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9302 Special Rule for Teen Heads of Households 9302 Satisfactory Participation 9302 Satisfactory Participation in a TWP Component/Work Activity 9304 Unsatisfactory Participation

Volume III | Chapter 9 9 Revised 11-01-17 OVERVIEW The goal of the TANF Work Program (TWP) is to provide TWP participants with the necessary skills, training, and supportive services that will lead them to self-sufficiency. At approval the TWP participant must report to the WIN Job Center to complete the assessment process. After being assessed, all TWP participants are required to participate in allowable work activities as scheduled and assigned by MDES. Activity assignments or placements must be in compliance with all TWP policies and procedures. The MDHS case manager will be responsible for entering and tracking activity assignments in the Jobs Automated Work System (JAWS). Documenting and monitoring monthly attendance will also be the conducted by the MDHS case manager. This chapter defines each of the program components (work activities) of the TANF Work Program (TWP). A TWP work activity/component is a structured, regularly scheduled program activity for TWP participants. Federal law specifies twelve separate and distinct work activities. Nine (9) are defined as core work activities and three (3) are defined as non-core work activities. All countable participation (actual hours, holidays, and excused hours counted) reported for a core activity will be counted toward the participant’s monthly participation requirement. Countable participation (actual hours, holidays, and excused hours counted) reported for a non-core activity will only be counted if the individual participates a minimum of 20 hours per week in one of the nine core activities. CORE AND NON CORE ACTIVITIES Federal regulations define core activities as those allowable work activities in which all countable participation (actual hours, holidays, and excused hours counted) reported will be counted toward the participant’s monthly participation requirement. Non-core activities are defined as allowable work activities in which countable participation (actual hours, holidays, and excused hours counted) reported will only be counted if the individual participates an average of 20 hours per week in one of the nine core activities. A participant must participate a minimum of 80 hours in a core activity during a four-week month, and a minimum of 100 hours in a core activity during a five-week month before any hours reported for a non-core activity will be counted in the participation rate calculation. The 80 and 100 hours can be a combination of actual hours, excused hours counted, and holidays. This rule applies to all participants, regardless of the youngest child’s age.