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15 North Carolina

member has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, where the family is dealing with a severe illness of children or parents, or where there is a combination of factors that together constitute a hardship. • Whether the hardship condition is severe enough to prevent the parent from working on a regular basis.

Adults included in cases that have been granted hardship exemptions are expected to have an MRA-B Plan of Action/Outcome Plan in place that addresses each identified hardship criterion. Families are expected to work toward resolution of the problems as appropriate. Counties are expected to continue to provide necessary services to enable the family to work towards resolution of these issues. Exemptions can be granted for one to six months. At the end of the exemption period, the family may request another exemption.

Good cause considerations include, but are not limited to:

• A significant family crisis or change. • Illness of the caretaker or child, including participation in substance abuse treatment or medical appointment. • Civil leave, including jury duty, or a required court appearance. • A significant change in the participant’s work schedule by the employer. • Disruption in childcare arrangements. • Loss of transportation.

15. There is a state 60-month lifetime limit of assistance in North Carolina, for custodial parents who receive Work First Family Assistance for their children. Parents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are excluded from this policy.

16. In addition to the five-year federal lifetime limit, families who are active in North Carolina’s Work First Employment Services are limited to 24 cumulative months of cash assistance, unless an extension as described below is granted. Families may re-apply for Work First after being off assistance for 36 months. All counties are required to review all Work First cases no later than three months prior to the end of the 24-month time limit.

The review is to:

• Ensure that time limits have been tracked correctly; • Ensure the family is informed about other services; • Provide an extension if the family qualifies; and • Review the family status and assist them in identifying resources and support they need to maintain employment and family stability.

Up to 20% of Work First recipients may be enrolled, at least part-time, in a postsecondary education program. Recipients who are enrolled at least part time and who maintain a 2.5 grade point average (or its equivalent) shall have their two-year time limit suspended for up to three years.