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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 85 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

treatment and counseling program and job skills program as required; or • Any individual who has had their benefits suspended and has not designated a protective payee or whose benefits have been terminated due to a failed drug test. The Case Manager must make a comment only that a referral has been made. 18.8 REQUIREMENT FOR BEING ENGAGED IN WORK

WV WORKS is a work participation program. Starting on the first day that WV WORKS benefits are received, a Work-Eligible Individual is subject to the work requirement. Therefore, the participant must be placed in a work activity as soon as possible. This placement should occur when the benefit is approved, concurrently with the initial assessment of the participant’s skill, prior work experience, and determination of employability. 18.8.1.A Job Ready Job readiness is defined as being able to find, acquire, and keep a job or attend an activity with little or no outside help. When the Case Manager determines that the participant is ready to participate at application, he approves the application, enrolls the participant, requests any necessary support payments, and makes any necessary referrals. The participant and Case Manager must develop a plan that is based on the participant’s interests, needs and abilities. The activities in which the participant may be enrolled are outlined in Sections 18.10 - 18.18. If the participant initially has good cause for not participating, or has challenges which must be first addressed, he is temporarily excused from participating. See Good Cause below. 18.8.1.B Good Cause An individual who has applied and is approved for WV WORKS benefits must have good cause for not participating in a work activity no later than the end of the second month of benefit