SR 97-09 Dated 03/97

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

BACKGROUND

On October 22, 1996 President Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA, also know as Public Law 104-193) This law consolidated into a block grant all funding under the former programs of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS), Transitional and At-Risk Child care, and Emergency Assistance (EA). Under the block grant provisions, states obtained federal approval to replace AFDC with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. The Department is looking forward to the increased flexibility allowed under the block grant which allows New Hampshire to implement a program unique to New Hampshire citizens.

Overview of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

 TANF replaces the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program. TANF provides financial assistance to families with dependent children who are deprived of parental support or care due to death, continued absence, physical or mental incapacity, or unemployment or underemployment of the primary wage earner. To qualify for assistance under TANF, the child must be living with a specified relative as in the AFDC Program.

 Eligibility for medical assistance under TANF follows the same principles as eligibility for medical assistance under AFDC. In other words, if an individual or family is eligible for TANF financial assistance, that individual or family continues to be automatically eligible for medical assistance.

 TANF financial assistance recipients are categorically eligible for food stamps to the same extent as AFDC financial assistance recipients were categorically eligible for food stamps.

 Individuals apply for TANF in the same manner as they applied for AFDC, using Application Form 800. At the initial eligibility interview, the individual completes Form 226, Initial Employment Appraisal, which the Case Technician reviews and forwards to the NHEP team when referring an applicant the work program under NHEP.

The New Hampshire Employment Program and the Family Assistance Program

TANF financial assistance is provided through two separate but related programs: the NHEP for cases in which there is an adult who is able-bodied for employment purposes, and the Family Assistance Program (FAP). Program requirements are the same for both NHEP and FAP except that FAP does not have a mandatory work requirement.

The purpose of having two separate programs is to retain a longer term public assistance program for families who are taking care of another’s children or are not able to work due to a mental or physical disability (FAP) and to concentrate employment efforts on those cases where there is an adult who is able to work (NHEP).

Family Assistance Program (FAP)

FAP provides financial assistance to cases in which there are

1. no adults in the case (i.e., payee relative not included) or

2. all parents or caretaker relatives in the case are considered not able-bodied because each meets one or more of the following criteria:

 are age 60 or older; or

 receive at least 1 of following types of payments/benefits:

 supplemental security income (SSI);

 social security disability income (SSDI);

 OAA, ANB, or APTD financial and/or medical assistance;

 veterans disability rating of 80% or more;

 NOTE: VA disability benefits of varying percentages may be awarded to the veteran, or to a surviving disabled spouse or child(ren); or

 The NHEP team has determined that the parent or included caretaker relative has long term obstacles to employment resulting in an inability to participate in employment or activities leading to employment, subject to the following criteria:

 the individual has participated in and complied with all NHEP requirements or has been unable to comply with good cause;

 the NHEP team has completed case management activities with the individual for at least one year;

 during the one year specified above, all reasonable efforts to assist the individual in becoming employable by providing case management services and access to all NHEP employment related activities for which the individual may qualify have been made; and

 the individual agrees with the NHEP team’s decision.

New Hampshire Employment (NHEP) Program

Effective 3/31/97, the work requirements of the NHEP replace the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program. The purpose of the NHEP is to promote economic independence and strengthen family life by enabling able bodied persons with dependent children to assume responsibility for their families through the dignity of work.

This goal is accomplished by offering employment and support services and transitional financial assistance to enable participants to become employed. The comprehensive support package includes medical assistance, food stamps, child care, child support services and other support services such as transportation assistance necessary to promote economic independence.

The goals of the NHEP program are to:

 Eliminate or reduce the harmful effects of poverty on families and children by fostering employment and opportunity as a means to economic independence;

 Eliminate the stigma of welfare;

 Assist participants to gain employment as rapidly as possible, based on individual circumstances, labor market conditions, and the need of their children for care and protection;

 Support and coordinate with activities that promote self-sufficiency;

 Provide transitional support services that include medical assistance, food stamps, child care, transportation, child support assistance, and other services necessary to promote economic independence;

 Promote successful transition from public assistance through job readiness activities, training and education activities concurrent with employment or seeking employment, family support skills, and case management;

 Develop partnerships with employers to create job opportunities; and

 Provide a program where it is more advantageous to work than not to work.

SUMMARY

This SR is one in a series of SRs implementing New Hampshire’s welfare reform initiatives. This SR:

 Establishes the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) and the Family Assistance Program (FAP) as New Hampshire’s financial assistance programs under TANF;

 Establishes job search as the primary NHEP activity and implements alternating cycles of 26 weeks of job search with 26 weeks of "work-for-benefits (WFB)." All work-related requirements and activities for the first 26 weeks of job search are being implemented by this SR. Individuals who are unsuccessful in finding work after 26 weeks of job search will be required to participate in WFB (Note: the policy requirements for the Work for Benefits component will be released in a separate SR effective October, 1997);

 Releases new policy disqualifying any NHEP financial assistance applicant or recipient who voluntarily quits or refuses suitable employment while receiving financial assistance or who voluntarily quits a job of at least 20 hours per week within 60 days of application. Additionally, this SR releases good cause exemptions from NHEP participation and for voluntary quit or refusal to accept an offer of employment;

 Releases other policy changes to the work program, including barrier resolution as an NHEP activity, removal of the priority given to volunteers which previously existed under the JOBS Program, and mandatory participation in high school/GED activity for individuals up to age 21. Previously, individuals age 20 were not required to participate in mandatory GED/ABE activities;

 Implements new time limits for certain participants on GED and Adult Basic Education (ABE) activities that meet for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and revisions to policy governing the authorization and receipt of most employment support services;

 Implements a new work placement requirement concurrent with any approved post-secondary education activity; and

 Releases new policy on work participation requirements and exemptions from those requirements for two-parent families (formerly the AFDC-Unemployed Parent program).

Note: Nonexempt parents whose children are deprived due to an incapacitated parent (formerly the Incapacitated Parent program, or INCAP) must meet the same work requirements as single parents.

New and revised forms and their instructions are also released by this SR. They are described in detail in the Forms section of this SR.

NOTE: This SR focuses on changes to existing policy rather than exhaustively detailing all policies governing NHEP and FAP. The New Hampshire Employment Program Training Manual, prepared separately from this SR, provides a comprehensive and complete discussion of the policy and procedures necessary to implement NHEP. The NHEP Training Manual is available upon request.

Due to a decision to completely rewrite and reformat Chapters 800 and 900 to reflect the complex and sweeping nature of the changes to employment and training and child care assistance policies brought about by the implementation of NHEP and FAP, and to technical problems associated with the computer program in which FAM pages are contained, Chapters 800 and 900 will be released in a future SR.

POLICY

NHEP Participation Requirements and Exemption Criteria

Generally speaking, all able bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to participate in the NHEP Program. Certain individuals, such as pregnant women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, will have their participation in the NHEP Program temporarily postponed, but may have to participate later. These individuals are still assigned to the NHEP Program and their exemption status is reviewed at each NHEP redetermination of eligibility, or whenever a change affecting exemption status is reported or discovered. Other individuals are permanently exempt, as explained below, and these individuals are assigned to the Family Assistance Program.

