7.5.1.3.2 Stipend Payments

The W-2 agency may issue a stipend payment to a noncustodial parent at any point or frequency during the TSP placement based on the current needs of the individual while they are preparing for employment. However, stipend payments must not be based on hours of participation in W-2 activities.

A noncustodial parent may receive stipend payments for a maximum of 16 weeks in a rolling 12-month period. The total stipend payment amount may not exceed $200 per month and should help the noncustodial parent with meeting the costs associated with engaging in W-2 education and training activities.

Stipend payments should not be considered a substitute for other supportive services available to noncustodial parents. W-2 agencies must offer to develop a Supportive Service Plan (see 9.2.1 ) with the noncustodial parent and work with them to address any barriers to participating in W-2 activities identified in the process.

Note : Stipend payments qualify as Non-Recurrent, Short-term Benefit under the TANF definition of assistance and do not fall under the category of “cash assistance.” NCPs receiving stipends are not subject to the state 48-month lifetime limit.

Placement in TSP on any day of the standard workweek, i.e., Sunday to Saturday, will count as one week. To maximize participation, agencies should place NCPs in a TSP on a Monday or closest day to the start of the week when possible.

W-2 agencies must help NCPs in the TSP placement move to a TEMP job or unsubsidized job as quickly as possible. The stipend ends when the noncustodial parent starts unsubsidized work or enters a TEMP job in a TNP Noncustodial Parent Trial Employment Match Program placement. (See 7.3.1 )