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North Carolina

22 To be eligible for Benefit Diversion, families must meet the following eligibility requirements that apply to Work First:

1. Who may apply and be included in the family unit; 2. Income guidelines; 3. Resource limit; 4. Minor parent rules; 5. State/county residence; 6. Age rule for children; 7. Rule to have or apply for a Social Security Number; 8. Citizenship/immigrant status; 9. Identity requirements; and 10. Kinship/living with rule.

No other Work First eligibility requirements apply to Benefit Diversion cases.

MEDICAID AND FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES

County departments of social services provide information to Work First applicants/recipients information concerning other social service programs like Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services, Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program, and other public assistance programs.

Work First eligibility criteria may affect a household’s Food and Nutrition Services benefit allotment. Work First applicants/participants are informed they can apply for Medicaid and/or be referred for Medicaid as appropriate.

WORK FIRST BENEFITS PAYMENT POLICIES

All families with a parent included in the assistance payment are subject to the “Work First Benefits” payment process. A caretaker child-only case will receive their assistance payment at the beginning of the month.

Payments to families in Work First Benefits work eligible status are paid after performance. Assistance payments are received only after providing documentation showing they have complied with the requirements of their MRA/Outcome Plan including the Core Requirements and Plan of Action Requirements or show good cause for not complying.

When beneficiaries do not comply with their MRA/Outcome Plan during a month, their Work First cash assistance benefits will not be released for that month and they will not count in the Work Participation Rate. In addition, the month with no Work First Benefits will not count against the participant’s 24-or 60- month time limits. If the parent has good cause for failing to meet their required hours of work activities or for not complying with other MRA/Outcome Plan requirements, their Work First cash assistance benefits will be released. Good cause is defined as:

• A significant family crisis or change; • Illness of the caretaker or child, including participation in substance abuse treatment or medical appointment;