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STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA FFY 2024 STATE PLAN FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

West Virginia may qualify to count up to 6 additional weeks for participation credit in Job Search and Job Readiness when a needy state. Using WV's trends and projections of Food Stamp participants and unemployment rates, we can predict whether WV will qualify due to high unemployment or as a needy state. When this occurs the time limit will be 240 hours for an individual with 20 hours per week work requirement or 360 hours for an individual with 30 hours per week work requirement. The limit will be 12 weeks per the last 12-month period, no more than 4 of which may be consecutive. All other activity requirements and restrictions remain the same. Changes in the hourly requirement due to changes in West Virginia’s status as a needy state are effective the month after the change occurs.

This component consists of the following activities:

- Preparing an individual to obtain employment by preparing a resume, applications, training and interviewing skills, and workplace expectations and life skills training; and

- Structured job search under the guidance of a contracted agency or program representative; and

- Substance abuse treatment, mental health, or rehabilitation activities.

● Work Experience includes work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing if sufficient private sector employment is not available, is a work activity performed in return for cash assistance that provides an individual with an opportunity to acquire the general skills, training, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain employment. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to the assignment of these hours of participation. In West Virginia work experience includes:

- Joint Opportunities for Independence (JOIN) is a work experience and skill acquisition activity operated primarily in the private sector. The work participant continues to receive cash assistance but is participating in a work environment that is much like full-time employment.

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