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North Carolina

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A family is not eligible for WFFA unless the parent(s) or caretaker(s) signs the MRA. The second part of the MRA, The Plan of Action /Outcome Plan, is the Work Eligible parent’s plan to meet the work requirements. This part:

1. Establishes employment goals for the parent(s); 2. Describes a plan for participating in work or work-related activities and the hours required in each activity; and 3. Describes the case management and supportive services that will be provided to help the family successfully meet the requirements of the MRA and move towards self-sufficiency. Supportive services may include reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and language assistance for LEP populations.

All MRA-Plan of Action Agreements/Outcome Plan must include:

 Contact their Work First worker immediately if a change occurs that prevents them from completing the activities described on the MRA Plan of Action /Outcome Plan.  Accept and keep any reasonable job offered. The participant will not quit a job, refuse an offer of employment or fail to follow up on job referrals without good cause.  Submit verification of all activities completed each month by the fifth (5th) work day of the following month.  Acknowledge the requirements listed on the MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan and Core Requirements and their payment will stop. The family may apply for Medicaid.

A family whose parent refuses to sign the MRA-Plan of Action /Outcome Plan (if required) loses its benefits for at least one month. Benefits will not be restored until the parent signs the MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan.

Employment Assistance for Work Eligible Individuals

The Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) is the presumptive primary deliverer of job placement services for the Work First program and a critical partner with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Registration for work with DWS will be 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 will be required to register for work with DWS. This requirement will be included on their MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan.

Failure to register for work with DWS as part of the Job Search component will result in a sanction, which entails the loss of the WFFA payment for one month or until compliance, whichever is longer. If the parent is an ongoing Work First case, receiving “Work First cash assistance,” the family will not receive their Work First cash benefits for the month that they failed to comply with Job Search requirements outlined on their MRA. The family may apply for Medicaid.

Counties also may contract with the local Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) for additional services such as job search, job placement, and referrals to community services. Modifications