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WORK (TRANSPORTATION) STIPEND The work stipend is provided to offset the cost of a TANF Work Program (TWP) participant’s transportation expenses so that the individual may participate in TWP activities. The transitional work stipend is provided to assist a family that loses TANF eligibility due to employment and meets certain eligibility criteria. Successful use of this supportive service requires open communication and cooperation between case management, county and regional directors, and the participants/ families served. The case manager will make every effort to offer the most appropriate type of service available, as deemed necessary. Participants receiving work stipend payments must accept personal responsibility and work toward making their own transportation arrangements to reduce their dependence on agency assistance. Only one type of service (stipend or bus pass) will be approved and authorized for the participant each month. Service Types There are two types of services that may be offered to ongoing (TWP) and transitional (TRN) participants: 1. Bus Pass 2. Work Stipend County directors will ensure case managers have the tools needed to make valid transportation assessments, e.g., bus schedules, route maps, county resource directory, etc. When selecting the type of service to be offered, the case manager will consider the following: • Availability of a public transit system • Location of the participant’s residence and work site to a bus route • Distance from the participant’s residence and the work site to a bus stop and • Shifts or work schedules reasonably accommodated by the bus schedule, including bus transfers Areas with Public Transit In areas where public transit systems are available, a bus pass is the first type of service to be considered. If the case manager determines a bus pass is not feasible for the participant or the participant owns a vehicle, the work stipend may be approved. In these instances, the case manager will clearly document the reason(s) for approving the work stipend via the Maintain Client Barriers (MCLB) and Participant Contact Record (PACR) screens.

Volume III| Chapter 10 10030 MISSISSIPPI [ TANF WORK PROGRAM PAYMENT PROCESS: SUPPORTIVE SERVICES]

Revised 02 - 01 - 11