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MISSISSIPPI [ PROGRAM COMPONENTS: TANF WORK ACTIVITIES DEFINED]

Revised 08 - 01 - 12

Volume III | Chapter 9 9001 PAID WORK ACTIVITIES TWP participants engaged in paid work activities may be eligible for the following supportive services: child care, work (transportation) stipend, work-related expenses, and transitional supportive services. Refer to Volume III, Chapter 10, TWP Payment Process, for additional information. A TWP participant whose TANF case is subject to case closure due to earned income may be eligible for a six (6) or three (3) month earned income disregard. Refer to Volume III, Chapter 9, TANF Total Earned Income Disregards for Paid Work Activities, and Chapter 6, Budgeting Earned Income/Special Disregards, for additional information. TWP participation (attendance) for paid work activities will be projected for up to six months at a time. Refer to Volume III, Chapter 9, Projecting Attendance Forward for Paid Work Activities, for additional information. The three (3) paid, core work activities are defined below. Unsubsidized Employment - Core Activity Unsubsidized employment is full- or part-time employment in the public or private sector for which the state does not furnish aid or support to the employer for wages paid to the TANF recipient. Unsubsidized employment is a core activity and the weekly projected work hours will be counted in the participation rate calculation. Projected work hours must be based on employer reports, check stubs, or other employer-issued documentation which verifies the number of hours reported. This includes hours for which the individual is paid but does not work, e.g., paid leave and paid holidays. A participant engaged in unsubsidized employment (full- or part-time) will continue to be eligible for TANF Work Program services as long as the participant continues to receive TANF benefits and comply with TWP requirements. If TANF benefits end due to earned income or loss of a total earned income disregard, the participant may be eligible for transitional supportive services. The eligibility criteria for each TANF transitional supportive service is different. Refer to Chapter 10, Supportive Services, for the eligibility criteria for receiving each transitional service. Unsubsidized employment may result from: ∙ up-front job search activities completed during the TANF application processing period; ∙ self-initiated job search; or ∙ structured job search activities. Full-time Employment An individual who is working 35 or more hours per week and earning at least minimum wage is 9010