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ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4 State Welfare Legislation ............................................................................................. 7 Statewide Social Services Reform and Work First Goals ......................................... 7 Program Administration .............................................................................................. 8 Work First Eligibility Criteria (Standard Counties Unless Otherwise Noted) ........ 11 Non-Financial Eligibility Rules .................................................................................. 11 Financial Rules ........................................................................................................... 17 Application Process ................................................................................................... 18 Eligibility Reviews ...................................................................................................... 20 Child-Only Cases........................................................................................................ 20 Benefit Diversion (County Option) ............................................................................ 21 Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services (MA/FNS)…………………...……….…..22 Work First Benefits Payment Policies………………..…………………………….……22 Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)…………..……………………………………….……. 23 Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Monitoring ......................................................... 24 Sanctions. ............................................................................................................... …24 Personal Responsibilities and Work Requirements..……………………….….....…..25 Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA)/Outcome Plan…………………….…….…26 Employment Assistance for Work Eligible Individuals……………………………….27 Work Responsibilities ................................................................................................ 27 Work Verification Requirements ............................................................................... 28 Child Care Definitions ................................................................................................ 29 Head Start/Early Education ....................................................................................... 30 Emergency Assistance (All Counties) ..................................................................... .30 Appeals Process ........................................................................................................ 31 Work First Services .................................................................................................... 31 Eldercare Training ...................................................................................................... 33 Homelessness ............................................................................................................ 33 Voter Registration ...................................................................................................... 34 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) ................................................ 36 Substance Use and Mental Health Initiative ............................................................ 36 Fraud and Abuse ........................................................................................................ 38 Out-of-Wedlock Births ............................................................................................... 39 Statutory Rape ............................................................................................................ 39