Allowable Activities for TANF Recipients 400-28-55-10

(Revised 10/1/12 ML #3348)

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The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can pay child care for TANF recipients only if the allowable activity is identified and the child care is approved on the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) or Tribal Native Employment Works (NEW) Program employability plan. Child care costs for any JOBS/Tribal NEW Program allowable activity not identified on the employability plan cannot be paid through CCAP. Participation in activities for the JOBS or Tribal NEW, including periods of time a TANF recipient is required to complete a Proof of Performance (POP) are considered allowable activities for TANF recipients.

If an individual is meeting their JOBS/Tribal NEW program requirement, CCAP can pay for any approved activities listed on the employability plan.

When a TANF recipient, who is required to participate in the JOBS/Tribal NEW Program, is not participating, child care will be paid for any activity the individual is participating in that is listed on the latest employability plan until the TANF case closes.

Example: Mom is required to participate in the JOBS Program in Job Search but fails to provide information to her case manager. The case manager completes the ‘good cause’ process and a sanction is imposed for October.

If Mom submits child care expenses for the months of September and October while searching for a job, since the latest employability plan lists her activity as Job Search and Mom continues to be a JOBS participant through October 31st, the child care expenses for September and October while searching for a job can be paid.

Should the child care expenses for the months of September and October be a result of an activity not listed on the employability plan, those child care expenses cannot be paid unless mom begins participating in the JOBS program and a new employability plan is received that includes these activities.

TANF recipients who are participating in the JOBS program may have educational activities approved on their employability plan even though the education is not a requirement to be in compliance with their JOBS program participation. Education which is approved on the Employability Plan does not have to meet the allowable education criteria under the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). When the TANF case closes, education must follow regular CCAP rules.

Example: A TANF recipient’s JOBS Employability Plan lists JOBS activities and the recipient is attending education which is not listed on the Employability Plan. The child care cannot be reimbursed because the activity is not included on the JOBS Employability Plan even if the education meets CCAP’s allowable education criteria. Example: A TANF recipient’s Employability Plan list JOBS activities and education. Regardless of whether the education plan meets CCAP allowable education requirements, the child care costs relating to the education can be reimbursed as the education is approved on the JOBS Employability Plan.

This policy does not apply to Post-TANF.