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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 111 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

• Making contacts with employers by phone • Making contacts in person

• Use of the internet to learn of suitable job openings, applying for jobs, and interviewing for jobs The Employer Contact Form, DFA-WVW-25, may be used to verify time spent on self-directed job search. Structured Job Search follows a recognized Job Search model that is provided by a contractor, another agency, or by Case Managers. Existing programs offered through WorkForce West Virginia, the Department of Education (DOE), and other agencies must be used first when services are available without cost. These providers are not reimbursed, unless all existing training positions have been filled and it is necessary to create additional positions for WV WORKS participants, or if there is a contractual agreement between the Department of Human Services (DOHS) and a grantee. Referrals to SPOKES are limited to those participants who have at least a fourth grade academic level in reading and math. Exceptions to this requirement may be made only after WV WORKS staff consults with, and receives approval from, the local SPOKES staff. Job Search Example: Mr. Oak attends a structured job search activity from October 6 to October 31 at the WorkForce West Virginia Center and completes four weeks of supervised job search for 30 hours each week. On December 4, he is placed in a SPOKES class full-time. Although his Case Manager may leave him in the SPOKES activity through completion, his attendance in SPOKES may only count for the first two weeks in meeting the federal work participation requirement unless West Virginia had been declared a needy state, then his attendance may count for up to eight more weeks, no more than four of which may be consecutive.

The job retention component of SPOKES is designed for participants who have completed or nearly completed that program and who have returned due to losing employment. When a participant returns due to loss of employment and has not completed the initial modules, then he NOTE: Travel time to and from job interviews does not count as participation hours. However, the travel time between multiple interviews on the same day at different locations may be counted as participation.