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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 66 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

available to them and to the Department of Human Services (DOHS), which can be accomplished in an appropriate time and, ultimately, which is most likely to result in self- sufficiency for the participant and his family. In addition, the Case Manager must explore other possibilities not presented by the participant and offer these to the participant as alternatives. At all times, the Case Manager is expected to balance the participant’s wishes with his need to achieve self-sufficiency and the DOHS’s goal of meeting federally established participation rates. The SSP outlines the objectives and the steps needed to achieve self-sufficiency, as well as a time frame for the completion of program requirements. Specific duties are required. All requirements listed on the SSP must be reasonable and appropriate for the participant. The SSP is subject to renegotiation throughout the household’s receipt of cash assistance. Initial and ongoing assessment produces information that allows the Case Manager to provide reasonable guidance to the participant to attain his goals and forms the basis of the SSP. When the participant requires smaller steps to meet his goal(s), a WV WORKS Goal Action Plan, DFA- SSP-1a, may be completed in addition to the SSP. The WV WORKS Goal Action Plan, DFA- SSP-1a must not be used without a completed Self-Sufficiency Plan, DFA-SSP-1. The SSP must be specific enough to provide direction for the participant and must reflect careful analysis of the participant’s needs and potential. It must also be flexible enough to change as opportunities and situations warrant. Changes in occupational goals or activities to meet the participant's work requirement require revisions to the SSP. Each time the SSP is revised on a paper form, the participant and the Case Manager must initial and date the changes. When a new SSP is completed, both must sign and date the form. The participant must be provided with a copy of the SSP each time a new one is completed, or a revision is made to an existing one. It may be possible for the participant to achieve self-sufficiency without a document defining specific activities. However, clarifying goals and actions to reach the goals helps the participant and Case Manager to focus on the most appropriate actions. This makes their efforts more productive. Although the primary concern should be the development of a meaningful SSP, the form itself is helpful to the participant in understanding the expectations. Committing the plan to writing also helps the Case Manager be more specific about his responsibilities. By signing the PRC and SSP, each party agrees to fulfill his respective responsibilities.

NOTE: See Chapter 1 for information about the PRC as an eligibility requirement and about completion of an initial SSP and the first full SSP.