Page 591

[REFERRAL TO THE TANF WORK PROGRAM:

MISSISSIPPI INTAKE]

Revised 11-01-17

OVERVIEW

The material in this section will discuss the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) Work Program (TWP) Work Registration requirements for TANF applicants, the Vocational Rehabilitation requirements for TANF applicants and recipients, and the eligibility requirements for the TWP. This section will define the nonexempt individuals who are required to participate in TWP and the exempt individuals who volunteer to participate in TWP. The responsibilities of the Mississippi Department of Human Services case managers and Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) WIN Job Center interviewers after the TANF case is approved will be discussed later in this chapter.

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN TWP WORK REGISTRATION OR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

Caseworkers at each local county office determine whether TANF applicants are required to participate in and/or comply with TWP Work Registration (TWR) (formerly Up-Front Job Search) or Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) requirements during the TANF application processing period. Refer to Chapter 3, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and/or TANF Work Program, for more detailed information.

When it is determined that a TANF applicant is referable to case management for TWR or Vocational Rehabilitation requirements, the eligibility worker will schedule a TWP appointment with case management within three (3) days. Based on case actions taken by the eligibility worker, MAVERICS will create a TWR or VR file. The case manager will use the Pull Case Data (PUCA) screen in the Jobs Automated Work System (JAWS) to pull the case from MAVERICS to have immediate, real time access to the file. The eligibility worker will document the referral, via the MDHS-EA-319A, TANF Referral Log, which will be forwarded to the case manager supervisor the same day. The case manager supervisor will use the MDHS-EA-319A to make case manager assignments. In counties where the eligibility worker and case manager are the same, the MDHS-EA- 319A will not be necessary. When a manual referral is received, the case manager will access the Pull Case Data (PUCA) screen in JAWS to “pull” the referred client. Once the client is “pulled,” the client’s information will display on the Client Information Inquiry (ICLI) screen and assign the client to the case manager’s caseload.

NOTE: The TANF Program Status for all referable TANF applicant cases will be in REceived status. The Received status will update to PEnded status if the application is processed with pended information. The TANF case status and date will be updated to OPen at approval.

TWP Work Registration