3110.1 TAF Participation Rate Requirements - Although participation is a major consideration, in some instances a component assignment which does not count as participation may be utilized because it best addresses the individual's barriers/strengths. Individuals with temporary disabilities should be assigned to work related activities if an appropriate component is available. See the Components to Meet TAF Work Requirements/Participation Chart in the Appendix (T-1).
States are required to meet annual participation rates with respect to all TAF families that include an adult or minor child head of household receiving assistance. Each SRS management region needs to work toward achieving the 50% all families work participation rate and a 90% two-parent work participation rate. These participation requirements are specific to TAF and do not apply to FS E&T.
A work eligible individual is anyone whose participation in work activities contributes to determining whether the family counts in the calculation of the work participation rate. Work eligible individuals are either:
An adult who is receiving TANF except:
an adult providing care for a disabled family member who is not a full time student and is in the home;
an adult participating in tribal work programs;
OR a non-recipient parent living with a child receiving TANF except:
minor parents who are not head of household;
minor parents who are not a spouse of the head-of-household;
illegal aliens; and
recipients of SSI (by state option).
Kansas expects participation in assignments that best address individual family needs. To meet the federal work participation rules, minimum weekly assignments are 30 hours in one parent households where the youngest child is 6 years of age or older or 55 hours in two parent households (35 hours per week if child care is not used) and the maximum assignment is 40 hours per week per individual.
NOTE: Single parent families with a child under age 6 meet the federal participation requirement if the parent is engaged in work or work activities for at least 20 hours per week in a primary work component.
Up to 30% of the total TAF individuals meeting the work participation requirement may be in the Vocational Education Component.
Allowable components that count toward the participation rate are divided into "primary" and "secondary" components. In order for TAF clients to meet Federal participation requirements, clients must be assigned to 20 hours a week in primary components and an additional 10 hours a week of either primary or secondary components. The EES worker will plan individually with each applicant/recipient to develop the Self-Sufficiency Plan. The Plan will define the number of weekly hours of participation to best help the client achieve employment and the maximum level of self-sufficiency.
Definition And Special Rules For Two-Parent Families - The two parent work participation requirement applies to TAF cases in which a child, including an unborn,
has both parents in the home and neither of the parents is prevented from employment. The following situations are considered two parent households:
one or both parents are age 60 or over;
one parent is a minor; or
situations in which other nonmutual children are in the family group.
The following situations do not meet the two parent definition and will not be required to meet the two parent family participation criteria:
one or both parents are ineligible (e.g., ineligible immigrant) or are considered disabled (including situations where the individual self declares a disability or incapacity);
both parents are minors; or
boyfriend/girlfriend (BG Relationship Code) situations where one parent is under age 18 and not emancipated.
To meet the Federal work participation rate:
both parents must participate in a combined total of 55 hours per week, 50 hours of which must be in primary components, or
one or both parents could be assigned a combined total of 35 hours per week (30 hours of which must be primary components) if SRS paid child care is not received by the family.
Example of an appropriate 35 hour assignment: The father is employed 35 hours per week, the family has one vehicle and the mother stays home to provide care for four children.
The EES worker should advise the customer about the different work participation possibilities for addressing the family's specific situation and meeting the federal work participation requirement. The customer and the worker will develop the plan that best addresses the needs of the family.
Importance of KAECSES Coding: The following coding is critical in assuring the State correctly reports the number of two-parent families:
If one or both parents is disabled, code the disabled parent as mandatory in the Work Program Referral field with an IN code in the Reason field.
If two adult TAF recipients (IN on SEPA) on a case are both coded as responsible for one or more children on LERP, the system will regard this case as a two-parent family for federal reporting purposes.
NOTE: Some two-adult households do not meet the two-parent definition. For instance, there may not be a mutual child. These two-adult households are required to meet the 30 hour per week all families work participation rate.
Special Rules For Households With Teen Parents - A teen parent is defined as a pregnant or parenting person under age 20 who does not have a high school level education. For work program participation requirements, a teen parent continues to be considered a teen parent during the month he or she turns 20.
All TAF teen parents under age 20 without a high school diploma or GED meet the participation requirement if the teen is satisfactorily participating in high school or GED for a minimum of one hour per week. In addition, TAF teen parents who are 18 or 19 without a high school diploma or GED, will meet the participation requirement if the teen is assigned to ABE, ESL, or REM for a minimum of 20 hours per week, or Vocational Education for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Teen parents are provided with intensive case management services and assigned to activities based upon their individual needs.
NOTE: Teen Parents in a two parent family are subject to two parent participation requirements. Teen parent status takes precedence in determining what is considered as a primary component for that individual.
3110.2 FS E&T Participation Limitations - The total hours of participation in an E&T component will be determined by dividing the household’s food stamp allotment for the month by the federal minimum wage. These hours may be divided between household members. Participation hours in E&T work components plus non-work components and /or employment for any FS household member cannot exceed 120 hours per month. The case worker cannot require the customer to volunteer to work beyond the 120 hour maximum. Activities attended by the customer, such as classes or training, will not be paid for with E&T funds if the customer has exceeded the 120 hour limit.