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North Carolina

32 The need standard is based on the number of eligible family members: Number on Work First 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Need Standard $362 $472 $544 $594 $648 $698 $746 $772 Number on Work First 9 10 11 12 13 14 Each additional Need Standard $812 $860 $896 $946 $992 $1,042 Add $50

 A family remains eligible as long as the result of the payment calculation is twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more. Payments, including prorated payments for the month of application or termination, will not be made for less than twenty-five dollars.  For the month of application, Work First payments are prorated from the date of application with the date of application being day one. Otherwise, payments are made for the full month.

9. Proceeds from non-recurring lump sum payments are counted as a resource beginning the month after the month of receipt for ongoing cases. For pending applications, the non- recurring lump sum payment is counted as income in the month of receipt and as a resource beginning the month after the month of receipt.

10. When an adult Work First recipient or applicant is potentially eligible for other government benefits, such as Unemployment Insurance Benefits, the adult is required to apply for those benefits. If the adult fails to apply by the deadline established by the county or the adult refuses to apply, the family is not eligible for Work First.

11. Certain families, as defined in the Work First Manual, may be required to report income, participation hours, and other information to their county department. Failure to submit a timely report results in termination of Work First assistance. The reporting process will be defined in the Work First Manual.

Application Process

County departments of social services/agencies are responsible for developing a benefit package as quickly as possible to help families move toward self-sufficiency. As appropriate, counties should offer families other services to enable them to remain off cash assistance. Such services include Diversion Assistance, child support services, child care, and job placement services. Diversion Assistance (Benefit Diversion or Emergency Assistance) must be based on a family’s specific crisis or episode of need and may not be used for ongoing or recurrent needs.

The time limit for processing applications for WFFA is 45 days. It is expected that most applications will be processed well within this time limit. In general, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide all the information, including verifications, needed to determine eligibility. Applicants may request assistance in obtaining information. The agency’s obligation to assist the applicant is described in the Work First Policy Manual.

Applications may be denied within the 45-day processing period for any of the following reasons:

 The applicant fails to provide information needed to determine eligibility;  The applicant refuses or fails to apply for unemployment benefits, when monetarily eligible, or refuses or fails to apply for other benefits, such as Social Security or veterans benefits, for