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Volume III | Chapter 9

MISSISSIPPI PARTICIPATION IN THE TANF WORK PROGRAM]

Revised 10-01-14 OVERVIEW This material discusses the requirements for satisfactory participation in a TANF Work Program activity. PARTICIPATION IN THE TANF WORK PROGRAM All adult TANF recipients who are determined work eligible are required to participate in the TANF Work Program in order to continue receiving TANF benefits. Federal law limits the receipt of TANF benefits to a lifetime maximum of 60 months for any adult. State law limits the receipt of TANF to a maximum of 24 months for work eligible adults who fail to participate, without good cause, in allowable TANF Work Program activities. The TANF 24-month time limit counter will not increment when a TWP participant is assigned to an allowable work activity. The case manager is responsible for and will be held accountable for TANF timeliness standards. Full Engagement The focus of case management is to identify employment barriers, place participants in allowable TWP work activities and other program activities designed to deal with the core difficulties participants experience in finding and retaining employment. TANF Work Program participants vary widely in their capabilities, skills and disabilities. Federal regulations allow for the provision of full engagement, i.e., up to 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. This allows states the flexibility to design programs, structure case management services and work program activities in ways that afford all participants an opportunity to participate in core work activities and be engaged in a variety of other activities deemed necessary to overcome unique barriers in order to become self- sufficient. This concept allows case management to couple work activities to ensure participants can meet their monthly federal participation requirements while engaging in a variety of work activities deemed necessary to become self-sufficient. Participants must be assessed individually and employment plans individualized to include requirements and services designed to move the family toward self-sufficiency and independence. Each participant’s Employability Development Plan (EDP) will be individualized to address the core difficulties and employment barriers identified during the assessment process.

Volume III Chapter 9

[PROGRAM COMPONENTS: SATISFACTORY

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