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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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Once verification is determined, documented hours may continue to be counted for up to six (6) months. Changes in hours will be recalculated based on TANF budgeting policy.

C. Countable Hours-Self Employment: In the case of self-employed individuals, the gross income (less business expenses) divided by minimum wage, is a reasonable mechanism for imputing countable hours of employment. The hours for self–employment are countable when the participant income records substantiate proof of gross income minus business expenses.

For self-employed individuals, the State will use the most recent State/Federal income tax records, current business receipts/records/books, or a signed and dated statement from the recipient may be used when it is not practical to verify the hours using other means. The case file will be documented with the reason for the need for self-declaration. All documentation and verifications will be retained in participant files.

Once verification is determined, documented hours may continue to be counted for up to six (6) months. Changes in hours will be recalculated based on TANF budgeting policy.

To calculate hours, 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 and divide by minimum wage. 1. Verification of hours: 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 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. 2. Acceptable forms of documentation will be: a. State/Federal Income Tax Records b. Employment/employer records c. Signed and Dated Statement from the Recipient

Once verification is determined, documented hours may continue to be counted for up to six (6) months. Changes in hours will be recalculated based on TANF budgeting policy.

2. Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment is employment in a private company or organization that receives a subsidy from TANF or other funds.

Subsidized employment will generally be limited to six to twelve months, unless a longer period is identified as beneficial in a needs assessment.

An example of subsidized private sector employment is a temporary staffing agency, serving as