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66 North Carolina APPENDIX C - ELECTING COUNTY PROTOCOLS BEAUFORT COUNTY 1. If a participant receives Benefit Diversion and subsequently applies for and begins to receive Work First cash assistance during the next 12 months, the participant will be responsible for paying back any diversion assistance that has been received. 2. No exception to family cap policy for a child born to a minor mother. 3. At or below 200% of the poverty level, an applicant must be actively seeking employment or be employed. The certification period will be for three months with the possibility of an extension not to exceed six months within a 12-month period. 4. Beaufort County will provide an emergency assistance payment to Safety Resource families that request assistance with caring for children placed in their home by Child Welfare when the permanent plan is to return the children(ren) to the parent’s care within six (6) months. 5. Caretakers are encouraged to seek legal custody for child(ren). 6. Single parents with a child three (3) months-old or younger are exempt from the requirement to participate in Work First employment activities. 7. All mandatory (able-bodied) participants will be required to complete at least 35 hours per week of work or work-related activities. The hourly requirements for two parent households are, 35 hours per week of work or, work related activities. If federally funded child care is involved, then the hourly requirement for a two-parent household is required to complete 55 hours per week of work or work-related activities. 8. Job search and time sheets must be submitted weekly. 9. Direct reimbursement of transportation expenses for use of a personal vehicle is limited to the reimbursements rate for county employees. 10. All mandatory Work First Employment participants are encouraged to complete high school or GED within 24-month time limit. 11. All mandatory Work First Employment participants with employment-related physical or mental limitations will be referred to VR for assessment of eligibility or ineligibility for services 12. Three-step hearing process: (1) local hearing with hearing officer designated by Agency Director; (2) Hearing before DSS Board and (3) Petition to Superior Court 13. Local hearing decision will be mailed to participant via certified mail. Participant will have 15 days to request a hearing at the second level, which is before the DSS Board. Failure to request hearing within the 15-day time frame will result in forfeiting their right to appeal local hearing officers’ decision. 14. Agency will assist participants in obtaining verification of citizenship and/or identity. CALDWELL COUNTY 1. Applicant is responsible for all verifications needed to complete the application. Caldwell County will assist applicants with disabilities or limited English proficiency upon request. 2. Benefit Diversion may be offered only once every two years. Once a case is approved as Benefit Diversion the family cannot receive diversion assistance again for 2 years after the end of the certification period.