Temporary Exemptions

The following persons are considered temporarily exempt and do not have to participate in the NHEP Program based on their current circumstances:

 Persons who are employed or self-employed for pay at least 35 hours per week or have weekly earnings at least equal to 35 hours times the federal minimum wage (currently $4.75 per hour);

 Note: Consider a person employed by another to be employed during vacations, sick time and leaves of absence if the employer also considers the person to be employed;

 Persons medically certified by a physician or psychologist as physically or mentally unable to work or participate in program requirements;

 Women who are at least 4 months pregnant;

 Dependent children under age 16;

 Dependent children age 16 or older who are full time students in a recognized elementary or high school or vocational/ technical college or its equivalent;

 Parents or caretaker relatives solely responsible for the care of a relative or assistance group member who is medically certified by a physician or psychologist as ill, incapacitated or disabled, who requires care at home, and who has no other household member available to provide the care;

 Parents or caretaker relatives responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 3, with the following exceptions:

 parents under age 18 with no high school diploma or its equivalent must participate in basic education activities when the youngest child is 12 weeks old; or

 parents age 18 through 20 with no high school diploma or its equivalent must participate in basic education activities when the youngest child is 6 months old.

 The second parent in a two parent family when the family is not receiving DHHS child care assistance.

Permanent Exemptions

Exemptions are based on receipt of various other financial benefits or an NHEP determination that the individual has substantial obstacles to employment. The following individuals are permanently exempt from participation in NHEP work activities:

 An adult in the NHEP case who meets the criteria listed under FAP on pages 2 and 3 of this SR;

 An individual who receives Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and is not categorically eligible for financial assistance under TANF;

 A dependent child aged 16 or older who is not a full time student and has a documented permanent and total disability; and

 All members of an FAP financial assistance case.

Mandatory Participants

Mandatory participants are individuals not found to be exempt. They are subject to sanctions for failure to comply with program requirements.

Voluntary Participants

Exempt individuals may volunteer for the work program as long as they are included in the NHEP or FAP financial assistance case. Volunteers must meet the same participation requirements as mandatory participants, but are not subject to the same sanction penalties for failure to comply with program requirements. Instead, volunteers not complying with program requirements are prohibited from participating in NHEP work activities for 3 months from the date of non compliance.

Summary of District Office Responsibilities

1. Initial appraisal through completion and review of Form 226.

2. Determination of case status as FAP or NHEP.

3. Determination of exemption status of case members.

 Note: Under certain circumstances, District Offices may determine eligibility for child care assistance for exempt NHEP individuals. See Support Services Policy Changes, page 25 of this SR.

4. Determination of voluntary quit within 60 days of application (see NHEP Work Requirements, page 12 of this SR).

5. Explanation of NHEP/FAP policies, including exemption criteria, the 72 hour requirement to contact the local team, participation requirements, support services available, penalties for failure to comply with work requirements including voluntary quit and refusal to accept employment, good cause criteria and opportunities for conciliation concerning failure to meet work requirements, and the 60 month time limit on receipt of financial assistance.

6. Providing individuals with all necessary written information, forms, and pamphlets, including Form 221, The New Hampshire Employment Program, Form 222, Referral Letter (this form also serves as notification of the 72 hour time limit) and Form 242, The 60 Month Time Limit: What You Need to Know.

7. Refer of all nonexempt individuals and volunteers to NHEP via Form 213, Interagency Referral/Work Registration.

Job Search as the Primary NHEP Activity

Job search is the primary NHEP activity for applicants and recipients. Individuals must participate in job search or job readiness activities for 26 weeks, including an initial 4 weeks prior to assignment to any other activities. Under certain circumstances, job search may be suspended so that individuals may participate in other NHEP activities.

Note: Although Job Readiness is coded as a separate activity, time participating in Job Readiness is counted toward the 26 week job search requirement.

Summary of Activity Sequencing in the Job Search Component

The following lists the basic steps for individuals referred to NHEP for the first 26 week job search component. For individuals currently engaged in an employment or training activity, please refer to Transitioning Existing Cases in the IMPLEMENTATION section of this SR.

Note: Two Parent households have different requirements. See Two Parent Families, page 12 of this SR.

1. Referral by the Case Technician to the team.

2. Required Orientation.

3. Initial Assessment Interview and development of initial Employability Plan (Form 228 or 228P).

4. Referral to an initial 4 Week Job Search period consisting of job readiness and/or job search activities appropriate to the individual’s needs or, when appropriate, referral to Basic Education, Barrier Resolution, or Self-Initiated activities.

5. Profiling and assignment to Employment Groups 1 or 2.

6. Participation in the remaining 22 weeks of job search. Referral, if appropriate, is made to additional activities designed to enhance employability. In most cases, these activities complement job search or, in certain specific situations, may temporarily suspend the job search weeks "counter."

7. Case Management activities by the NHEP team (on-going).

Orientation Requirement

Orientation provides information to the individual about the NHEP program, the individual’s rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of NHEP, participation and compliance requirements, the results of noncompliance, and available support services. Orientation is required for all referred individuals prior to enrollment in any NHEP activity. Orientation may be delivered individually or in a group setting, at the discretion of the local NHEP team. Teams must make orientation available on an individual basis upon the individual’s request. Following orientation and prior to any enrollment into an activity, individuals must participate in an initial assessment.

Note: Where possible, orientation and initial assessment should happen on the same visit to the team.

Initial Assessment Interview Requirements

An initial assessment interview is required of all NHEP individuals who are referred to the team. An NHEP team member conducts an initial assessment interview to determine participation in the initial 4 week job search period. Form 227, Employment Program Assessment, Section A of which is completed by the individual and Section B by the NHEP team member, assists the team member in determining which activities are most appropriate for the individual during the initial 4 week job search period. The initial assessment interview must be conducted on an individual basis.

All individuals are referred to either job search or job readiness activities during the initial four week job search period with the exception of participants who:

 Are determined by the NHEP team member to have serious and substantial personal barriers to employment;

 Are required to attend full time educational programs or alternative educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or the equivalent;

 Express a desire to attend full time educational programs, or alternative educational activities, directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and are referred by the NHEP team member; or

 Are determined by the NHEP team member to meet the requirements for self initiated education or vocational skills training.

Once barriers are resolved, basic education is completed, or a self-initiated activity ends, the individual participates in an initial 4 week job search activity.

Employability Plan and NHEP General Agreement

At the assessment interview, individuals and the team member develop an Employability Plan and, if not previously done, review and sign Form 231, NHEP General Agreement.

The Employability Plan (EP) is an individual plan designed to direct the participant toward long-term economic independence and self-sufficiency. An EP must be completed for each NHEP participant. As services and program activities will often change over time for individuals participating in the NHEP, so the employability plan may change. The NHEP team has final approval authority for the Employability Plan.

