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Department to address the noncompliance and to identify good cause for noncompliance or barriers to compliance.

Within ten days of a determination of noncompliance, action will be taken to initiate the 30-day conciliation process. The individual is given ten working days to respond and initiate the conciliation process. Failure to respond after the ten working days results in a sanction at the appropriate level for the benefit group. A state sanction results after the 30-day conciliation expires if the individual initiates conciliation but fails to follow through with the process.

Occurrence of Non-Compliance: Each instance in which an individual fails to comply with a work program or child support enforcement requirement is considered as a separate occurrence of non-compliance.

When the non-compliance continues for three months without the sanctioned individual reestablishing compliance, progression to the next higher-level sanction shall result in the fourth month. Once a sanction level has been imposed, any subsequent sanction for the benefit group is imposed at the next higher level. Child support enforcement sanctions are removed when the non-compliant individual is determined to be in compliance by CSSD. Work program sanctions are removed when the non-compliant individual has met his participation standard in work activities for 30 days or resumes compliance with program requirements within 13 days after receiving notice of failure to comply.

Sanction Levels: Following the first occurrence of non-cooperation, the cash assistance benefit for which the group is eligible is reduced by 25 percent of the benefit groups standard of need.

Following the second occurrence of non-cooperation, the cash assistance benefit for which the group is eligible is reduced by 50 percent of the benefit groups standard of need.

Following the third occurrence of non-cooperation, the case is closed for six months. The TANF grant will count as unearned income toward the SNAP calculation.

Non-Reporting Sanctions: A benefit group member who fails to report a change that results in an overpayment to the benefit group may be sanctioned. A sanction period is determined and cannot be lifted or corrected, except within the 13 days covered by the notice of reduction in benefits.

The cash assistance benefit is reduced by 25% of the benefit groups standard of need for the length of the sanction period.

An adult member of the benefit group who fails to report that a dependent child has three unexcused absences or is not in school will not be sanctioned and the benefit groups payment will not be reduced for this reason. The needs of the non-compliant child will not be included in the payment for the benefit group. If the child is the only dependent in the benefit group, the case assistance benefit will be closed. 10. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION Information collected regarding applicants for and participants of NMW is kept confidential except as otherwise allowed under NMW program regulations. Under certain circumstances, confidential