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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 .............................................................................................. 9 Work First Eligibility Criteria (Standard Counties Unless Otherwise Noted) ........ 11 Non-Financial Eligibility Rules .................................................................................. 12 Financial Rules ........................................................................................................... 17 Application Process ................................................................................................... 18 Eligibility Reviews ...................................................................................................... 20 Child-Only Cases........................................................................................................ 20 Benefit Diversion ....................................................................................................... 21 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 ............................................................................... 29 Child Care Definitions ................................................................................................ 30 Head Start/Early Education ....................................................................................... 31 Emergency Assistance (All Counties) ..................................................................... .31 Disaster Assistance (All Counties) .......................................................................... .32 Appeals Process ........................................................................................................ 34 Work First Services .................................................................................................... 34 Eldercare Training ...................................................................................................... 36 Homelessness ............................................................................................................ 36 Voter Registration ...................................................................................................... 37 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) ................................................ 38 Substance Use and Mental Health Initiative ............................................................ 39 Fraud and Abuse ........................................................................................................ 41 Out-of-Wedlock Births ............................................................................................... 41