Page 203

TANF POLICY MANUAL

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 203

16.6 Methods of Verification and Documentation The following information defines the allowable TANF work activities and the methods South Carolina will use to count and verify participation hours, as well as the type and frequency of supervision required to meet the TANF Work Verification requirements.

1. Unsubsidized Employment Unsubsidized Employment includes all paid employment that is not subsidized by TANF or any other public program. This includes self-employment when money is earned for work performed. Individuals may be employed and earn less than the Federal Minimum Wage. Part-time employment is employment of at least 10 hours, but less than 30 hours per week. This includes “in-kind” or “barter income” in exchanges for property or services. A. Countable Hours: The countable hours will be based on the number of verified hours a recipient is employed. When calculating countable hours toward the TANF participation rate, employment hours will be projected up to six months, based on documented actual wages and hours, if those are representative of continuing circumstances.

To determine countable hours, we will use recent representative pay stubs. Pay stubs not considered representative include pay dates in which the recipient received income that is significantly higher or lower than usual. Such a break or difference in hours might be due to illness, a death, vacation, emergency, overtime, etc. If the pay or non-receipt of pay for one or more of these weeks is not representative, that week’s pay stub will be entered as actual hours. In lieu of pay stubs, a wage form signed by the work supervisor will be accepted. We will add the weeks of representative hours and divide the total hours by the number of representative pay dates to obtain the average number of hours per pay week.

B. Verification of hours: The State will use pay stubs, employer reports, or other employer-issued documentation from Work Eligible Individuals or employers to verify actual hours of participation. Documentation and verification of hours worked are retained in the participant’s case file. Recipient’s pay stubs will be the primary source of verification of hours. Verification of hours is determined as follows: The State will use available representative pay stubs or contact the employer to verify the number of hours the recipient is expected to work each week. Acceptable forms of documentation will be: 1. Request for Wage Information (DSS Form 1245) 2. Wage Stubs 3. Employment/Employer Records (e.g. time sheets) 4. Copy of check, money order, or other payment form