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North Carolina

4  The family must have a child who lives with a parent or relative as defined in Work First policy and who meets the age requirements for Work First.  Total income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.  Family members must meet the same citizenship requirements and resource limits as for Work First.  Countable income is the same as for Work First.

APPEALS PROCESS

For Standard Counties, the N. C. Department of Health and Human Services has set uniform policies for determining eligibility, providing benefits, and ensuring fair and equitable treatment. Applicants or recipients who wish to contest a decision adversely affecting their receipt of WFFA or workers contending a breach of the non-displacement in work activity provision of federal law, may appeal in accordance with N.C.G.S. 108A-79. Families are informed of their right to appeal and are provided with copies of Work First policy upon request. Electing Counties, as required by State law, have established a local appeals process that substantially complies with the appeals process outlined in N.C.G.S. 108A-79. For Electing Counties, all appeals for Work First are heard locally, not by the State Division of Social Services. Applicants and recipients with disabilities and language needs are provided with reasonable accommodations to assist them in participating in the appeals process if requested.

WORK FIRST SERVICES

It is important that families receive the services needed to assist them in moving toward self- sufficiency. All counties have maximum flexibility in deciding how they utilize their block grants to provide services to enable families to become and remain self-sufficient. The flexibility available to county departments of social services/agencies makes it impossible to outline all of the services that may be provided. Services that are not specifically prohibited by federal law or regulation may be provided. To the extent that Work First services are available, they may be provided to recipients of Work First Cash Assistance at any time to support the activities in the MRA/Outcome Plan. In addition, support and family enrichment services may be provided for families whose income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level, and work-related services may be provided to non-custodial parents of Work First recipient children. The Electing County’s Work First Plan describes how services will be provided.

Serving Non-Custodial Parents (Optional in All Counties)

Child support should be a primary income source for most Work First families and a way for former Work First families to remain off Work First. To enhance non-custodial parents’ ability to pay child support, North Carolina allows counties to provide work-related services for non- custodial parents of minor children who are Work First recipients. The non-custodial parent’s family income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. The non-custodial parent is not considered a member of the custodial parent’s or caretaker’s family. In addition to the ability to provide work-related services, Work First staff is encouraged to work with their local Child Support Enforcement Office and judicial system to have child support orders modified to require the non-custodial parent’s participation in employment activities.