Employability Plan Requirements

The EP must contain all of the following:

 A description of employment goals for achieving long-term economic independence and self-sufficiency, including short-term goals for immediate employment;

 A description of the NHEP activities completed;

 The action steps for the participant and the NHEP team member;

 Related time frames necessary for the participant to achieve the employment goals, prepare to obtain employment and resolve any serious substantial personal barriers to employment, including time frames for NHEP assistance;

 The number of hours participating in an NHEP activity;

 Identification of Employment Program Grouping (EPG);

 The type and frequency for contact between the NHEP individual and the team member; and

 The support service needs of the individual and how those needs are being addressed.

The EP is reviewed at each individual contact and updated whenever significant changes in services or activities occur. Form 228, Employability Plan, and Form 228P Employability Plan Preprint, identify the activities agreed upon by the individual and the team member in order to achieve the individual’s employment goal(s). Forms 228 and 228P are designed as two identical forms, except for the sections regarding the Participant and Agency Action Steps. See Forms section for further information on these two forms.

Form 231, NHEP General Agreement, is designed to promote individual-team cooperation and understanding. It summarizes the philosophy of NHEP, and outlines general agency and individual responsibilities in achieving mutual goals.

Note: Individuals are encouraged, but not required, to sign Form 231.

Initial 4 Week Job Search Period

Individuals who are deemed appropriate for the job search component of the NHEP must participate in an initial 4 week job search program. This 4 week program counts towards the 26 week job search requirement of the NHEP.

If the individual is determined not appropriate for the initial 4 week job search period, the team member must refer the individual to the activities of barrier resolution, or basic education, or approved self-initiated training or education. At the completion of the activity, determine if the individual is then required to participate in the initial 4 week job search period.

Profiling

After the initial 4 week job search period is completed, the NHEP team member evaluates the participant’s risk for long term unemployment. Profiling is the process of assigning participants to an Employment Program Group (EPG 1 or 2) based on their risk of long-term unemployment. The "risk of long-term unemployment" is based on local labor market conditions and the participant’s work habits and behaviors, work experience, wage history, wage potential, educational background, and experience in the initial 4 weeks of job search.

The NHEP team member completes Form 230, Profiling Work Sheet, after the participant completes the initial 4 week job search period and before referrals are made to other activities. On the basis of the information generated by Form 230, the NHEP team member assigns the participant to either EPG 1 or 2. Individuals assigned to EPG 1 are notified using Form 236, EPG Assignment Letter. Assignment to one or the other of these groups impacts the subsequent NHEP activities that may be authorized for a participant.

Exception: Two parent families (TANF-UP) are not required to be profiled nor assigned to an EPG.

 EPG 1 identifies individuals who can be expected to find employment in 26 weeks or less without immediate additional work, training or educational experience. Such employment should result in wages high enough to allow the family to no longer need NHEP financial assistance at the time of, or within 12 months of, employment. Individuals in EPG 1 complete the remaining 22 weeks of job search and can be concurrently authorized to participate in single courses and/or On the Job Training activities to enhance immediate employability.

Note: Individuals participating in OJT on a full time basis are not required to conduct job search concurrently, and time spent in this activity is not counted toward the required 26 weeks of job search.

 Individuals not meeting EPG 1 criteria, or who are participants in their second or subsequent cycle of the job search component, are assigned to EPG 2. Individuals in EPG 2 also complete the remaining 22 weeks of job search unless it is determined that the individual is not able to make, or is no longer making, satisfactory progress in the job search activity and requires additional services in order to obtain employment.

The following tables summarize the approvable activities during the job search component for individuals assigned to EPG 1 or EPG 2:

EPG 1 Activities During Job Search Component

EPG 2 Activities During Job Search Component

Note: Employment may always be an approved activity.

Remaining 22 Week Job Search Period

During the remainder of the 22 week period, job search is the primary activity and employment is the primary goal. The NHEP team member may authorize additional job search activities such as educational, training or employment activities in addition to job search (see Referral Conditions below).

Referral Conditions

NHEP has general and specific conditions for referral to activities other than job search. Referrals may be made to basic education or barrier resolution at any time during the job search component for both EPG 1 and EPG 2 participants.

EPG 1

For participants assigned to EPG 1 during the job search component, the primary activity is job search. The 26 week job search component counter "ticks" while individuals are in the job search and job readiness activity, even if combined with another concurrent activity.

Exception: Participation in a full-time OJT suspends the 26 week count.

EPG 2

For NHEP individuals in EPG 2 during the job search component, the job search activity is required unless an NHEP team member has determined that the individual is no longer making satisfactory progress toward obtaining employment as outlined below. Lack of satisfactory progress toward obtaining employment means that an individual assigned to EPG 2 either:

 Does not have the skills and abilities to conduct an effective job search, or

 Due to local labor market conditions, the individual has not obtained employment.

Referral to another activity in place of, or in combination with, the job search activity, can take place at any time after the initial 4 week job search period, once it has been determined that satisfactory progress in job search is not being made. Referral to an activity other than job search or job readiness will suspend the 26 week job search counter if participation in the other activity is full-time.

Prior to removing someone from job search or job readiness (and, consequently, suspending the job search counter), an attempt must be made to combine activities and employment. Referral to another activity, and suspension of the job search counter, must only occur when it has been determined by the NHEP team member to be the most feasible means of improving employability.

When considering referrals of EPG 2 individuals who are not making satisfactory progress in job search to an activity other than, or in addition to, job search, the following general conditions must be met:

 The activity must improve employability;

 When making a choice between two possible activities for referral, the activity which utilizes the fewest program resources and will lead to employment at wages sufficient for the individual to be independent of financial assistance should be chosen;

 The participant has the aptitude and motivation to successfully complete the activity; and

 The participant lacks either the skills, experience, or work habits and behaviors needed to obtain employment at wages sufficient to enable the individual to be independent of financial assistance.

Note: Each activity has specific conditions that must be met prior to referral to that activity.

Case Management

Case management is a systematic, individual-centered, goal-oriented approach to working with NHEP individuals. Case management is provided by NHEP team members to coordinate the multiple services available and necessary for participants to achieve self-sufficiency, reduce dependency on public assistance, and strengthen family life. Case management is considered a key support service of the NHEP.

The major functions of case management are:

 Assessment of an individual’s skills, aptitudes, strengths, and needs;

 Development of a detailed, realistic employability plan in partnership with individuals;

 Arrangement and coordination of services to support the employability plan; and

 Follow-up efforts to provide on-going assessment and support, and to evaluate outcomes.

After an individual has been referred to the NHEP team, case management begins and is a responsibility shared by all team members for the duration of an individual’s participation in the NHEP.

Exception Participants receiving services under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) must have JTPA services managed by the NHJTC case manager. Other team members may continue to manage the case and coordinate additional services with the NHJTC case manager.

NHEP Work Requirements

Responsibilities of Mandatory and Voluntary NHEP Applicants and Recipients

To be considered in compliance with NHEP requirements, mandatory and voluntary NHEP applicants and recipients must:

 Contact the NHEP team within 72 hours of the initial referral from the District Office to schedule the orientation/initial assessment interview;

 Cooperate in the initial assessment, employability assessments and the development of an employability plan;

 Participate in the NHEP activities as specified on the employability plan;

 Make a good faith effort to comply with the steps described in the participant’s employability plan;

 Not quit any job of at least 20 hours per week within 60 days of application or at any time while receiving NHEP financial assistance; and

 Accept any job offers which are suitable.

