Page 69

North Carolina 69 • the child moves out of the home of the caregiver; or • the death of the caregiver. Macon County will forego the first six-month review as stated in the TANF State Plan and review each case annually. 6. Retention Assistance -The agency will provide assistance to working families for up to 3 months after leaving Work First for work. 7. Macon County elects to retain the work requirement policy for single parents of children under the age of three months. This policy will be limited to a three-month exemptions period per child not to exceed a lifetime maximum of twelve months. WILSON COUNTY 1. In order for a participant to participate in the Family First Program the participant has to be job ready or willing to work on goals toward becoming job ready. A doctor’s note will not be accepted to exempt the participant from participating in work related activities required by Family First policy. The participant will be required to participate in required employment related activities determined by the participant and social worker on the MRA. If the participant needs assistance with the disability process they can be assessed for the Disability Program if there is space and funding available. They will not be eligible for the Family First Program (either Phase) if they are not job ready, willing to work, and able to complete work related hours. 2. Wilson County is requesting that NC DHHS implement a federal demonstration waiver to disregard TANF incentive payments as countable income in the following federal programs: SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, whether federal state or private, for participant s participating in Family First Phase Two, Kinship Program or the Disability Program. This is to mitigate the “Cliff Effect” where federal programs work against each other in helping the participant rather than as a collective transition out of poverty. The purpose of the program is to work toward family goals, employment and financial stability with the participant and not have policies in place that will harm or penalize the family for involvement. The waiver will be effective as long as the participant s is enrolled and participating in these Wilson County programs. Current federal policy will resume and be enforced once the case is closed. We realize this is a “moving the mountain” level request but know the secret to a 100-mile journey is in taking the first step. 3. There will be no restriction in countable months of education. participant needs to be progressing and passing classes with C average or above. 4. In the Family First Redesign participant s will receive incentives after the MRA goals are met and completed. Job Bonus participant s will also receive an additional incentive payment. Once a participant obtains employment an incentive will be provided for retaining the job at three and six months. 5. Social worker and SW Supervisor have the final determination in denial of incentive in goals that are not met or complete or participant is not participating or complying with the program policies. 6. If the participant is not cooperative or compliant with Phase Two policy (continual aggressive behavior, not meeting goals, not showing up for appointments without good cause as defined in Family First policy, etc) they will be moved to Phase One