DSS expects work-eligible adults to participate in either employment or activities related to finding work (e.g., employment and training activities) for the required number of hours 30, 35, or 55 hours a week for two consecutive weeks prior to TANF benefits being authorized. The TANF benefit will continue uninterrupted as long as the participation in work or work activities continues for the required number of hours per week (see section 3006.2). DSS also expects caretakers to cooperate as necessary with school and other officials to ensure satisfactory school attendance by dependent children under age 16. The failure of clients to maintain any of these activities represent sanctionable offenses.

10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)

Clients must keep appointments with employment and training staff, cooperate in the development of the Employability Plan, and participate in employment and training activities equivalent to the required weekly amounts.

Clients who have secured employment are expected to continue employment unless they have good cause for terminating a job (see Good Cause definition under 3001 Definitions) and participate in approved employment and training activities.

Parents are expected to cooperate with school officials and other service providers in helping their child(ren) maintain satisfactory attendance. Penalties can be imposed if parents do not cooperate. Parents with children under age 16 are expected to exert more influence over their children since early school attendance is so important in moving children down the path to self-sufficiency. (See section DSSM 3009 and 3012 for requirements and sanctions related to cooperation to ensure school attendance by children 16 and over and children under the age of 16.

10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)

See Administrative Notice: A-7-99 Child Care Issues

Self-sufficiency requirements include those related to employment and training and work.

The penalty for noncompliance with the self-sufficiency requirements will be the closure of the entire TANF case for one month and a mandatory four consecutive weeks of participation. The four consecutive week participation is mandatory to cure the sanction and reopen the case. The case may remain closed longer than one month if the four consecutive weeks of participation have not been completed.

If the adult is deemed unemployable remove the sanction and enter the correct exemption. Then the case may be reopened for the length of time that the adult is not able to work.

The penalty for individuals who quit their jobs without good cause and do not comply with subsequent job search requirements will be the closure of the TANF case for one month or until the individual obtains a job of equal or higher pay. If the individual participates for the required amount of hours in approved work related activities for four consecutive weeks the case can be reopened.

Note : Under TANF regulations , Section 402(e)(2) , DSS cannot impose sanctions when individuals refuse to participate in work or work-related activities if these individuals are single custodial parents with at least one child under age six , and these parents have demonstrated an inability to obtain needed child care. This provision neither makes parents exempt from participation in work activities, nor makes them exempt from time limits. It only restricts DSS authority to sanction.

Parents must demonstrate the following:

the unavailability of appropriate child care within a reasonable distance from their home or work ( reasonable distance is defined as care that is located in proximity to either a parent’s place of employment or near the parent’s home, generally care that is within one hour’s drive);

the unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or under other arrangements ( unsuitability of informal care is defined as care that would not meet the physical or psychological needs of the child);

the unavailability of appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements ( affordable care is defined as care that would provide access to a full range of child care categories and types of providers ; and appropriate care is care that meets the health and safety standards as defined by State licensing guidelines, as well as the needs of the parents and children).

Parents who claim an inability to obtain needed child care must contact a DSS worker to press their claim. Parents will have 10 days, either from the date when they first attempted to find child care or ten days from the date DSS instructed them to participate in work activities , to contact the worker. DSS staff will have 20 days to review and decide whether the parents have a legitimate claim. If DSS determines that the parents did not demonstrate their claim , workers are to impose the sanctions. DSS will not sanction parents who have demonstrated their claims. Document reasons in DCIS under Case Remarks.

10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)

Clients must keep appointments with Employment and Training staff, complete the Employability Development Plan and follow through with the recommendations of the Employment and Training staff for a minimum period of one month, including four consecutive weeks of the required amount of hours for that household 30, 35, or 55 hours of participation.

Clients, unless indicated otherwise, must participate in the work and/or work related activities for a minimum period of four consecutive weeks.

EXAMPLE: A client fails to meet the required hours of participation and is sanctioned. In order to cure this sanction, the client must contact the Employment and Training staff, and follow through with her work activity for 30, 35, or 55 hours a week (client’s required hours) for a minimum period of four consecutive weeks before the sanction is considered cured.

DSS expects employable adults to participate in either employment or activities related to finding work (e.g., employment and training activities) for TANF benefits to continue uninterrupted. Either an employable adult is working or is participating in activities to secure employment. The failure of clients to maintain either of these activities is a sanctionable offense.

10 DE Reg. 706 (10/01/06)