DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Division of Social Services

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Employment and Training Program

In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Social Services (DSS) is proposing to amend the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment and Training Program. Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy and Program Development Unit, Division of Social Services, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to (302) 255-4425 by January 31, 2008.

The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

The purpose of this regulatory action is to amend the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding participation and participation rates provisions for the TANF Employment and Training Program.

Statutory Authority

Summary of Proposed Change

DSSM 3006.2, TANF Employment and Training Participation and Participation Rates: These rule modifications clarify the calculation of the work participation rate and the required participation of TANF recipients in employment and training activities. Previously implemented in January 2007, this policy was already a federal exemption option but DSS was more restrictive with the thirteen (13) weeks option.

DSS PROPOSED REGULATION #07-58

REVISIONS:

3006.2 TANF Employment and Training Participation and Participation Rates

Under the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Block Grant, DSS is required to meet the following work participation rates with respect to all families that include an adult or minor child head of household receiving assistance:

DSS may face a lower work participation rate if it experiences a net caseload reduction compared to FY 2005.

Example: If it is determined that DSS' average monthly caseload in FY 2006 was 4 percentage points lower than average monthly caseloads in FY 2005, then, rather than having to meet a 50% work participation rate requirement in FY 2006, the rate would be lowered by 4 percentage points to 46%.

To be counted toward meeting the work participation rate, each individual must meet the required number of hours each week.

Single parents who are not working 30 hours a week or making an equivalent of 30 hours a week times minimum wage are required to participate in work and/or work related activities. Participation in work and work related activities must equal at least a minimum average of 30 hours a week.; and, at least 20 of the hours per week must come from participation in federally defined core activities.

Single parent/caretaker TANF recipients with a child in the TANF household under six are deemed to be engaged in work for a month if the recipient is engaged in federally defined core work activities for an average of at least 20 hours per week during the month.

Two-parent families where one parent is not working at least 35 hours a week or making the equivalent of 35 hours a week times minimum wage are required to participate in work and/or work related activities. Participation in work and work related activities must equal an average of at least 35 hours a week.; and, at least 30 of the hours per week must come from participation in federally defined core activities.

Two parent families who receive federally funded Purchase of Care services who are not working at least 55 hours a week or making the equivalent of 55 hours a week times minimum wage are required to participate in work and/or work related activities. Participation in work and work related activities for one parent must equal 35 hours a week. Combined hours of participation in work and work related activities must equal an average of at least 55 hours a week. Of the average 55 hours a week the participants must average at least 50 hours a week of federally defined core activities.

Teen parents are required to attend school, work, or participate in the employment and training activities. Elementary, sSecondary, post-secondary, vocational, training school, and participation in a GED program meets participation requirements for the month and is the equivalent to work. If they are not attending one of the above types of school or working for 30 hours a week they must participate in employment and training activities for 20 or 30 hours a week.

Single custodial parents with a child under 12 months of age are able to receive an exemption from Employment and Training requirements for a total of 12 months in their lifetime. These 12 months can be used any time the parent has a child less than 12 months of age. Once the youngest child reaches 12 months of age the parents are required to participate in Employment and Training. If they are already working the equivalent of their required Employment and Training Hours (20, 30, 35, 55), the DCIS II system will code them as volunteers for Employment and Training.

The monthly participation rate is calculated as follows:

Numerator: # of TANF and SSP-MOE families with a work-eligible-individual who meet the participation requirement for the month

divided by

Denominator: # of TANF and SSP-MOE families that include a work-eligible individual, less # of families sanctioned in that month for failure to participate in work (for up to 3 months in preceding 12 month period), less the number of non-needy caretaker households less the number of single custodial parents opting to use one of the 12 months allowable exemptions for caring for a child under one year of age. A parent can only use this exemption for a total of 12 months in their lifetime.

8 DE Reg. 1618 (5/01/05)

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