Participation Requirements for Two Parent Families

Two parent families are those receiving NHEP financial assistance due to the unemployment of the principal wage earner.

Note: An able-bodied adult in a TANF-INCAP case is not considered to be a two-parent participant and must meet the same requirements as single parents.

Minimum Participation Requirements

 One parent must participate 35 hours a week, and

 The other parent must participate 20 hours a week if the following conditions apply:

 Neither adult is disabled or caring for a disabled child, and

 The family is receiving DHHS child care assistance.

Example: The PWE is participating in an approved work activity for 35 hours per week, and the second parent is involved in a vocational training program. Their 3 children, all nondisabled, either attend public school or receive child care. The household is receiving child care assistance because of the PWE’s approved activity and because the other parent is unavailable to provide care. Because there are no disabled children in the household, and the family is receiving child care assistance, the second parent is required to participate in an approved activity for 20 hours per week.

Two parent families are not profiled nor assigned to an EPG. Nonexempt parents must participate in the initial 4 weeks of job search. First parents and, if required, second parents, must also participate in the following NHEP activities in the order of priority specified below:

The following also applies to two parent cases:

 The following activities are approved once participation requirements are met:

– unsubsidized employment,

– OJT,

– AWEP,

– job search and job readiness (6 weeks),

– vocational skills training (12 months)

– job skills training directly related to employment, and

– basic education.

 A nonexempt parent under age 25 without a high school diploma or equivalent may substitute a basic educational activity for a work activity and use the activity to meet participation requirements; and

 Educational activities not meeting the time participation requirements may be accompanied by other mandatory work activities.

Minimum Number of Hours Required Per Week

Mandatory and voluntary NHEP participants are required to participate in NHEP activities for at least the minimum number of hours described in the following table, to a maximum of 40 hours per week. See Exceptions below.

Note: Base the hours of participation, between the maximum and the minimum, on what is necessary for the participant to achieve employment goals and self-sufficiency and not on the minimum hours set by federal law.

When appropriate, the hours may be met through a single activity or a combination of activities. Community activities or activities mandated by another agency that promote self-sufficiency, employability, or the health of the family count toward the participation hours.

Exceptions:

 A single parent with a child under age 6 meets participation requirements at the 20 hours per week minimum.

 Participants in barrier resolution are not required to meet the minimum number of hours.

 For individuals participating in an OJT activity, the required hours may exceed 40 hours under certain conditions.

Required Contacts

The NHEP team and the participant must have contact

 at least once every 2 weeks during the initial 4 week job search period, and

 at least once every 4 weeks during the remainder of the job search component.

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 For parents under age 18, contacts must occur at least once every 2 weeks during the job search component.

 For individuals who are employed as the sole NHEP activity and are meeting participation requirements, contact must occur at least once every quarter.

Good Cause Criteria for Failure to Comply with NHEP Participation Requirements

Good cause exists when circumstances beyond the participant’s control affect their ability to meet ongoing participation requirements. Good cause for failure or refusal to comply with ongoing participation requirements consists of, but is not limited to, the following reasons:

 Lack of transportation;

 Lack of adequate child care (see detailed explanation below);

 Illness, incapacity or disability of the participant;

 Illness, incapacity or disability of another household member that is serious enough to require the participant’s presence in the home

 Net loss of cash income (see detailed explanation below);

 Mandated appointments, including required court appearances;

 Unreasonable risk to the health or safety of any household member; or

 Other circumstances beyond the participant’s control.

Good Cause for Lack of Adequate Child Care

 Applies to children under age 13; or

 Applies to children over age 13 but under age 18 provided the child’s physical or mental condition is such that the child would cause harm to him/herself or to others without supervision;

 Does not include instances in which providers refuse to provide child care due to intentional non-payment of child care bills by the individual; and

 Exists when the individual provides in writing the claim that the care from a provider is not representative of the quality of care provided to other children in the community.

When the NHEP individual claims inadequate child care because the current provider’s care is unacceptable, the individual must explore other child care providers and options for obtaining adequate child care.

Good Cause for Net Loss of Cash Income

Good cause for net loss of cash income applies when the net income available to a family at the time the offer of employment was made is less than the financial assistance the family received under NHEP or FAP. Net loss of income is calculated as follows:

 Total the family’s gross income, which includes, but is not limited to, earnings, unearned income and cash assistance; and

 Subtract the total of necessary work-related expenses, such as child care, transportation, and any other mandatory work related expense required by the employer.

Good cause decisions are subject to the Department of Health and Human Services’ fair hearing process

New Voluntary Quit Policy for Nonexempt and Exempt NHEP Financial Assistance Applicants and Recipients

All NHEP financial assistance applicants and recipients, including those who are exempt from NHEP participation requirements, must not have voluntarily quit a job of at least 20 hours a week, or refused an offer of suitable employment without good cause

 while receiving NHEP financial assistance, or

 within 60 days of applying for assistance.

Voluntary quit provisions apply to each individual in the case who voluntarily quits a job or refuses suitable employment.

Note: An instance of voluntary quit may be determined by either the Case Technician or the NHEP team. The conciliation process is then begun by the determining individual (either Case Technician or NHEP team member) providing a completed Form 220, Notice of Failure to Meet Work Requirements, to the individual. See Participant Notification of Failure to Meet a Work Requirement below.

Good Cause for Voluntarily Quitting a Job

The following are good cause reasons for quitting a job or refusing to accept employment::

 Discrimination by an employer based on age, race, sex, color, physical or mental disability, political or religious belief, or national origin;

 Having to travel an unreasonable distance to work considering the wage and time and cost of commuting;

 Work demands or conditions made continued employment impossible because they imposed unreasonable health and safety risks;

 The job paid less than minimum wage;

 Resignation from the job was recognized by the employer as retirement;

 The job became unsuitable because it did not take into account the individual’s skills, physical capacity, health and safety, or family responsibilities;

 The individual left their job to take another job, or to attend school or training at least half-time;

 The individual left their job to take another job, and circumstances beyond their control caused the new job offer to be withdrawn, resulted in a job of fewer than 20 hours per week, or weekly earnings would have been less than minimum wage;

 Patterns of employment in the individual’s job are such that frequent changes of employer are common, such as migrant farm labor or construction work;

 Voluntary quit or refusal to accept suitable employment occurred for any good cause reason listed above for failure to comply with NHEP participation requirements.

Participant Notification of Failure to Meet a Work Requirement

Failure to meet a work requirement includes instances of voluntary quit, refusal to accept suitable employment, and failure to comply with participation requirements. When a mandatory or volunteer NHEP participant fails to comply with an NHEP work requirement, Case Technicians or NHEP team members send or provide the individual with Form 220, Notice of Failure to Meet Work Requirements, to inform the individual of:

 The specific act of non-compliance;

 The specific action required by the individual to remove the sanction;

 The opportunity to claim a good cause reason for failure to meet the NHEP program requirement;

 The availability of a conciliation meeting with a supervisor (or designee) to show evidence of compliance or substantiation of good cause for non-compliance;

 The participant’s right to bring a representative of his/her choosing to the conciliation meeting; and

 The right to a fair hearing.

