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North Carolina 67 equivalent rate of pay and number of work hours compared to the last job. The family is not eligible for Work First cash assistance for up to 3 months if the parent is fired from a paid job or work experience placement unless there is good cause. 6. First level hearings will be heard by Agency Supervisors not involved with Work First cash assistance or WFE. Second level hearings will be heard by the Lenoir County DSS Board. The appellant may petition the Lenoir County Superior Court if dissatisfied with the result of the Level 2 hearing. The Lenoir County DSS Board will serve as hearing officer for Hardship Extensions to the 24 and 60-month time limits. 7. Transportation reimbursement is limited to $8 per day for in county travel and $11 per day for out-of- county travel when the participant provides his/her own transportation. Transportation services for non-custodial parents of a Work First child and non-Work First families with a total income not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty limit are limited to $600 per month up to a maximum of $1200 or 4 consecutive months in a State Fiscal Year. 8. If funding allows, Lenoir County will provide a supplemental payment for up to six months to Safety Resource families with whom children are placed by Child Welfare and when the permanent plan is to return the child(ren) to the parent’s care within 6 months when the family requests assistance, provided the family’s income is below 200% of poverty. This payment is intended to provide the Safety Resource family with additional financial support to care for these additional children and meet the increased expenses associated with bringing a new child or children into the home. The payment may continue for a maximum of six months, until the child(ren) no longer reside with the Safety Resource family, or until available funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Payments will be made at the point of placement and at the first of subsequent months. The payment to Safety Resource families will be equal to the child-only Work First payment for the children placed with a safety resource. County MOE and/or Federal TANF funds will support this payment. 9. Single parents of a child less than 3 months old may request an exemption from work requirements up to a maximum of 12 months in a lifetime. LINCOLN COUNTY 1. All applicants seeking Work First cash assistance for children with an absent parent are referred to Child Support immediately after signing an application for Work First. 2. An assessment will be completed for child only cases to include but not limited to: immediate home visits and interviews with all adults and child(ren). These visits will continue at least annually with contacts at least every 6 months. 3. Benefit Diversion requirements will be as follows: able-bodied single parent and two- parent households being considered for Benefit Diversion must have employment (35 hours per week) beginning within 2 weeks of WF application. Benefit Diversion will be approved for 1-3 months depending on circumstances and assessments of needs. 4. Adult Incentive Program – The Road to Success This program will be used to provide incentives to adults participating in employment services. The intent is to reward participants for job readiness skill advancement and extra effort put forth in their search for permanent employment and self-sufficiency. Incentives will be in the form of gift cards that will allow participants to purchase personal items, or to spoil themselves as a result of their successful efforts. There are eight (8) activities along the way and three (3) rewards (See Road to Success at the front of this plan).