate in an additional allowable activity to meet hourly work program requirements. Individuals who are mandated to participate in the Community Service Component may either participate in community service and an additional allowable activity or participate in an allowable activity instead of community service to meet the hourly requirements.

When all the dependent children are mandatory full-time school age, participation hours should be performed during the hours the children are in school.

(2) A combination of employment, education or training and community service when the applicant or client is employed for less hours than the Work Program required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5). The number of hours of community service and/or education or training required is the difference between the required hours per week of community service and the number of hours the applicant or client is employed.

A participant’s community service placement may be changed at the Department’s discretion.

(B) Participation Criteria

(1) The following individuals may participate in the Community Service Component:

an individual who volunteers;

an individual who is unable to obtain a job may meet his or her Work Program requirement by participating in community service provided the FLSA calculation for the individual meets or exceeds his or her work required hours; and

an individual who is mandated to participate in community service because of his or her failure to comply with a prior Work Program requirement.

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(2) The Community Service Component participant shall:

find a community service site and have it approved by the Department;

select a community service site identified by the Department; or

accept and enroll in a community service placement assigned by the Department within 10 days when no community service site has been selected by the participant.

The Department has the primary responsibility to locate a community service site for the participant.

(C) Participation Requirements

The community service participant must:

(1) participate for the actual scheduled hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 707.170(A); and

(2) perform the activity to the satisfaction of the community service site; and

(3) provide verification of his or her community service participation at time periods determined by the Department in a manner determined by the Department.

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