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o apprenticeships o industry recognized credentials o life and soft skills
Families that are eligible for this program must be at or below 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
c. Ensure that parents and caretakers receiving assistance engage in work in accordance with section 407 (section 402(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act)
Mississippi will ensure that work eligible individuals (adult heads of household, needy caretaker relatives and non-recipient parents) receiving assistance under the Program will engage in work activities in accordance with regulation described in Section 407, Title IV of the Social Security Act. Mississippi will comply with the mandatory work requirements and strive to meet the 50% participation rate required under current TANF regulations. Participation rate requirements may be adjusted based on reduction in the caseload. Work requirements and activities are defined in the Combined State Plan, TANF section (b) above. This document will be open for public review and comment according to the Administrative Procedures Act. The work requirements and activities are tracked through the MDHS eligibility and case management systems interface throughout the period of assistance to ensure compliance is met, appropriate penalties imposed, and time limits not exceeded. Exemptions TANF mandates participation in approved work activities for all adult recipients who do not meet specific exemption criteria. All adults who are not specifically exempt will be referred for work activities. When appropriate, reasonable accommodations and language assistance will be provided to recipients to ensure meaningful access and effective communication. An adult included in the TANF grant assistance unit may be exempt from the mandatory work requirements for one of the following reasons:
o Incapacitated and not eligible for vocational rehabilitation services o Temporary illness or injury o Pregnancy in third trimester if there is a verified complication with the pregnancy o Caretaker of a child under 12 months old (up to 12 months) o Caretaker of an ill or incapacitated person o Age (over 60 and under 18) o Domestic violence victim (up to 12 months) o Caretaker in two-parent family of a child who is mentally retarded or physically handicapped
The State may exempt a TANF recipient from work requirements while receiving treatment for substance abuse as long as the recipient is in compliance with the treatment plan. If certain criteria are met, the recipient’s treatment plan may be defined and countable under the TWP job readiness activity.