Page 645

MISSISSIPPI

9030

[PROGRAM COMPONENTS: TANF WORK ACTIVITES DEFINED]

Revised 08-01-12

NON PAID WORK ACTIVITIES Participants engaged in non-paid work activities may be eligible for the following TANF supportive services: child care, work (transportation) stipend, participation stipend and work-related expenses. Refer to Volume III, Chapter 10, TWP Payment Process, for additional information. Participants may also receive participation credit for assigned/scheduled hours or days on which the participant is excused from work activity assignments due to limited holidays and excused absences. Refer to Volume III, Chapter 9, Holidays and Excused Absences for Non-Paid Work Activities, for detailed information. The six (6) non-paid “core” work activities are defined below: Alternative Work Experience (AWEP) and Community Service Programs - “Core” Activity Many individuals, particularly the young and long-term unemployed, have difficulty obtaining employment. The main objective of assigning a TWP participant to a work experience (AWEP) or community service activity is to improve work skills by offering training and experience for a better understanding of the work world and/or correct behavioral programs such as attitude, personal appearance (dress/grooming/hygiene), punctuality, etc., so the individual may move more quickly into full-time employment. These positions are not funded and the participant receives no pay. TWP participants assigned to AWEP or community service (volunteer placements) must register with the Department of Employment Security. Six-Month Placement Limitations Individual volunteer placements will not exceed a maximum of six months per federal fiscal year and no more than six months with the same worksite provider. AmeriCorp (Vista) volunteers may be exempt from the six-month limitation per federal fiscal year based on the length of their signed contract. (Refer to AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers for further information.) Extensions beyond the sixmonth limitations are based on the following: • Continuation of a current placement requires written approval from the regional director to include the time period for which the extension is granted, if approved; and