TANF Work Program (TWP)

You must first apply for TANF and be approved. You can apply at your local MDHS office or www.access.ms.gov/

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), provides benefits for needy families with dependent children under age 18 without regard to race, creed, or national origin. Monthly TANF benefits are available for eligible children and their needy caretaker relatives who do not have enough income or resources to meet their everyday needs.

The goal of the TANF Work Program (TWP) is to end the dependence on public assistance by helping recipients prepare for a job by providing job readiness training, job skills training, vocational training, other educational training programs, and assisting you in finding and keeping a job.

A family with an adult included in the TANF grant can only receive TANF benefits for a lifetime maximum of 60 months. If applicant(s) is not exempt from work requirements, he/she will be considered a work eligible individual and will be referred to the TANF Work Program (TWP). The 60-month lifetime limit will be reduced to a maximum of 24 months if applicant does not participate satisfactorily in approved work activities. Unless applicant(s) meets a work exemption, monthly TANF benefits will not be paid if he/she fails to cooperate with the TANF Work Program (TWP)or meet the requirements of employability development plan.

You may be eligible for an exemption from TANF Work Program (TWP) requirements for the following reasons:

• Disability;

• Caretaker of an ill or incapacitated person (verified by a physician);

• Age – Over 60 or under 18;

• Domestic violence – documented by a physician and law enforcement records (not to exceed 12 months);

• Temporary Disability – not lasting more than 30 days;

• Pregnancy – third trimester based on medical complications verified by a physician;

• Substance Abuse Treatment – this exemption may only be requested at the time of application, reevaluation, or change from exempt to mandatory participation status;

or

• Caring for a child under 12 months old – this exemption can only be granted for a total of 12 months in a lifetime, regardless of the number of children in household.

The TANF Work Program Case Management Staff will:

• Provide orientation about work program requirements;

• Assess recipient’s employment skills and abilities to get and keep a job;

• Determine the work activities and type of services needed to get ready for work and find a job;

• Help make an Employability Development Plan (EDP) to help reach employment goals;

• Help with transportation, childcare, and work related expenses (uniforms, tools, licenses, etc.), if these services are needed to allow participation in program activities or go to work;

• Help prepare recipient for work by providing training and instruction about workplace expectations, interviewing skills, attitude, appropriate dress, hygiene, grooming, money management, shopping tips, etc. and

• Help recipient find and keep a job by assisting with job search activities, employer contacts, scheduling job interviews, and accompanying participant, if necessary, to job placement services, post-employment follow-up, etc.

While cooperating with the TANF Work Program (TWP) and meeting the requirements of individual employment plan (IEP), recipients will continue to receive TANF benefits and supportive services.

Participants work with designated MDHS and/or Mississippi Employment Security (MDES) Case Manager to determine employment goal(s). Recipients work with a Case Manager(s) to develop an employment plan, outlining work activities needed to help reach employment goals as quickly as possible. Participation in one or more of the following TANF work activities is required:

• Job readiness and job search activities

• Employment

• On-the-job training

• Work experience programs

• Community service programs

• Vocational education (not to exceed 12 months)

• High school or GED equivalent, if under age 20

• Job skills training directly related to employment

• Education directly related to employment

All of the above activities have certain requirements and restrictions that apply for the TANF Work Program (TWP). A Case Manager will explain work program participation requirements.

TANF recipients who find full-time employment of 35 or more hours per week and earn at or above the federal minimum wage may have the earned income received from this employment totally disregarded from the TANF budget for up to six (6) months. If eligible, the disregard will allow recipient(s) to receive both TANF benefits and earned paycheck without penalty. To be eligible, participant must find full-time employment:

Within thirty (30) days after initial (first) approval for TANF benefits after July 1, 1997;

-OR-

Within thirty (30) days after the start date of initial (first) job readiness/job search work activity in TWP.

If a recipient does not qualify for the 6-month total earned income disregard, he/she may be eligible for a 3-month total earned income disregard. To qualify, a household’s earned income must make the applicant(s) ineligible for TANF benefits and he/she must be employed at least 25 hours per week earning at or above the federal minimum wage.

If recipient chooses to receive TANF benefits using an earned income disregard while employed, the months used will be counted toward the 60-month lifetime maximum benefit limit. Contact your Case Manager about the qualifications for the 6- month (6D) and 3-month (3D) TANF Total Earned Income Disregards.

To encourage marriage and two-parent family households, a new spouse’s income and resources will be disregarded up to six months for a TANF recipient’s first marriage after October 1, 1999. TWP services will also be offered to the new spouse if the person is unemployed or underemployed.

While working, recipients may be entitled to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax benefit for working families with at least one dependent child living at home. Families who stop receiving TANF benefits because of earned income may be eligible for additional supportive services.

Contact local county Case Manager about the eligibility requirements for receiving these additional services.

If disqualified for failure to participate in the TANF Work Program (TWP), participants will receive a full benefit sanction. A full sanction means that the TANF case will be closed. Eligible SNAP case will also close if the household’s primary individual (PI) does not meet a SNAP work exemption or household benefits will be reduced. If the PI fails without good cause to participate satisfactorily, the appropriate penalty listed below will be applied:

1st offense-3 months minimum without benefits or until compliance, whichever is longer.

2nd offense-Permanent disqualification.

If a recipient quits a job, voluntarily reduces work hours, or is terminated as a direct result of personal actions, he/she will receive a full benefit sanction which will affect TANF and SNAP benefits. Participant will be disqualified for the appropriate TWP sanction period. Information about a full sanction and the applicable penalties are listed under SANCTIONS above.

If participant disagrees with a TWP decision, he/she has 10 days from the date of case closure or notice of benefit change to request a fair hearing if he/she would like TANF benefits to continue during the hearing process. Contact local county Case Manager with any questions about your rights and responsibilities in the TANF Work Program (TWP).