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68 North Carolina 14. Single parents may claim the single custodial parent claiming newborn exemption for the first three (3) months of a child’s life. Once the 12-month lifetime exemption has been exhausted the parent will be required to participate in the employment program as soon as authorization is given from their doctor. Also, if a parent volunteers to participate in the employment program, he/she may not reclaim the exemption for the same child. 15. All parents in the home must have their GED or high school diploma or be enrolled in a satisfactory attending education enhancement class (i.e., GED, adult high school, English as a Second Language, literacy, etc.) unless there is good cause. Verification of attendance and satisfactory progress will be provided monthly by the parent(s) or the Work First case will terminate unless there is good cause. Work First case managers will use the same GED attendance and progress verification form used for employment cases on all cases where the parent is in the home to measure this requirement. Parents will meet with the case manager monthly and enter into a Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA). Parents will be required to complete a minimum of 15 class hours per week unless there is good cause. Success of children depends on them having a good role model representing the importance of education. 16. All Work First cases will be reviewed every twelve (12) months. 17. All mandatory able-bodied Work First participants will be required to complete at least 35 hours per week of work or work-related activities to meet participation hours unless there is good cause. 18. All applicants whose Work First case terminated for not completing a review will be required to provide all verifications needed for the review (school attendance, health checkups, immunizations, etc.) when re-applying for Work First Cash Assistance within three (3) months of the termination date. The three (3)-month time period includes the one (1) month of ineligibility. CATAWBA COUNTY 1. To approve a Benefit Diversion application, Applicants must complete the following requirements: A. cooperate with Child Support; B. apply or be receiving Food and Nutrition Services; C. register with Division of Workforce Solutions – NCWorks if not already employed or job being held for the applicant, and D. if monetarily eligible for Unemployment Benefits (UIB) must apply for the UIB. 2. Applicants must cooperate with child support within 12 calendar days of applying for Work First cash assistance. If the applicant fails or refuses to do so without good cause, deny the application for Work First cash assistance. 3. Applicants must apply for Medicaid or be receiving Medicaid before applying for Work First. 4. Applicants must be receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) (food assistance) or be evaluated for FNS within 12 calendar days of applying for Work First cash assistance. If the applicant fails or refuses to do so without good cause, deny the application for Work First and notify the Medicaid worker (applicants must apply for Medicaid before applying for Work First cash assistance). 5. All Work First applicants and recipients referred to Vocational Rehabilitation must complete the application and comply with all recommendations. Failure or refusal to