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Division of Welfare and Supportive Services A-814.5.1.2 Eligibility and Payments Manual EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING 14 May 01 MTL 14/03 Authorizing Training Benefits

814.5.1.2 Authorizing Training Benefits The original training agreements are to be forwarded to the Employment and Support Services Unit in Central Office. When benefits have been authorized to go directly to the participant, staff must use the Participant Payment function in OASIS to generate a warrant. When benefits are to be paid directly to the vendor, forward the training agreement with a request for a vendor payment to program staff in central office. A copy is to be kept in the casefile.

Staff must allow adequate time for the client/vendor to obtain the funds prior to the course fee deadline. All Participant Payments are mailed the Monday following the week the benefit is approved in OASIS. Most Vendor Payments are mailed the Monday following the week the payment is approved by accounting.

IMPORTANT: A vendor must be registered with the Controller’s Office and have a current/valid vendor control number, prior to establishing a training agreement. (Refer to manual section A-815.2). 814.5.1.3 Misuse of Funds Intended for Vocational Training The participant is required to use the funds solely for the purpose of purchasing the training specified within the timeframes established in the training agreement, and is required to maintain acceptable attendance and satisfactory progress.

An overpayment will be established for any funds not used as outlined in the training agreement and/or any funds the vendor returns to the participant regardless of the reason (i.e., the course is canceled, the fees are misquoted, the vendor refunds all or part of the training/course fee, because the participant did not begin or complete the training/course.) An overpayment may be established for the entire amount of the benefit if the participant fails to complete the course satisfactorily.

If the participant fails to use the funds as agreed or fails to return funds to DWSS when they receive a refund from the vendor, they will be referred to I&R for an IPV hearing and their household may be disqualified for receiving TANF benefits for five years (60 months). 814.6 Court-Ordered Community Service Enrollment Fee Payment of an administrative enrollment fee on behalf of NEON participants required to perform community service by a court of law may be paid when hours of attendance can be verified.

Participants may receive a bus pass, transportation reimbursement or a gasoline voucher (Refer to manual section A-814.2.2).