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MISSISSIPPI [ PROGRAM COMPONENTS: TANF WORK ACTIVITES DEFINED] Revised 08 - 01 - 12 Job Readiness/Job Search - “Core” Activity Job readiness and job search activities must have a direct connection to improving employability or finding employment, and are defined as the act of seeking or obtaining employment, preparation to seek or obtain employment, including life skills training, and substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or rehabilitation activities for those who need these services to improve employability. Job readiness and job search are considered as one activity by Federal law. Job readiness/job search activities are limited to a maximum of 120 or 180 hours during any 12-month period with no more than four (4) consecutive weeks counted in the participation rate calculation. Job readiness/job search activities will be supervised daily. 120/180-Hour Maximum In order to determine the maximum hours that could be allowed in any 12-month period, federal regulations define one week for a single custodial parent with a child under age six (6) as 20 hours and 30 hours per week for all other work-eligible individuals. Therefore, a six-week period equates to 120 hours (20 x 6) for participants with a child under age six or 180 hours (30 x 6) for participants whose youngest child is age six or older. 12-Month Period October 2008 was the first month in the initial 12-month period. A maximum of 120 or 180 hours may be reported during any 12-month period. The 12-month period continually rolls and will always be the current report month plus the prior 11 months. A participant with a child under age six is limited to 120 hours during any “rolling” 12-month period. A participant whose youngest child is age six (6) or older is limited to 180 hours during any “rolling” 12-month period. The JAWS Attendance History (ATTH) screen displays a history of the current 12- month period. This history is broken down by the number of hours reported by month, the total hours reported to date, and the total hours available. The case manager will use this screen for tracking and planning purposes. Increase/Decrease in the 120/180-Hour Maximum Adjustments in the 120/180 hour allowance will be applied on a case-by-case basis as the family’s circumstances change. The increase (120 to 180) or decrease (180 to 120) will be effective the report month following the report month in which a change occurs. The maximum hours for a participant whose youngest child turns age six (6) during the report month of October, will increase from 120 to 180 hours effective for the report month of November. If

Volume III | Chapter 9

9060 MISSISSIPPI [ PROGRAM COMPONENTS: TANF WORK ACTIVITES DEFINED]

Revised 08 - 01 - 12