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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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Individual’s Status Legal Cause Criteria Only Parent in TANF Family with Child under age one Parent personally providing care for his/her child under age one will be expected to participate, 20 hours per week, but cannot be sanctioned if this is the only parent in the TANF family, as he/she has legal cause if unable to comply with the TANF Work Requirements. The CHIP EMPR registration code will always be “PW”as long as the parent has a child under one, even if the 12- month limit of being excluded from the participation rate has expired (refer to NOTE below).

EXCEPTION: A Young Custodial Parent (YCP) with a child under age one is expected to participate 20 hours per week and is subject to sanction for non- cooperation. The CHIP EMPR registration code is “PC”.

NOTE: “PWs” are required to participate but if hours are less than 20, the hours may be removed from the participation rate on PATS for 12 months in a lifetime.

Federal and State Time Limits still count, even when the “PW” is excluded from the All-Family TANF Participation Rate.

Pregnant Verified pregnancy beginning in the seventh month and continuing until six weeks after the birth of the child. Incapacitated Incapacitated or disabled and unable to participate in TANF work activities. The verified incapacity must be total and expected to last 90 days or more. Required in the home to care for incapacitated family member. (In or out of school) Parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home. A medical statement from a physician must verify the need for care. Unavailable Child Care/ Transportation Individual is unable to participate because child care and/or reasonable transportation cannot be provided as needed. CHIP Coding: The EMPR registration codes are "MC" - if mandatory but child care unavailable; "MT" - if mandatory but transportation unavailable. A/R is identified as a Victim of Domestic/Family Violence A signed statement by the A/R that he/she is a victim of domestic family violence is acceptable verification for a temporary deferral from participation in TANF Work Program requirements.

NOTE: Documentation will be recorded on DSS Form 3734, TANF Domestic Violence Waiver Assessment. A/R will be referred to the local Domestic Violence Advocate (DVA) for an