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North Carolina

10 INDIAN TRIBES

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are approved to operate a Tribal TANF plan by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. The EBCI TANF Tribal plan provides for the intake, eligibility determination, cash assistance, employment services, and case management for tribal families. The EBCI continues to operate a pre-existing Native Employment Worker (NEW) program. Therefore, North Carolina does not include these individuals in the state’s federal work participation rate.

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS

Counties may establish Individual Development Accounts (IDA) projects locally based on the counties’ resources available. Counties’ IDA projects must comply with federal regulations and with Section 404 (h) of the Social Security Act.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Division complies with state and federal law/regulation as it pertains to confidential information. North Carolina General Statute 108A-80 states that it is unlawful for information to be released from a family’s records, except for the purposes directly connected with the administration of programs of public assistance and social services. The General Statute requires the Division to establish and enforce policies governing restrictions on the use and disclosure of any information concerning applicants and recipients of public assistance and comply with applicable provisions of the Social Security Act concerning confidentiality.

FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION

North Carolina has adopted the Family Violence Option. The State has developed standards and procedures to notify all Work First applicants and recipients about domestic violence and the Option, and to identify applicants and recipients with a history of being a victim of domestic violence. These individuals are referred to counseling and supportive services (while maintaining their confidentiality) and may receive a temporary waiver from one or more Work First requirements, if domestic violence is preventing them from meeting these requirements.

The Department may waive Work First requirements such as time limits, participation in work activities, child support cooperation, and family cap provisions in cases where there is good cause that compliance would make it more difficult for the recipient to escape domestic violence. These waivers also apply to situations that would unfairly penalize someone who is, or has been, a victim of domestic violence. The length of waivers is determined on a case-by-case basis but may not exceed six months at a time may be reevaluated as appropriate.

LOCAL DEMONSTRATIONS OR PILOT PROGRAMS

Counties may apply to design and operate demonstrations or pilot programs to investigate various ways of meeting the Work First program purposes and goals. These demonstrations will likely be in areas in which the county lacks the authority to make specific program changes. Funding, in addition to the county’s local block grant, may or may not be provided. There may be instances in which the State asks for proposals to address a specific topic. In other situations, counties may apply to the State to operate a pilot without an official request from the State.