135.82 ETANF RESET Requirements

ETANF adults must comply with the RESET requirements associated with their hardship criteria as agreed to on their AMR and participate in taking steps to overcome the barriers that contribute to their hardship.

55 Pa. Code 141.51

Services for ETANF Domestic Violence Hardship

Track 1: Domestic Violence (Supportive Services) (TE-38)

An individual who has qualified for ETANF with Domestic Violence hardship criteria is enrolled in Track 1 for Supportive Services. When listing this track on the AMR, it should be labeled Supportive Services. See CAH 107.601 Extended TANF

55 Pa. Code § 141.53(a)

Individuals who qualify for ETANF based on domestic violence are mandatory to participate in RESET work requirements. However, individuals who are experiencing, have experienced or are at risk of further domestic violence may request and receive a good cause waiver for RESET requirements.

Individuals who have established a good cause waiver for RESET requirements may:

Elect to participate in an education, training or other RESET activity and receive childcare, transportation, and other supportive services, or

Elect to participate in the Maximizing Participation Project (MPP) should they wish to receive help in addressing any barriers to employment they may have.

If the adult in the DV hardship track establishes good cause waiving the mandatory RESET requirements and elects to participate at a reduced hourly participation rate in any employment and training program as appropriate, they will remain enrolled in track 1, Supportive Services.

Example: Individuals in this track who opt to enroll in MPP services will remain under Track 1 Supportive Services Hardship (TE-38) in eCIS. They should not be enrolled in MPP Hardship Track (TE-31). The CAO will work with the individual to develop a Service Plan (See CAH 107 and CAH 108 ). The AMR will reflect that the individual is enrolled in Track 1, receiving MPP services, and the MPP requirements.

ETANF individuals meeting Supportive Services Hardship criteria and granted Good Cause for reduced RESET participation must have their good cause reviewed every six (6) months to determine if the good cause circumstances have changed.

If an individual does not request a waiver from RESET participation, they are considered mandatory. They should remain enrolled in Track 1, Supportive Services and follow all guidelines listed in Track 4, Mandatory RESET Participants.

NOTE: Domestic violence agency and provider referrals should be noted as “referred for local county supportive services”. The local county domestic violence agency referral including address and phone number should be documented in the case record comments. The AMR should reflect activities the individual is participating in to resolve domestic violence like safety planning, counseling, therapy, and other related programs. Individuals can participate in activities with the Local DV agency that we referred them to and receive RESET participation credit and supportive services. CAO’s and contracted programs should avoid duplicating activities provided by the DV agency.

Services for Maximizing Participation Project Hardship Criteria

Track 2: Maximizing Participation Project (MPP) (TE 31)

ETANF adults who qualify for the MPP hardship track (See CAH 105.261 ) must be enrolled in Track 2 (TE 31) and cooperate with all MPP requirements if they want to receive ETANF for themselves and their family. The MPP requirements include:

Participate in Work Capacity Assessment (WCA) at a contracted provider

Sign and comply with the MPP Service Plan

Cooperate with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

55 Pa. Code § 141.54(a)

The individual must comply with all MPP requirements, including their individualized MPP plan that involves a step-by-step process which may or may not have set hourly requirements.

If a post-60-month TANF client does not comply with MPP requirements, without good cause, the case is closed, and the entire family is ineligible for ETANF benefits. The ETANF adult must agree to cooperate with MPP to establish eligibility in the future.

Work Capacity Assessment (WCA)

The WCA is a series of assessments evaluating the factors that may preclude or limit the adult’s ability to comply with RESET requirements. The WCA includes a medical evaluation, job readiness assessment, literacy evaluation, and other assessments as deemed necessary. It also includes a thorough review of existing documentation received from the CAO and the adult’s treating physician(s).

These assessments will be available in all counties and will be facilitated by a DHS contracted provider in-person, through remote participation, or a combination based on the participants needs.

55 Pa. Code § 141.54(b)

The goal of the WCA is to evaluate the adult’s circumstances, including:

Their health condition and/or

The current family situation

The evaluation will be used to determine:

The degree of existing barrier(s)

The adult’s employment potential

Recommended services or activities that will assist the adult and their family to move toward economic independence.

Reviewing the completed WCA assessments:

If the results of the WCA indicate the individual has: The CAO and Contracted Program will: A personal or family medical condition, functional limitation or good cause situation that precludes the individual from complying with RESET Share the findings and recommendations with the MPP MDT Work with the MDT and the individual to finalize the MPP service plan Keep the individual enrolled in MPP until the MDT determines the individual: Is connected to all necessary services Have barriers resolved, or appropriately stabilized Does not need continued program supports and services Is only awaiting a decision from Social Security Or in the event the individual: Stops cooperating with MPP requirements No longer meet ETANF categorical eligibility e.g., over the income limit for cash assistance, non-compliance with fines and costs A personal or family medical condition, functional limitation or good cause situation that limits but does not preclude the adult's ability to participate in RESET Enroll the individual to Track 4, Mandatory Reset (TE 35) Refer the individual to the appropriate contracted provider for 20 weekly hours of RESET activities (Mandatory RESET Participants, Special Good Cause Provision.) Complete a new or updated AMR No personal or family medical condition, functional limitation, or good cause situation that precludes the adult from complying with RESET requirements Enroll the individual to Track 4, Mandatory RESET (TE 35) Refer the individual to the appropriate contracted provider for 30 weekly hours of RESET activities Complete a new or updated AMR

If the adult disagrees with the findings or recommendations of the WCA, they may request a second opinion.