It is the responsibility of the staff member who determines that failure to meet a work requirement has occurred to initiate the conciliation and sanction process by completing and sending Form 220. For example, voluntary quit prior to application would normally be dealt with by the Case Technician; once an individual has been referred to the NHEP team, the team should take responsibility for the conciliation and sanction process.

Sanctioning for Failure to Meet a Work Requirement

Apply a sanction under any of the following circumstances:

 The participant does not contact the Case Technician or NHEP team within 15 days of the date of Form 220 (or the verified postmark date of the notice as supplied by the individual) to schedule a conciliation meeting.

 The participant does not participate in the conciliation meeting within 30 days of the date of Form 220.

 The supervisor (or designee) determines, as a result of the conciliation conference, that the individual did not have good cause for non-compliance with any of the work requirements listed under Responsibilities of Mandatory and Voluntary NHEP Applicants and Recipients, page 13 of this SR.

Sanction for Failure to Comply with an NHEP Participation Requirement

When an individual fails to meet NHEP participation requirements as described on page 13 without good cause, remove the needs of the individual from the grant for one semi-monthly payroll period or until the individual has participated in an approved activity for 2 weeks, whichever is longer.

Exception: For the first instance of failure to contact the team within 72 hours of a referral from the District Office, do not impose a sanction - even if there was no good cause for noncompliance - if the individual complies prior to the end of the conciliation process.

Note: Volunteers (adult or child) who fail to comply with the requirements of an approved activity receive no financial penalty, but instead are disallowed participation in the NHEP for 3 months from the date of non-compliance.

Sanction for Voluntarily Quitting a Job or Refusing an Offer of Suitable Employment

When an NHEP applicant voluntarily quits a job within 60 days of application, or a recipient (exempt or nonexempt) voluntarily quits a job or refuses suitable employment, remove the needs of the individual from the grant for 1 semi-monthly payroll period or until they obtain paid employment or an NHEP approved OJT or AWEP placement of at least 20 hours per week.

JOBS Program Activities No Longer Approvable Under NHEP

The following activities are no longer approvable to meet NHEP participation requirements, nor may support services be authorized for:

 Job Shadowing; and

 Prerequisite courses for post secondary education or training programs.

NHEP Activities with New or Modified Participation Requirements

The participation requirements for the following activities have been revised.

Barrier Resolution

Mandatory individuals may have serious and substantial personal barriers causing temporary inability to seek and accept employment. Situations which may require resolution prior to participation in employment or preparation for employment include, but are not limited to, the following:

 Homelessness;

 Impending eviction;

 Substance abuse addiction of the individual or family member;

 A crisis within the family or with a child or other family member;

 Domestic abuse;

 Exception: Individuals involved in domestic violence situations or any other situation that puts the family at risk are not required to participate in barrier resolution activities. Whenever in doubt, do not require participation in the barrier resolution activity.

 Physical or mental disability or emotional or mental instability;

 Legal problems;

 Limited cognitive functioning; or

 Any other situation which needs to be resolved before employment or preparation for employment can be pursued.

Participation Requirements

 Individuals are required to participate in NHEP activities, or be referred to community services, as their NHEP activity to resolve temporary barriers when agreed upon with the individual and identified on the employability plan.

 Note: Do not refer individuals to any barrier resolution activity unless agreed upon by the participant!

 Community services are only required if the activity(ies) are covered Medicaid services or do not generate a cost to the participant.

 Hourly participation requirements do not apply to individuals actively participating, cooperating, and progressing in barrier resolution activities, if the barrier prevents participation in other activities.

 Barrier resolution services are available to NHEP individuals in any phase of the program and may suspend any component or be combined with any other NHEP activities specified on the Employability Plan.

 Participation in Barrier Resolution as the sole activity suspends the 26 week counter for the job search component.

Individuals with physical or mental impairments that affect employability may be referred to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). NHEP team members should consider the appropriateness of the individual for VR services prior to making a referral. If a referral is made, enter the referral on the Employability Plan and coordinate services with the VR counselor.

Note: For an activity provided by VR to be approved as an NHEP activity, it must meet NHEP requirements for the activity.

Basic Education

Custodial parents under age 21 who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent must participate full-time as defined by the institution, as follows:

 Parents age 18 through 20 are required to participate when their youngest child turns 6 months of age.

 Parents under age 18 are required to participate when their youngest child turns 12 weeks of age.

Dependent children age 16 through 17 who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are mandatory NHEP participants must participate full-time as defined by the institution.

Nonexempt parents in a 2 parent family who under age 25 and who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent may be approved for Basic Education activities, but participation in these activities is not required.

Note: For NHEP individuals participating in basic educational activities that are considered full time by the institution but are not meeting participation requirements dependent upon the age of the youngest child, additional NHEP activities may be required as specified on the EP.

Time Limits

New time limits have been set for participation in basic education classes that meet for a minimum of 20 hours a week. Participation must be as follows:

 ABE/GED classes may be approved for one year as the sole NHEP activity;

 ABE/GED classes may be approved for one additional year if a GED has not been obtained and the additional year has been approved by the team member and an additional NHEP activity is required as the primary NHEP activity; and

 ABE/GED classes are only available for a 2 year period in any consecutive 5 year period.

The new time limits do not apply to:

 An NHEP participant who is under 21 years of age;

 An individual that has a documented learning disability. The classes may be extended as specified on an educational plan from a state certified education professional or psychologist; or

 Basic or alternative educational activities that do not meet for a minimum of 20 hours a week.

Training or Work Activities as Substitutes for Basic Education

A training or work activity may be substituted, but cannot be required, if an educational activity is not available for caseheads aged 16 or 17.

Approved work or training activities may be substituted for basic or alternative educational activities for caseheads aged 18 through age 20 if:

 The participant fails to make good progress in an educational activity, or

 An educational activity is inappropriate based on the assessment and employment goal.

Job Readiness

Job readiness activities prepare individuals for work by assuring they are familiar with general workplace expectations and they exhibit work behavior and attitudes necessary to compete successfully in the job market.

 Job readiness may be approved at any time during the 26 week job search component.

 Although coded as a separate activity, participation does not suspend the job search counter.

 Job readiness may be combined with other activities and continue to count toward the 26 week requirement.

 Job readiness may be required as the sole activity in the job search component, including the initial 4 week job search period.

Post-Secondary Education

New Work Placement Requirement

An approved post secondary educational program must now be an accompanied by a work placement. The work placement must be arranged prior to the beginning of the post-secondary educational activity.

 Any post secondary program that is considered less than half time, as defined by the institution, shall include a full time work placement.

 Any post secondary program that is considered to be at least half time as defined by the institution, shall include a part time work placement.

Note: If not otherwise specified by the educational institution,

 Full time equals 12 or more credits in a semester,

 Part or half time is considered less than 12 credits in a semester.

