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MISSISSIPPI [NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA: TANF WORK PROGRAM]

Revised 11-01-17

identify and handle the TANF cases that receive distribution payments from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. EXPLANATIONS It is extremely important that the intake worker explain basic work program requirements so that the individual will know what to expect when he/she attends TWP orientation. The Worker must tell the individual that the number of hours required for participation in the TWP will be based on the individual’s work activity placement. The worker should not explain the minimum hours required to meet the monthly federal participation rate requirements. REAPPLICATION FOLLOWING A SANCTION When the TANF case closes because of a TWP violation, the case must not be re-approved until the minimum time period is served. After the timed sanction period has been served the case may be reapproved if the individual who committed the violation has met compliance, the family meets an exemption, and/or there is good cause for non-compliance. Cases closed for specific program violations will be identified in MAVERICS by the closure reason. There will be times when the TANF case will be frozen for another reason when the TWP noncompliance is received. Such cases will close for the original reason with no timed TWP sanction. However, any outstanding conciliation for TWP noncompliance must be resolved prior to approval of any reapplication. Refer to Volume X, Chapter 5, Sanction Override (SANO) screen, and follow the system procedures provided to resolve an outstanding sanction when the individual meets an exemption or a fair hearing is involved. A sanctioned individual may reapply for benefits at any time. However, he/she will not be eligible for benefits until the penalty period has ended. Any re-application filed prior to the 15th day of the last month of the minimum sanction period must be denied. The worker will need to explain the sanction period, re-application requirements, TWP referral process and the need to comply before reapproval. Re-applications received on or after the 15th day of the last month of the minimum sanction period will be accepted and the applicant will be required to comply with UJS requirements prior to approval, if otherwise eligible. MAVERICS will generate a referral that must be pulled to JAWS. If the individual fails to comply, the case manager will deny the application on the third day. Only when compliance is met will the JAWS system send a referral back to MAVERICS,

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