For additional guidance on MPP, please refer to CAH 135 Appendix H: MPP Program Overview.

Services for ETANF Deferred Referral Hardship

TRACK 3: Deferred Referral (TE-34)

The Deferred Referral track is designed for families in which the adult has a temporary good cause situation or certain exemptions from RESET that make immediate referral to MPP or a contracted Employment and Training program inappropriate.

55 Pa. Code § 141.56

Good Cause

The AMR must be detailed and specific to the adult’s circumstances and will include a plan and specific steps to resolve the good cause situation or circumstances within 90 days.

Individuals with temporary good cause situations should be reviewed at their Good Cause review date, but no later than 90 days. If circumstances have not changed at the time of review, the individual should be referred to MPP. If circumstances have changed, the CAO will determine if the family is otherwise eligible for Extended TANF under another hardship.

A CAO-Directed (A Project) must be created on the ETP Enrollment Screen with the appropriate good cause code along with a good cause review date (Not to exceed 90 days).

Examples include but are not limited to:

55 Pa. Code § 165.52

Established good cause for not complying with RESET requirements of a minimum of 20 hours per week (For individuals who have Good Cause, but are able to complete 20 hours of weekly RESET activity, see Special Good Cause Provision under Track 4, Mandatory RESET Participants)

See Section 135.4 for examples. (ETP Code 60, appropriate good cause code)

Individuals who need time to establish medical exemption, pending the result of the Medical Assessment Form ( PA 635 ). (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 53.) If the PA 635 is received indicating temporary incapacity longer than 90 days, permanent incapacity, or limited employability below 20 hours, the individual is referred to MPP; if not, they become Mandatory.

Parent/caretaker who needs time to establish childcare (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 56)

Parent/caretaker of a child age six or older if no alternate childcare is available within a reasonable distance from home. Must be verified by ELRC (PA1697). (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 57)

Receiving TANF pending the outcome of timely appeal and fair hearing (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 46)

Non-parent specified relative caring for a disabled child or adult for whom appropriate care is unavailable or not within a reasonable distance from home. Must be verified with PA 1981 . (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 54)

An ETANF parent who discloses a need for caregiver exemption, pending a current PA 1820 will be placed in Deferred Referral. If the PA 1820 is received, the individual is referred to MPP; if not, they become Mandatory. (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 55)

In the process of a compliance review (ETP Code 60, Good Cause Code 45)

Exception

Newborn Exemption (ETP Status Code 52)

A parent in a one-parent household who is caring for a child under 12 months of age who chooses to use Newborn Exemption (see Section 135.32, Newborn Exemption ). The adult may remain in this deferred referral until the child reaches 12 months of age, when the lifetime limit is exhausted, or when the adult decides to no longer receive ETANF based on Newborn Exemption (ETP Code 52). The CAO will redetermine eligibility every six months, or the date the adult no longer qualifies for Newborn Exemption, whichever comes first.

55 Pa. Code § 165.21(c)(4)

Services for ETANF Mandatory Participants Hardship

TRACK 4: Mandatory RESET (TE 35)

Mandatory individuals must participate for 30 hours per week in RESET activities.

At the time of ETANF eligibility determination or redetermination:

A mandatory individual who is employed an average of at least 30 hours per week must maintain their employment and continue working a minimum of 30 hours weekly. Individuals working 30 or more hours per week may opt to be enrolled with a contracted program for a potential job upgrade, job skilling/reskilling opportunities, and job retention services.

If the adult employed 30 or more hours per week declines the opportunity for contracted program services, the CAO will enroll them in an A-project.

Mandatory individuals working 29 or less hours per week must maintain employment and enroll with a contractor to complete 30 hours of RESET activities and cooperate in obtaining a vocational assessment, performed by an employment and training contractor.

Mandatory with Good Cause

Mandatory individuals granted good cause who do not meet eligibility for DV, MPP or the Deferred Referral tracks must enroll with a contracted provider and complete the following:

Maintain a minimum of 20 hours per week of RESET activity

Cooperate with a contracted program to resolve their good cause situation

Complete a vocational assessment

Special good cause provision.

If the individual establishes good cause for not participating in at least 30 hours per week of combined work and work-related activities but is required to comply with RESET, the following rules apply:

If the individual is employed 20-29 hours per week in unsubsidized employment, the individual shall maintain employment.

If the individual is employed less than 20 hours per week in unsubsidized employment, the individual shall maintain employment. The individual shall also agree on an AMR to comply with RESET by participating in an Employment and Training program for a combined total of at least 20 hours per week.

If the individual is not employed in unsubsidized employment, the individual shall agree on an AMR to comply with RESET by participating in an Employment and Training program for at least 20 hours per week.

The individual who establishes good cause for not participating in at least 30 hours per week of combined work and work-related activities shall also agree on an AMR to address the good cause situation. The AMR will set forth the steps the individual shall undertake to address the good cause situation including cooperation with a contractor.

The adult who fails to cooperate in addressing the good cause situation is ineligible until they comply. The family is also ineligible. CAH 135.84.

55 Pa. Code § 141.55(a)(6)