The work placement requirement may be satisfied by any combination of the following:

 Unsubsidized employment,

 Internship, paid and unpaid,

 Practicum,

 Work study placement,

 AWEP,

 Apprenticeship, or

 Other approved work placements as specified on the employability plan.

The number of hours required of the work placement is determined by doubling the number of credit hours being taken and subtracting that figure from 40 hours. Require a work placement equal to the number of hours resulting from the calculation.

If a participant loses the work placement while attending a post secondary program, the individual must obtain another work placement.

Vocational Skills Training

Vocational skills training must meet all of the following criteria:

 Classroom training must be designed for vocationally specific skills;

 Training must be in an occupation consistent with the participant’s employability plan;

 Training must be industry specific; and

 The program must have a reasonable expectation of resulting in the individual obtaining employment.

Vocational skills training does not have a work placement requirement but must meet participation requirements.

Time Limits

The program must be completed within

 no more than 2 years of continuous study, as defined by the institution, or

 when attendance is less than full-time, no more than one and one-half times the normal period of time customary for completing the program, not to exceed 3 years.

Self-Initiated Post Secondary Education or Vocational Skills Training Activities

Self initiated means a vocational skills training program or post secondary educational program in which an individual is participating at the time they begin the NHEP program. The NHEP team member will meet with the individual at the initial assessment interview and review Form 226 and complete Form 227.

Approvable Self-Initiated Activities

The self initiated activity can be approved if the following conditions are met:

 The activity meets the required criteria for vocational skills training or post secondary education;

 The activity meets the individual’s employment needs;

 The individual is currently enrolled and attending the self-initiated activity;

 The individual is making satisfactory progress;

 The individual will be able to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree from the self-initiated activity within the approvable time limits (see below); and

 A work placement is required, if the self-initiated activity is post-secondary education, to the same degree as participants referred to post-secondary education by the team.

If approved at the initial assessment interview, and the activity meets participation requirements,

 postpone the initial 4 week job search period, profiling and referral criteria process, and

 inform the individual that participation in the initial 4 week job search period, profiling and referral process will be required at the end of the self initiated activity if the individual is not employed full time.

Time Limits

Associate’s Degree: self initiated educational programs can be approved for an associate’s degree when:

 No greater than 1 year of continuous full time study remains, or

 When attendance is less than full time, no greater than one and one half times the normal period of time for which is customary for completing the program, not to exceed 2 years, remains.

Bachelor’s Degree: self initiated educational programs may be approved for a bachelor’s degree when the degree can be obtained in:

 No greater than 2 years of continuous full time study; or

 When attendance is less than full time, no greater than one and one half times the normal period of time for which is customary for completing the program, not to exceed 3 years.

Vocational skills training programs must meet the same time limits described above for a bachelor’s degree.

Participation Requirements for Approved Self-Initiated Activities

 Individuals in approved self-initiated activities that do not meet participation requirements, including participation in the work placement requirement for post-secondary educational activities, must be required to increase participation in the education or training activity or the work placement.

 Participation in another NHEP activity may be approved only after both of these options have been explored. If other activities are not available, the participant must be enrolled in the job search component.

Activity Not Approvable Under Self Initiated Criteria

Do not approve a self-initiated activity when:

 The self initiated activity cannot be completed within specified time limits; or

 The activity is not approvable under the specific criteria for the activity, e.g. an educational program that is not vocationally specific, or the person does not meet the referral conditions for the activity, e.g. no job opportunities are available in the local labor market in the chosen field; or

 The individual is in post-secondary education and will not agree to the work placement requirement; or

 The individual is in vocational training, and activity and participant requirements for vocational training are not being met.

Grace Period for Unapproved Self-Initiated Activities

Applicants involved in a self initiated post secondary educational or vocational skills training program that is not approved by a team member are granted a "grace period" to complete the current term or semester, not to exceed 6 months, provided the individual is currently attending and is making satisfactory progress.

Inform the individual at the initial assessment interview that the activity will not be approved after the current semester or term, nor will it count toward participation requirements after the grace period.

Participation Requirements During the Grace Period

 During the grace period, the applicant is still required to meet participation requirements.

Exception: Participants in unapproved post-secondary educational activities are not required to meet the work placement requirement.

 Individuals not meeting participation requirements must be entered into the Job Search component. Conduct the initial assessment and determine the appropriate initial 4 week job search referral.

Support Services

NHEP financial assistance applicants and recipients participating in approved activities or combinations of activities may receive support services. Support Services include:

 Transportation assistance for mileage, and automobile repairs reimbursement;

 Child care assistance; and

 Limited educational expenses (tuition, fees and supplies) under certain conditions:

 Post Secondary Education: Recipients who were approved prior to 4/1/95 to participate in a Post secondary educational program, and who had been approved for tuition assistance and/or fees and supplies at that time, may continue to receive these support services for up to two continuous years of full time study or up to three years for part time study or until their program is completed, whichever comes first. These services must not continue to be authorized if there is an unreported change in their program.

 OJT: NHEP participants engaged in an OJT continue to receive fees and supplies assistance through the duration of the OJT contract, even though the participant becomes ineligible for NHEP financial assistance due to increased earnings or the loss of the earned income disregard.

Support Services Policy Changes

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance may now be authorized for NHEP financial assistance recipients in the following approved NHEP activities only:

 Vocational skills training;

 Single courses (including single post-secondary courses);

 basic education;

 Basic literacy; and

 A course of study preparatory to employment.

Note: NHEP will not pay for tuition, books, fees or supplies for post secondary educational activities except where noted above for recipients approved for these services prior to 4/1/95.

Tuition Assistance Time Limits

Single Courses: Authorize for no more than 2 courses in any state fiscal year.

Basic Education: Authorize no more than 2 years for ABE/GED classes that meet a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Vocational Skills Training: Authorize no more than 2 years, when attendance is full-time, or one and one-half the period customary for completing the program, not to exceed 3 years.

Child Care Assistance

When authorized on the Employability Plan, child care assistance is available to NHEP participants for:

 Participation in approved activities identified on the employability plan;

 Services provided by community agencies while the participant is engaging in approved barrier resolution activities except when the individual is institutionalized; and

 Complying with program requirements, including but not limited to assessment interviews, scheduled appointments, workshops, job interviews, or other approved activities.

TANF financial assistance recipients who do not have an Employability Plan, or do not have the activity authorized on their Employability Plan, may be eligible for child care assistance only when participating in the following activities:

 Employment, or

 An associates or bachelors degree program, or course of study, of up to 2 years, if the course of study is necessary to meet the individual's goals that are directly related to obtaining employment in a recognized occupation.

– Case Technicians will determine eligibility for individuals meeting the above requirements who are exempt from NHEP requirements and therefore not being managed by the NHEP team.

– Contract child care providers are instructed to use the employability plan to verify eligibility for child care. For financial assistance recipients who are in post-secondary education and the post-secondary education is not approved on the employability plan, the contract provider must require that the individual obtain verification from the case technician or NHEP team member that the post-secondary education is approved and the case is eligible for child care.

