Page 294

Volume III | Chapter 3

3901 MISSISSIPPI [NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA: TANF WORK PROGRAM]

Revised 10-01-14

individual in a TANF Basic case and the principal wage earner (PWE) of a TANF-UP case are referred to TWP as nonexempt (NE). The second parent in a TANF-UP case is referred as a mandatory spouse (SM), and may only be exempt if the person is caring for a severely disabled child or other household member, caring for a child younger than 12 months, or if the person is in the third trimester of pregnancy and has a verified medical complication. Additional and more detailed information describing the nonexempt categories is located in Chapter 8, Non-Exempt Individuals. Exempt Individuals Any individual whose TANF participation code is IN will be referred to the TANF Work Program, unless that individual meets one of the exemption criteria listed below. Exemption decisions are made by the worker and eligibility for the exemption must be verified. Adult TANF recipients who are eligible for either the JB, JC, JF, JL or JD exemption and their TANF Program Status code is "IN" may choose to voluntarily waive (give up) their exemption status if they want to participate in TANF Work Program activities. Refer to Chapter 3, Waiver of Exemption Status, for additional information. NOTE: Receipt of unemployment benefits or wages does not qualify the person for an exemption from TANF work requirements. Child Under 18 Years of Age (JI) A dependent child in the TANF case under the age of 18 is exempt by reason of age. Time limits do not apply to a child while in the TANF budget as a dependent. The only appropriate code for the dependent child is JI, unless the child is a minor parent who needs child care in order to remain in school. In this situation, referral as a minor volunteer (MV) would be appropriate. Any months used under this exemption reason will not count in the 24 and 60-month time limits. Age 60 and Over (JA) An elderly caretaker, age 60 or above, is exempt from TANF work requirements and the 24- month time limit. Age must be verified for this exemption. Any months used under this exemption reason will count in the TANF 60-month time limit. MISSISSIPPI [NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA: TANF WORK PROGRAM]

Revised 10-01-14

Incapacity (JB) Exemption from TANF work requirements due to incapacity may be established in the same manner as the determination of incapacity for deprivation. Receipt of SSI automatically precludes