803 NOTIFICATIONS AT APPLICATION SR 04-11, 05/04 (FAM-A)

Provide the NHEP applicant with Form 244, TANF’s Road to Employment, and use Form 261, TANF Interview Checklist, during the NHEP initial eligibility interview. Explain the education, training, and employment opportunities available through NHEP. In addition:

• inform individuals how they can become NHEP participants;

• explain the initial appraisal and how referrals are made; and

• encourage exempt individuals to volunteer.

NHEP Rights and Responsibilities: Inform applicants of their rights and responsibilities. Include information on all the following.

The purpose of NHEP and what the individual can expect when meeting with the team including:

• the employment first concept;

• the assessment process and the employability plan;

• the two components of NHEP;

• the initial 4 weeks of job search even while in applicant status;

• that the initial 4 weeks of job search includes one of more of the following - job readiness, making arrangements for child care and transportation; employment counseling, employment preparation and employer contacts;

• the possible availability of other activities after the initial four weeks of job search; and

• the requirements for two parent families, if applicable.

Information on activities that suspend a participant from the initial 4 weeks of job search:

• full time GED;

• barrier resolution; and

• self-initiated education.

A review of the 60-month lifetime limit for financial assistance:

• the automatic exemption from the 60-month lifetime limit for assistance groups receiving Family Assistance Program (FAP) financial assistance, for as long as the family continues to meet FAP eligibility criteria;

• the time-limited, temporary "extensions" provided to cases receiving NHEP financial assistance and experiencing one of the hardship extension criteria listed in Part 134, HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS TO THE TANF 60-MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT;

• how eligibility for all other assistance programs, including Medicaid, Child Care, and Food Stamps, is not connected to the TANF 60-month lifetime limit;

• how the NHEP can prepare an individual for self sufficiency prior to reaching the limit; and

• questions to help an individual determine when it is most beneficial to receive assistance.

Support services available while an individual is participating in NHEP:

• transportation assistance (except for those in the employment activity);

• car repairs;

• fees and supplies for training programs;

• childcare and availability of resource and referral services;

• obstacles to employment;

• a 50% earned income disregard;

• the ability to save up to $2,000 while on financial assistance;

• the support of trained Employment Counselor Specialists (ECS) who will help the individual prepare for, look for, and find employment; and

• case management and support services after the individual becomes employed, even if financial assistance closes.

Support services available when an individual closes from financial assistance due to employment:

• extended medical assistance for up to 12 months;

• HKG-185: Healthy Kids-Gold medical coverage for children aged 0-19 with net family income no higher than 185% of federal poverty income guidelines;

• HKG-300: Healthy Kids-Gold medical coverage for infants up to age 1 with net family income greater than 185%, but no higher than 300%, of federal poverty income guidelines;

• HKS: Healthy Kids-Silver medical coverage for children age 1 to 19 with net family income greater than 185%, but less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level;

• availability of child care up to 190% of poverty level;

• return of remitted child support to individual;

• earned income tax credit; and

• case management services for 90 days.

Discuss the following additional program information:

• what mandatory/voluntary participation means and grounds for exemption;

• that upon receiving 39 or more months of NHEP financial assistance, participation in NHEP work activities becomes mandatory for most recipients;

• the penalties for voluntarily quitting a job without good cause or refusing or failing to comply with work requirements or accept suitable employment without good cause;

• good cause, conciliation, and administrative appeal provisions, and that the individual may have someone attend conciliation and administrative appeals with them; and

• the availability of child support enforcement services and the penalties for non-compliance with child support requirements.