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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2021

MFIP EMPLOYED EXTENSION CATEGORY

0011.33.03

be documented in the Employment Plan. These participants must meet minimum work requirements, and they are NOT exempt from ES requirements.

When a participant in a 2-parent unit has accepted a job that begins during the 60th or 61st month, there must be a reasonable expectation that the participants will work an average of 55 hours per week (or 45 hours of work plus 10 hours of another work activity) in the upcoming month. DHS recommends that the decision be based on the participant’s current employment situation and/or employment offer.

In some instances 2-parent units failing to comply with Employment Services requirements, and thus facing a disqualification from MFIP, may have the option to remove the non-compliant caregiver from the grant and continue MFIP for the remainder of the unit. See 0011.33.02 (MFIP Hardship Extensions Removing 1 Parent) for more information.

NOTE: In 2-parent families where only 1 parent is post-60 month status and the 2nd parent is pre-60 month status, follow the single parent minimum hourly requirements for each parent.

LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT

MFIP participants who are extended under an employed extension category are not subject to sanction when employment ends or when there is a reduction of work hours below 25 hours per week. In these cases, the participant is exempt from the hourly employment requirement for 1 month. After 1 month, if the participant is not working at least 25 hours per week, evaluate the participant for another extension category. Close with proper 10-day notice if the criteria for another extension category is not met.

Participants extended under this extension category must meet all remaining requirements in the employment plan or are subject to sanction.

If a participant is complying with a child protection plan, the number of hours required under that plan counts toward the number of hours of employment required in the employed extension category. For purposes of the employed extension category, employment means: ● Subsidized private sector or public sector employment, including Grant Diversion.

● Unsubsidized employment.

● On-the-job training.

● Apprenticeship.

● Work study.

OR ● A combination of any of the bulleted items above.

OR ● Providing child care services to another participant who is working in a community service program, if it is in combination with paid employment.

Participants who have verification from their health care provider that the number of hours they may work is limited due to illness or disability may qualify for an MFIP hardship extension as long as they work at least the number of hours specified by the health care provider. See 0011.33.03.03 (Limited Work Due to Illness/Disability).

The child under 12-month ES exemption does not apply under this extension.

DWP, SNAP, MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions.