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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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If a participant enters the TANF program and states he/she is self-employed and has been self- employed for less than a year, the participant must provide the above documentation including copies of rent receipts, appointment books or any other documentation that will show the participant is engaging in a legitimate business. If the participant states he/she has been self- employed for a year or more, a copy of the previous year’s income tax return will suffice to show that the participant is engaged in a legitimate business. If the tax return is provided and the worker is satisfied with the documentation, the up-front job search can be waived if the participant is engaged in self-employment for 30 or more countable hours of self-employment per week. For self- employment to be a countable activity for TANF, the participant need not earn minimum wage. Countable weekly hours for self-employment are determined by the actual self-employment income (gross income less business expenses) divided by the Federal minimum wage.

4. Subsidized Employment Timeframe Subsidized employment will generally be limited to a period of 6 to 12 months, unless a longer period is identified as beneficial to the individual. An extension of the time limit must be based on an individual needs assessment.

5. On-the-Job Training (OJT) Training in the public or private sector that is given to a paid employee while he or she is engaged in productive work that provides knowledge and skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job.

Participants in DSS/OJT are compensated at the same rate of pay, including benefits and periodic increases as other employees performing the same job function. DSS/OJT participants must earn at least the Federal Minimum Wage.

In return for providing intensive supervision and training for the participant, the employer will receive a wage subsidy to compensate for the additional employment costs and the trainee's nonproductive time. Fifty percent of the trainee’s gross wages for the period of the contract will be reimbursed to the employer. At the end of the contract period, the employer should have a well- trained and "experienced" employee. The DSS Form 3767, On-The-Job Participant Agreement, must be signed by the participant.

On-the-job training (OJT) can be provided by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Prospective employers outsource work to participants at VR. Individuals that a VR “job ready” category work for an hourly rate of at least minimum wage while learning the skills of the job. If the training is successful, the client is expected to be employed in the same or a comparable position.

6. DSS/OJT Timeframe A DSS/OJT contract is generally approved for a period of 6 months or 24 weeks. If an extension is needed it must be based on the complexity of the job and the extent of the training process, but no more than an additional 30 days. The participant must have achieved satisfactory performance on the DSS form 3769, On-The-Job Training Invoice and Attendance/Performance Record, and had no more than one absence without good cause in order to be considered for an extension. The employer must request a contract extension and sign a new agreement with the Workforce Consultant or other county representative.