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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

MFIP HARD TO EMPLOY EXTENSION CATEGORY

0011.33.06

MFIP: See 0011.30 (60-Month Lifetime Limit) for an explanation of the 60-month lifetime limit and exceptions. See 0011.33 (MFIP Hardship Extensions) for general information and requirements for hardship extensions. Also see 0011.33.03 (MFIP Employed Extension Category), 0011.33.09 (MFIP Ill/Incapacitated Extension Category).

Counties may extend MFIP benefits for the hard-to-employ category after 60 months when documentation is not available by the 60th month. Participants must cooperate with efforts to obtain the documentation, and they may be responsible for an overpayment if they are later determined to not qualify for an extension. Also see 0011.30.03 (MFIP Transition Period). If it appears that their condition would make them eligible for Social Security or other program benefits, require them to apply. See 0012.12 (Applying for Other Benefits).

Participants who are extended in any of the hard to employ categories are considered Family Stabilization Services (FSS) participants and ARE REQUIRED to develop an FSS Employment Plan and follow the FSS service requirements. Participants are subject to post 60-month sanction provisions only after all FSS sanction provisions have been met. See the Employment Services Manual.

The following are the “hard to employ” extension categories:

● DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED OR MENTALLY ILL: Participants with mental illness or developmental disabilities are eligible for an extension of their benefits when the condition severely limits the participant’s ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment.

NOTE: Consider a participant to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that the participant’s condition prevents him/her from working 20 or more hours per week.

The determination of:

- Mental illness must be made by a licensed physician or qualified mental health professional.

- Developmental Disability must be made by a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, or a certified psychometrist working under supervision of a licensed psychologist.

See 0011.39 (Qualified Professionals).

● LEARNING DISABLED: A participant with a learning disability may be eligible for an extension if the condition severely limits the participant’s ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment.

NOTE: Consider a participant to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that the participant’s condition significantly restricts the range of employment that the person is able to perform; or the condition significantly interferes with the person’s ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment for 20 or more hours per week.

The determination of a learning disability must be made by a qualified professional. A qualified professional for this purpose is a licensed psychologist or school psychologist with experience determining learning disabilities.

● PARTICIPANTS WITH IQ BELOW 80: Participants with an IQ below 80 may be eligible for an extension of benefits if they have been assessed by a vocational specialist or qualified professional to determine that the condition severely limits the participant’s ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment.

NOTE: Consider a participant to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that the participant’s condition significantly restricts the range of employment that the person is able to perform; or the condition significantly interferes with the person’s ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment for 20 or more hours per week