Participants in GED classes that are funded by the Department and meet for a minimum of 20 hours per week may receive child care assistance while in the activity for a maximum of 2 calendar years.

Exception: The 2 year limit does not apply to custodial parents under age 21 and without a high school diploma or equivalent who are required to participate in basic educational activities, or to an individual with a documented learning disability.

Removal of Time Limits on Support Services Payments for Job Search

Previous AFDC-JOBS policy limited eligibility for payment for transportation and child care assistance for Job Search to 80 days in any 12 month period. These limits are no longer in effect.

Removal of the JOBS Program Mandate To Give Priority to Volunteers

The JOBS Program required that volunteers be given priority status when they participate in the program. This requirement no longer exists. Individuals who volunteer to participate in NHEP are subject to the same requirements of the program activities as other participants.

FORMS

Revised Forms

Several forms and their instructions have been revised as a result of this SR. In addition, all NHEP Forms previously released as "Test" (T) versions are now released without the "T" designation:

 Form 31, Request to Adjust Transportation Payment Indicator, was previously released in SR 97-9 as test form 31T. It is an internal form used by NHEP teams to request that Bureau of Data Management change the transportation reimbursement payment indicator on CIS to allow a recipient to receive NHEP mileage reimbursement at the $130 per month level.

 Form 220; Notice of Failure to Meet Work Requirements. Revised Form 220 shows penalties and good cause criteria for voluntary quit, refusal to accept suitable employment, and failure to meet NHEP requirements. This form also notifies individuals of their rights to a conciliation meeting and fair hearing if they disagree with the decision. Good Cause reasons have been added to the back of the Form, and all references to the Food Stamp Program have been removed (Conciliation is no longer mandated by the Program).

 Form 221, The New Hampshire Employment Program, was previously referred to as JOBS Program. This pamphlet describes NHEP requirements, activities, good cause criteria and penalties for voluntary quit or failure to participate.

 Form 222, Referral Letter, has been revised and the "T" designation removed.

 Form 223, Employer Contacts, has been revised and the "T" designation removed.

 Form 227, Employment Program Assessment, replaces Form 227T, Assessment Form. Form 227 contains separate sections completed by the individual and by NHEP and is completed as part of the Initial Assessment Process prior to assignment to the 4 week job search requirement.

 Form 228, Employability Plan, has been revised.

 Forms 229, 229a and 229b, Congratulatory Letter and Case Management Letters respectively, have been revised, reformatted, and the "T" designation removed. Form 229T(c) has been obsoleted.

New Forms

The SR also releases new Forms developed for the NHEP:

 Form 228P, Employability Plan Preprint, is identical to Form 228, Employability Plan, but contains preprinted sections for Agency Steps and Support Services. It is designed as a convenient way for NHEP team members to enroll individuals in the mandatory initial 4 weeks of job search.

 Form 230, Profiling Worksheet, is a 3 page form used by the NHEP team member to determine the appropriate EPG in which to assign a participant after the initial 4 week job search period.

 Form 231, NHEP General Agreement, is a 1 page document containing a general overview of individual and agency responsibilities and spaces for individual and team member signatures to signify commitment to NHEP philosophy and purpose. Although individuals are encouraged to sign, signature is not required and failure or refusal to sign has no affect on eligibility, benefits, or services.

 Forms 232, Alternative Work Experience Program Agreement, 233, Alternative Work Experience Program Evaluation Report, and 234, Alternative Work Experience Program Attendance Report are designed to establish formal agreements with providers of AWEP opportunities and to monitor participation in AWEP activities by individuals so assigned.

 Form 236 (untitled but referred to as the EPG Assignment Letter) is designed to notify those individuals who, on the basis of Profiling, are assigned to EPG 1. It informs the individual of the assignment, the number of weeks of job search required, and the support services available to them while participating.

Initial distribution of these forms has been made to District Offices (Forms 221 and 222) and NHEP teams (Form 221 and all others). Additional supplies may be obtained from Logistics when initial supplies have been depleted. Effective 3/31/97, discontinue use of all previous versions of revised Forms.

Note: Form 242, The NHEP and FAP 60 Month Time Limit: What You Need to Know, was released by SR 97-8, effective March 31, 1997. Initial supplies have been distributed to District Offices and NHEP teams. Form 226, Initial Employment Appraisal, was released by SR 97-2, effective March 1, 1997.

SYSTEMS CHANGES

Systems which have been made as a result of the revised policy are detailed below.

New Work Registration Codes

The following NHEP work registration codes for use in field I-28 have been developed to accommodate new NHEP policy:

Discontinued Codes

The following Work Registration codes have been discontinued:

A MAGNA report will be sent to all District Offices listing individuals coded with one of the discontinued codes. Case Technicians must change these codes to a valid code.

CIS Payment Limits on I-38 Codes G,J,M,R, and W

The CIS 80 day edit on payment to NHEP participants in job search has been removed. CIS will now allow payment for any child care and transportation bill for job search submitted by an eligible casehead without regard to length of time in the activity.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE MANUAL CHANGES

Chapters 200 and 300 of the FAM have been revised to incorporate new policies related to NHEP and FAP eligibility. FAM 315 has been revised to include changes in voluntary quit policy in the Food Stamp program released in SR 96-51 in addition to new voluntary quit policy in the NHEP and FAP programs released by this SR.

IMPLEMENTATION

Transitioning Existing Cases

The following details procedures for transitioning existing and approved Employability Plans (EP), and to support individuals who are currently engaged in approved activities that enhance employability.

Grandfathering Existing Employability Plans

Individuals engaged in activities at the time of the initial contact with a NHEP team member or first contact after 3/31/97 may continue that activity if the following criteria are met:

 The activity has been approved and specified on an EP developed prior to 3/31/97;

 The individual is enrolled and actively participating in the activity; and

 The individual can document current satisfactory progress in the activity.

The following conditions and limitations apply to activities authorized prior to 3/31/97:

 No changes to approved grandfathered activities will be allowed after 3/31/97.

 Time limits set on NHEP activities as defined in new policy supersede former time limits. Individuals must be informed of new time limits, and the limits must be applied, at the initial assessment interview.

 Pre-existing time limits which have not changed will continue to apply to previously approved activities.

 An updated EP must be completed when an activity is being grandfathered in order to update individual expectations and agency services.

 Any approved grandfathered activity that does not meet participation requirements will be combined with another NHEP activity to meet participation requirements and must be so specified on an updated EP.

 If an individual has not enrolled in and begun an activity that is identified on an existing EP, that activity will not be honored on the existing EP.

 At the conclusion of the grandfathered activity, or upon the individual’s request, the individual must be assessed and profiled under the NHEP requirements.

 For active participants who are grandfathered in an activity other than job search, conduct profiling if and when they complete the initial 4 week job search period. See below for special instructions for participants active in job search as of 3/31/97.

Profiling and Transition

 For individuals referred to job search on or after NHEP implementation, conduct profiling and EPG assignment after the initial 4 week job search period.

 For individuals active in job search on 3/31/97, conduct profiling as soon as possible provided 4 weeks of job search have been completed.

