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6021 Volume III | Chapter 6

MISSISSIPPI [ BUDGETARY PROCESS: GENERAL PRINCIPLES ]

Revised 12 - 01 - 17

no later than the 10th of the month following the month in which the income exceeded 185%. If the income will cause TANF ineligibility, the first month of the disregard will be the month the income would have made the individual ineligible for TANF benefits. If the client fails to report the change timely, the worker will determine when the 6-month disregard should have started and if any months remain after the employment is reported. Only the remaining months, if any, would be eligible for the disregard. Reporting Requirement When Employment is Not a Reportable Change: If the income from the new employment does not meet or exceed 185% of the need standard established at the most recent case review, the new job would not be a reportable change. This means the client does not have to report the employment until the next case review. EXAMPLES: 1. An individual applies for TANF and is approved on April 13th. She is exempt from TWP and has until May 13th to find full-time employment to receive the 6-month disregard. The recipient obtains a job working 35 hours a week on April 24th. The income from the new job exceeds 185% of the need standard for the household in May. Since this is a reportable change, she must notify the worker no later than June 10th. The client reports her new job to the worker on June 2nd and elects to receive the 6-month disregard. After verification is received from the employer, the worker will process the case allowing the total earned income disregard for May-October. 2. An individual is approved for TANF on July 22nd. She is exempt from TWP and has until August 21st to find full-time employment to receive the 6-month disregard. The recipient obtains a job working 20 hours a week on August 1st. The prospective income from the new job does not exceed 185% of the need standard for the household. Therefore, it is not a reportable change and should be reported at case review. Three Month Total Earned Income Disregard (3D) A 3-month total earned income disregard will be available only when the TANF case is subject to closure because of increased earnings and the individual is employed at least 25 hours per week at federal minimum wage level or higher. The recipient must not have already received the 6- month disregard (unless there has been at least a 12 consecutive month break in receipt of TANF benefits.) The 3-month disregard opportunity may be available more than once during the 60- month TANF maximum when the TANF case has been closed for at least 12 consecutive months before the family reapplies and is approved for TANF again. Once started, the 3-month

disregard will continue regardless of an increase in income. If the individual s work hours individual