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BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION Employment barriers are defined as anything (e.g., child care, transportation, education, work skills, work ethic, attitude, housing, medical problems, etc.) that may hinder or prevent an individual’s participation in the TANF Work Program (TWP). TANF Work Program participants should accept personal responsibility for identifying and informing the MDES interviewer of any known problems or issues that may be a barrier, which could hinder or prevent participation in the TANF Work Program. Although the first opportunity to identify any barriers is during the TWP orientation by MDHS, the MDES will complete an assessment of each TWP participant referred after case approval If barriers are identified before the TANF case is approved or before the case is referred to the MDES, the MDHS case manager must address and/or direct the participant/applicant as needed. This includes contacting with the WIN Job Center or any other resource in the area. The MDHS case manager must notify the MDES interviewer using the MDHS-EA-387, TWP MDHS/MDES Communication Form, if any potential barriers to participation exist. After referred to MDES, it is vital for a participant to notify the MDES interviewer as soon as a barrier to participation is identified. The MDES interviewer must make every effort to assist the participant to resolve barriers prior to job loss or noncompliance with work program requirements. Once the MDES interviewer will send the MDHS-EA-387 the same day the barriers are identified. The completed MDHS-EA-357, TANF Work Program Participant Travel Form, MDHS-EA-379, TANF Child Care Services Application and the MDHS-EA-380, Child Care Provider Selection Form, will be sent to the MDHS case manager the same day of receipt from the participant, if needed. NOTE: The individual is not entitled to any supportive services until the case is approved Failure to satisfactorily participate in an assigned work activity or to get or keep a job because of inappropriate actions/behavior or the loss or lack of child care or transportation, without good cause, will result in a TWP sanction and corresponding SNAP sanction.

Potential Barriers to TANF Work Program Participation

Some barriers may not be reasons for an exemption from participation in TWP. Circumstances that can be barriers to participation include: 1. No available or reliable childcare. 2. No available or reliable transportation. 3. Temporary (less than 30 days) health care problems or advice from a doctor, which prevents participation (change the Jobs Status Code to JL-temporary illness). 4. A criminal record, which prevents participation. MISSISSIPPI [ REFERRAL TO THE TANF WORK PROGRAM: BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION]

Revised 11 - 01 - 17 Volume III | Chapter 8 8110