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MISSISSIPPI Volume III | Chapter 10

10055 [TANF WORK PROGRAM PAYMENT PROCESS: SUPPORTIVE SERVICES]

Revised 02-01-11

day of the following month. The case manager will not authorize additional work stipend payments until verification of continue employment is received and continued eligibility is determined. This may delay authorization of the stipend for the first month in the three-month projection period. This case manager will discuss eligibility criteria, attendance reporting requirements and payment authorization with the individual at the appointment for transitional services. Individuals who fail to provide verification of continued employment timely will have their Transitional Work Assistance (TT) Program closed. Once a Transitional Work Assistance (TT) Program closes for this reason, it will not be “opened back up” unless it is determined an agency error occurred. Entering Attendance in JAWS for Transitional Work Stipends The automated process for entering projected attendance data for UNS/TRN components has not been completed. Attendance data for UNS/TRN components will continue to be entered in JAWS via the Component Attendance Report Selection (SCAR) screen (ARPW pop-up window.) Authorizing Transitional Work Stipends JAWS requires the case manager to approve the individual’s participation before authorizing a stipend or issuing a bus pass. There are no system edits in JAWS to prohibit the case manager from authorizing transitional work stipend payments if the individual fails to meet the required work hours or participate satisfactorily. It is the case manager’s responsibility to monitor and track the individual’s participation and ensure required work hours are met before authorizing a work stipend or issuing a bus pass. JAWS requires the case manager to enter a “Y” in the Client is Satisfactorily Participating field on the Authorize Transportation Stipend (TSAU) screen before the stipend can be authorized. A “Y” entered in this field serves as the case manager’s validation that he/she has reviewed the case and the individual is satisfactorily participating in the program and submitting attendance verification timely. JAWS will not allow the case manager to request partial payments for transitional work stipends. Individuals approved for transitional work stipends will always receive the full amount for the total scheduled hours range approved ($300, $240 or $180), regardless of the date of the month on which the application was completed and approved. JAWS will increment the individual’s transitional work stipend (TT) counter for the benefit month. Refer to Chapter 10, Transitional Work Stipend (TT) Counter, for additional information.

[TANF WORK PROGRAM PAYMENT PROCESS: