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* Code of Virginia, Section 63.2-608 TANF Transmittal 66

THE VIRGINIA INITIATIVE FOR EDUCATION AND WORK PROGRAM (VIEW) TANF MANUAL CHAPTER 900 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) 7/19 901.1 - 901.2

The Virginia Initiative for Education and Work Program (VIEW) is a program of employment, education, and training opportunities to assist individuals in attaining the goal of self- sufficiency.*

The program goals are to offer Virginians living in poverty the opportunity:

• To achieve economic independence by removing barriers and disincentives to work and by providing positive incentives to work; • To provide work skills necessary for self-sufficiency; • To allow families living in poverty to contribute materially to their own self-sufficiency; • To set out the responsibilities of and expectations for recipients of public assistance; • To obtain work experience through the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW).

901.1 PARTICIPATION - As a condition of eligibility, each recipient of TANF and TANF-UP must participate as required in VIEW, unless otherwise exempt.

The eligibility worker in the local agency must determine which applicants and recipients are not required to participate (exempt) and which are required to participate (non-exempt). The eligibility worker will refer to the VIEW Program a non-exempt individual at the time of application approval or when an individual's VIEW status changes.

Note: JOINT TANF AND SNAP APPLICATIONS: In situations requiring joint processing of TANF and SNAP applications, the work registration form or affidavit, whichever is appropriate, is to be used for SNAP purposes in the event that the TANF application is denied. (Refer to Volume V, Part VIII, A. of the SNAP Manual).

901.2 EXEMPTION CRITERIA - An applicant/recipient of TANF or TANF-UP must participate in the VIEW Program unless the individual meets one of the following exemption criteria:

A. Any child, (including minor caretakers) age 17 and under.

B. Any minor, age 17 and under, who is a parent on his/her own case.

C. Individuals at least 18, but no more than 19 years of age, who are enrolled in elementary or secondary school, including vocational or technical school programs. The vocational or technical school must be equivalent to secondary school.