department of health and social services
Division of Social Services
PUBLIC NOTICE
proposed
Delaware's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Employment and Training
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 is proposing to amend the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding changes to Delaware's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment and Training policies.
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 & Program Development Unit, Division of Social Services, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 by September 30, 2005.
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 PROPOSED CHANGE
Citation
Senate Bill 101, 140th General Assembly: Delaware Welfare Reform Education and Training Assistance Act
Summary of Proposal
Senate Bill 101, effective July 2, 1999, allows participants in Delaware's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to engage in secondary education, post-secondary education, and vocational training as part of the work activity requirement. The participants in this program must be enrolled as full-time students, must be students in good standing, and will be required to have a combination of credit hours and work hours equaling at least 20 hours per week while they are in school. Participants must attend accredited or approved programs and will receive the same support services while in school, such as child care and transportation, as do other TANF participants. By enabling TANF participants to pursue secondary education, post-secondary education, and vocational training, Delaware will create a workforce that is more financially stable and less likely to need public assistance again, while at the same time increasing its tax revenue as these same people earn higher wages. This is a correction to the previously published policy which increased the minimum combination of credit hours and work to 25 hours.
DSS PROPOSED REGULATION #05-42
REVISIONS:
3006.6 Senate Bill 101- 1997 1999 and Employment & Training Activities
Under Senate Bill 101- 1997 1999, persons who must participate in Delaware's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, can qualify for participation purposes if they are engaged in secondary education, post-secondary education up to the baccalaureate level, adult basic education or vocational training. Participants must meet the following Senate Bill 101-1997 1999 requirements in order to meet participation rates.
(a) Persons who qualify for assistance under Delaware’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program shall be eligible to participate in adult basic education, secondary education, post-secondary education up to the baccalaureate level, adult basic education or vocational training as an approved work activity provided each of the following requirements are met:
1. The person does not hold a baccalaureate degree.
2. The secondary, post-secondary education up to the baccalaureate level or vocational training is pursued through an accredited or approved school program.
3. The person is enrolled with enough credit hours to have full-time student status and is in good standing as it relates to attendance and achievement as defined by the program the person is attending.
4. If the person attending school would otherwise be subject to a work requirement in order to receive assistance under TANF, the combination of credit hours and work hours shall equal at least 25 20 hours per week while the program is in session. This work requirement may be met through work-study, internships, externships, or through work as a research assistant. If possible, during scheduled breaks, the work requirement will be the same as for other program participants, with work experience related to the field of study. However, if the student is enrolled full-time for the next semester and work activity placement cannot be arranged for the duration of the break in classes, it may be excused.
For every 1 credit hour, count 1.5 hours of study as part of the fulfillment of the required work participation hours. Therefore, if a persons full-time status is 12 credit hours count the 12 hours plus an additional 18 hours (12 x 1.5=18) for a total of 30 hours of weekly participation.
(b) Loans, scholarships, grants and work-study received by the recipient to pay for tuition and materials are excluded in determination of eligibility for assistance under TANF or the amount of assistance received by the recipient.
(c) The Department of Health and Social Services shall advise all persons of this section at application interviews and, at a minimum, at each recertification appointment.
(d) Persons attending education and training programs under this section shall receive support services, such as assistance with transportation and child care, while they attend the educational or vocational training program on the same basis as support services are provided other persons who are receiving assistance under TANF.
(e) If program completion will occur within one semester or quarter after the time limit expires, an extension may be granted for that semester or quarter.
(f) Persons sanctioned while attending educational or vocational programs shall be afforded the same due process as provided other persons under TANF.