 Individuals whose previous JOBS Program activity was job search, and who have completed more than 8 weeks of job search as their most recent activity, must be assigned to EPG 2.

 Active participants grandfathered in an activity other than job search must have profiling conducted after completion of the initial 4 week job search period.

Transition For Individuals in Job Search as of 3/31/97

The new policy replaces the former 16 week job search limit with the 26 week commitment. To implement this policy for individuals currently in job search or job readiness:

 All individuals participating in job search or job readiness as of 3/31/97 are considered to be enrolled and participating in the job search component effective 3/31/97.

 Count only the weeks of job search or job readiness completed after 3/31/97 toward the 26 week job search requirement

Individuals in Post Secondary Education Approved prior to 4/1/95

Individuals that had approved EP’s prior to the policy changes of April 1995 affecting post secondary education still may receive tuition payments and fees and supplies if the following criteria are met:

 The activity was approved and specified on a EP developed prior to 4/1/95,

 The individual is still enrolled and actively participating in the activity, and

 The individual can document current satisfactory progress in the activity.

Transitioning 2 Parent Family Cases

Unemployed Parent Cases with 2 Non-Exempt Parents

Under the former policy, both non-exempt parents in an unemployed parent case were required to participate. Under the new policy, the second parent is only required to participate if the household is receiving child care assistance and there is no disabled parent or child in the household. To implement this change:

 At the first contact with UP participants, inform the parents of the policy changes and determine if a parent may be exempt because they are the 2nd parent and the household is not receiving child care assistance;

 If a parent is exempt, determine if the individual will consider participating as a volunteer. If the individual will not be participating as a volunteer, change the exemption status to "exempt".

Increase in Participation Hours for Unemployed Parent Cases

The required hours of participation for one parent in a two-parent household has increased from 20 hours per week to 35 hours per week. At first contact, notify the family of the changes and modify the Employability Plan to outline the steps to be taken and the timeframe necessary to meet the participation requirements.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

A series of informational notices containing general information about program changes and the new work requirements have been sent with recipient payroll checks over the past few months. Notices mailed with the 3/15/97 and 3/30/97 payrolls specifically notified recipients that NHEP and FAP and the new work requirements would become effective 3/31/97. In addition, a letter was sent to all open TANF-AP recipients currently coded on the JOBS Tracking System as enrolled in Job Search or Job Readiness activities informing them of the new 26 week job search requirement and giving general information on transition to NHEP job search activities.

TRAINING

NHEP staff have developed a comprehensive NHEP training manual addresses policy released in this SR, as well as all procedures necessary for District Office and NHEP team members to implement the new work requirements. Two-day training sessions were provided to NHEP team members, District Office Supervisors, and selected State Office staff on March 24-25 in Laconia, NH, and March 27-28 in Merrimack, NH. Additional training will be provided on an as-needed basis by NHEP State Office staff.

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

Remove and Destroy Insert

Family Assistance Manual

Key Work Index, beginning with, Key Work Index, beginning with,

"Termination," and ending with, "Termination," and ending with,

"Youth Employment Program," "Youth Employment Program,"

SR 95-50/May 1997, SR 95-51/July 1997 and

1 sheet SR 97-9/March 1997,

 1 sheet

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS (cont.)

Table of Contents, Chapter 200, Table of Contents, Chapter 200,

SR 95-30/May 1995 and  SR 97-9/March 1997,

SR 96-58/February 1997, 2 sheets

2 sheets

Part 201 through Section 209.23, Part 201 through Section 209.23,

SR 95-30/May 1995, SR 96-14/May 1996, SR 97-9/March 1997,

and SR 94-4/April 1994, and SR 94-4/April 1994,

7 sheets 7 sheets

Section 209.29 through Section 227.07, Section 209.29 through Section 227.07,

SR 94-55/July 1995, SR 94-4/April 1994, SR 97-9/March 1997, and

SR 97-5/January 1997,  SR 94-4/April 1994,

SR 95-11/March 1995, 14 sheets

SR 94-62/September 1994,

SR 95-47/July 1997, and

SR 96-14/May 1996,

14 sheets

Section 313.05 through Section 315.15, Section 313.05 through Section 315.13,

SR 95-11 and SR 94-4/April 1994, SR 97-9/March 1997,

3 sheets 3 sheets

Forms Manual

Test Form 31T, Forms 31 and 31(i),

SR 97-9/November 1996, SR 97-8/March 1997,

1 sheet 1 sheet

Forms 220 and 220(i), Forms 220 and 220(i),

SR 94-8/February 1994, SR 97-9/March 1997,

3 sheets 3 sheets

Forms 221 and 221(i), Forms 221 and 221(i),

SR 89-30/October 1989, SR 97-9/March 1997,

1 sheet 1 sheet

Forms 222T and 222 (i), Forms 222 and 222 (i),

SR 96-24/July 1996, SR 97-9/March 1997,

2 sheets 2 sheets

Form 223T and 223(i) Forms 223 and 223(I),

SR 96-24/July 1996 SR 97-9/March 1997,

1 sheet 1 sheet

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS (cont.)

Forms 227T and 227T(i), Forms 227 and 227 (i),

SR 96-24/July 1996, SR 97-9/March 1997,

3 sheets 3 sheets

Form 228 and 228(I) Form 228 and 228(I),

SR 96-24/July 1996, SR 97-9/March 1997,

2 sheets 2 sheets

None Form 228P

 SR 97-9/March 1997

 1 sheet

Form 229T and 229T(i) Form 229 and 229(i),

SR 96-24/July 1996 SR 97-9/March 1997,

1 sheet 1 sheet

Forms 229(a) and 229(b) Forms 229(a) and 229(b)

SR 96-24/July 1996 SR 97-9/March 1997,

2 sheets 2 sheets

Form 229(c) None

SR 96-24/July 1996

1 sheet

None Forms 230 and 230(i),

 SR 97-9/March 1997,

 3 sheets

None Forms 231 and 231(i),

 SR 97-9/March 1997,

 1 sheet

None Forms 232 and 232(i),

 SR 97-9/March 1997’

 2 sheets

None Forms 233 and 233(I),

 SR 97-9/March 1997,

 1 sheet

None Forms 234 and 234(I),

 SR 97-9/March 1997,

 1 sheet

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS (cont.)

None Forms 236 and 236(I),

 SR 97-9/March 1997,1 sheet

DISPOSITION

This SR must be retained in the FAM until manual pages for Chapters 800 and 900 are released.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR only will be distributed according to the SR narrative distribution list. The SR and pages will be distributed to all holders of the Family Assistance and Forms Manuals. Printed copies of the forms will be distributed to all holders of the Forms Manual.

OES/SJC

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

I hereby certify that all copies of Forms 220, SR 94-8/February 1994; 221, SR 94-34/July 1994, Form 31T, SR 96-9/November 1996, and Forms 222T, 223T, 227T, 229T, and 229a, 229b, and 229c, SR 96-24/August 1996 have been destroyed.

Office Manager:      District Office:      

NOTE: Return this certificate to Stock Control at State Office after the instructions in this SR have been carried out.