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29 North Carolina

A family whose parent refuses to sign the MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan without good cause, is ineligible for Work First Cash Assistance. The WF payment is not issued for the month of non-compliance, the case terminates, and the family may re-apply at any time but may not be approved until the month following the missed payment.

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR WORK ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

The NC Department of Commerce, Workforce Solutions Division is the presumptive, primary deliverer of job placement services for the Work First program and a critical partner with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. The Division operates over 80 local agencies across the state called NC Works Career Centers.

Registration for work with the NC Works Career Center is a prerequisite to participation in the Job Search component of Work First. All work eligible participants who are assessed as ready to engage in job search are required to register for work with NC Works Career Center. This requirement will be included on their MRA-B/Outcome Plan. Failure to register for work with the NC Works Career Center will result in termination of Work First benefits.

Counties also may contract with the local NC Works Career Centers for additional services such as job search, job placement, and referrals to community services. Modifications and/or accommodations may be necessary to assist individuals with registration and access to employment services.

WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

The State requires all Work First applicants to be assessed for employability at application for Work First Cash Assistance and again within three months of receiving assistance. If deemed work eligible, the Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA-B) Outcome Plan must be created and signed by the applicant within 5 days of the date of application. The MRA-B Outcome Plan includes realistic and obtainable goals and activities that will enable the family to participate in federal countable work activities and become economically self-sufficient.

Single parents of children less than 12 months of age are excluded from the participation rate calculation if they do not complete enough countable hours to be deemed engaged in work. This exclusion is for a cumulative total period of 12 months (lifetime exemption). In all counties, single parents with children under age six (6) who demonstrate that necessary child care is not available are not sanctioned. (See Child Care Section for required definitions.)

MRA-B /Outcome Plans are individualized based on an employability assessment. Often, an Outcome Plan will reflect fewer hours per week of activities than required to meet the Work Participation Rate. This may be due to a shortage of appropriate activities, a shortage of necessary support services, or other personal limitations of the participant. County Work First staff are responsible for balancing these limitations against the expectation of full-time participation and the requirement to meet the participation rates. All work eligible individuals are expected to strive and make progress