Page 27

North Carolina

27 • Contact their Work First worker immediately if a change occurs that prevents them from completing the activities described on the MRA Plan of Action /Outcome Plan; • Accept and keep any reasonable job offered. The participant will not quit a job, refuse an offer of employment or fail to follow up on job referrals without good cause; • Submit verification of all activities completed each month by the fifth (5th) work day of the following month; and • Acknowledge that failure to meet the requirements listed on the MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan will result in termination of benefits.

A family whose parent refuses to sign the MRA Plan of Action/Outcome Plan without good cause, is ineligible for Work First cash assistance. The WF payment is not issued for the month of non-compliance, the case terminates, and the family may re-apply at any time but may not be approved until the month following the missed payment.

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR WORK ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

The NC Department of Commerce, Workforce Solutions Division is the presumptive, primary deliverer of job placement services for the Work First program and a critical partner with the Department of Health and Human Services. The Division operates over 80 local agencies across the state called NCWorks Career Centers.

Registration for work with the NCWorks Career Center is a prerequisite to participation in the Job Search component of Work First. All work eligible participants who are assessed as ready to engage in job search are required to register for work with NCWorks Career Center. This requirement will be included on their MRA-B Plan of Action/Outcome Plan. Failure to register for work with the NCWorks Career Center will result in termination of Work First benefits.

Counties also may contract with the local NCWorks Career Centers for additional services such as job search, job placement, and referrals to community services. Modifications and/or accommodations may be necessary to assist individuals with registration and access to employment services.

WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

The State requires all Work First applicants to be assessed for employability at application for Work First cash assistance and again within three months of receiving assistance. If deemed work eligible, the Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA)-Plan of Action must be created and signed by the applicant within 5 days of the date of application. The MRA-Plan of action includes realistic and obtainable goals and activities that will enable the family to participate in federal countable work activities and become economically self-sufficient.

Single parents of children less than 12 months of age are excluded from the participation rate calculation; if they do not complete enough countable hours to be deemed engaged in work. This exclusion is for a cumulative total period of 12 months (lifetime exemption). In all counties, single parents with children under age six who demonstrate that