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TANF Transmittal 66

901.2 TANF MANUAL 7/19 Page 3

TANF-UP - In a TANF-UP case, both parents must be referred for participation, unless one meets an exemption; only one parent can be exempt. If both parents meet an exemption criterion, they must decide who will be referred for participation. If the household’s situation changes and the recipients wish to change the VIEW participant, they may do so upon request and after advisement from the ESW or EW. Exception: The recipients may not switch VIEW participants in order to avoid termination of the case or in order to avoid or cure a sanction.

When both parents in a TANF-UP case are under the age of 18, they are exempt.

Volunteers - TANF recipients under the age of 18 cannot volunteer for VIEW. Additionally, recipients of SSI benefits and ineligible aliens cannot be included in the TANF assistance unit and therefore cannot volunteer to participate in VIEW. Ineligible aliens include individuals who are in the country illegally and those who are lawful permanent residents who have been in the country for less than five years.

Local agencies must serve TANF recipients who are exempt from VIEW and who choose to volunteer. Applicants can volunteer for VIEW only after the TANF application has been approved. They are eligible for the VIEW enhanced disregards in the month following the month the VIEW APR is signed. (Note: The APR cannot be signed before the initial VIEW assessment except when it must be signed prior to TANF approval as a condition of eligibility).

An individual who is exempt from participation can volunteer for VIEW only if she is able to meet the same participation requirements as a mandatory recipient. An individual exempt from VIEW participation because of a temporary medical condition or caring for a disabled household member who wishes to participate in VIEW must provide a new Medical Evaluation form (032-03- 0654) completed by a medical professional. The Medical Evaluation must state that the individual is able to participate and list limitations, if any that would affect the individual’s ability to participate. Volunteers unable to meet VIEW program requirements will not be enrolled in VIEW. An exempt individual who volunteers for VIEW gives up her exempt status and becomes a mandatory participant subject to the same participation requirements and penalties for non-participation as other mandatory VIEW participants. The EW will notify the ESW of the individual’s request to volunteer for VIEW. The ESW will be required to create a manual referral in the ESP module for individuals with an exemption status that choose to volunteer.

If an individual volunteers and does not participate as required in the assigned activity, that individual will be referred for sanction. A sanction will be imposed unless the individual has good cause for not participating. Following the end of the fixed sanction period and compliance, the individual will continue as a mandatory participant. Exception: In the case of an individual with a caring for a child under 12 months exemption who fails to comply and is sanctioned, the individual can reclaim her caring for a child under 12 months exemption following the end of the fixed sanction period if she no longer wishes to participate in VIEW. Her caring for a child under 12 months exemption will end when the child turns one year old or once she has used the balance of the caring for a child under 12 months exemption period. She will then be referred to VIEW as a mandatory participant.

If the TANF case of an exempt client who volunteers for VIEW closes, and the client reapplies, the client’s exemption status will be determined as part of the eligibility process. The client will be referred to VIEW if she is no longer exempt. If the client’s previous exemption was for a temporary medical condition or for caring for a disabled household member, she must secure a new medical if she states she is unable to participate in VIEW for either of those reasons. If the client is determined to be exempt at reapplication and again wishes to give up her exemption and participate, she may do so if funding is available.