Page 791

MISSISSIPPI

10041

Revised 02-01-11

WORK (TRANSPORTATION) ASSISTANCE FOR TANF APPLICANTS TANF applicants who are required to participate in up-front job search activities prior to TANF approval will complete the TWP intake process which includes assessment of the individual’s transportation needs. The case manager will explore the transportation options with each TANF applicant to determine what resources are available and what arrangements can be made. Work stipends and bus passes are not available to TANF applicants during the 30-day TANF application processing period. If the TANF application is approved and the recipient is determined to be work eligible, the case will be referred to JAWS for participation in the TANF Work Program. Work stipends or bus passes will be available when the participant is placed in an allowable work activity, if otherwise eligible. WORK (TRANSPORTATION) ASSISTANCE FOR ACTIVE TANF CASES (TWP) Assessment for Transportation Services - Active TANF Cases Work stipends are available to TANF recipients who are determined work eligible and required to participate in the TANF Work Program. The need for work assistance will be determined prior to assignment to TWP work activities and provided in the form of bus passes (where available) and work stipends. The case manager will encourage the participant to receive work stipend payments if he/she owns or has access to a private vehicle or if carpooling can be arranged. A participant receiving work stipend payments for private vehicle transportation must develop and provide the case manager with his/her transportation plan. This plan must describe how the participant will travel to and from his/her work site and how his/her child(ren) will be transported to and from day care. The plan must also include the participant’s backup plan that will be used in the event the primary plan fails. The TWP Participant Travel Form, MDHS-EA-357, will be used to document the participant’s transportation plans. The case manager will discuss the importance of reliable transportation and the impact the lack of transportation may have on the family’s ability to participate in work program activities and move toward self-sufficiency. The case manager will use the Participant Contact Record (PACR) screen to document the case record accordingly. The case manager will inform the participant that if there is a breakdown in transportation services, he/she must call the case manager or case manager supervisor as soon as possible to discuss other possible transportation