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North Carolina

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In response to the multiple needs of families during the COVID-19 emergency declaration, the state increased benefit levels for TANF recipients. The increased benefits are assistance provided as a one-time payment for each eligible child in an active Work First Cash Assistance household. Children not included in the active Work First Cash Assistance case and children receiving Social Security Insurance (SSI) are excluded from the benefit calculation. The one-time payment was issued in addition to the household’s regular on-going TANF payment to provide additional support to the families in purchasing food and other household needs. The state may also increase Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines statewide to provide non-recurrent short-term benefits to families meeting the 200% FPL.

Counties received written guidance regarding which policies are implemented during the COVID-19 emergency declaration. All provisions implemented during the emergency declaration shall be effective through the end of the month following the month in which the emergency declaration is lifted by the Federal or State government.

APPEALS PROCESS

For Standard Counties, the North Carolina 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 choose to contest a decision adversely affecting their receipt of Work First cash assistance, 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. Sec. 108A-79 (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. Sec.108A-79 (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 interpretation/translation needs are provided with reasonable accommodations and services 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 grant funds to provide services to enable families to become and remain self- sufficient. The flexibility available to county departments of social services/agencies make it impossible to outline all the services that may be provided. Families may be provided services that are not specifically prohibited by federal law or regulation. To the extent that Work First services are available, they may be provided to Work First recipients at any time to support the scheduled activities of the MRA-B/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. Work-related services may also be provided to non-custodial parents of Work First recipient children. The Electing County’s Work First Plan describes how they will provide services.

Serving Non-Custodial Parents (Optional in All Counties)