Welfare Transition Program

1
Welfare Transition Program

• Exceptions and Deferrals
• Agency for Workforce Innovation
• Statewide Training
• Spring 2005

2
Flow Chart
Individual Submits Request for Assistance (RFA)
to DCF
ESS Completes Eligibility Process
Return Appointment is Scheduled
Refers to RWB Provider
Yes
Referred to RWB Designee for Work Registration
New Case or Reopen Alert Received by RWB Provider
Work Registration Completed?
Welfare Transition Orientation is Scheduled
No
Cash Assistance Denied
3
Exceptions To Non-Compliance Penalties

• All TCA recipients who are Not Exempt must
  participate in work activities
• Mandatory penalty process under federal law
• Federal law requires the State to initiate and
  apply the penalty process outline in the State
  plan if a participant is not compliant in a month
  of TCA receipt
• Florida Statute 414.065 has provided exceptions
  to penalties for certain circumstances

4
Exceptions to Penalties

• Noncompliance related to
• Childcare
• Domestic Violence
• Treatment or Remediation of Past Domestic
  Violence
• Medical Incapacity
• Outpatient Mental Health or Substance Abuse
  Treatment
• Medical Incapacity by a SSI/SSDI Applicant
• Other Good Cause

5
Deferrals

• Continue to be mandatory
• May be excused from participation in work
  activities for a specified period of time
• Alternative activities must be assigned that will
  move the individual back to participation
• Time limits continue to apply
• Follow-up requirements

6
Noncompliance Related to Childcare

• Child under 6
• Family proves an inability to obtain suitable
  childcare
• Within a reasonable distance from the
  individuals home or worksite
• In an informal setting, or
• That is appropriate and affordable (formal)
• Alternative plan requirements

7
Noncompliance Related to Domestic Violence

• Work requirements would make it probable that the
  individual would not be able to escape domestic
  violence
• Must comply with an Alternative Requirement Plan
  (ARP) that prepares the individual for self
  sufficiency while providing for the safety of the
  individual and dependents

8
Noncompliance Related to Treatment or Remediation
of Past Effects of Domestic Violence

• Unable to comply with work requirements due
  mental or physical impairment related to past
  incidents of domestic violence
• The individual must comply with an alternative
  requirement plan designed to prepare the
  individual for self-sufficiency while providing
  for the safety of the individual and dependents
• The plan must include counseling or a course of
  treatment necessary for the individual to resume
  participation.
• The need for treatment must be verified by a
  licensed physician, psychologist or other
  professional identified in 414.065.

9
Noncompliance Related to Outpatient SAMH Treatment

• The individual may be excused up to five hours
  per week to participate in treatment
• The individual may not exceed 100 hours per year
• The treatment must be verified by a mental health
  or substance abuse professional
• The attendance must be documented and provided to
  the RWB provider

10
Noncompliance Due to Medical Incapacity

• A participant cannot comply because of a medical
  incapacity or limitation
• The limitation is documented by a licensed
  physician
• The participant must comply with work activities
  designed with regards to limitations
• The RWB may require evaluation (work or
  vocational assessment)

11
(No Transcript)
12
Noncompliance for SSI/SSDI Applicants

• An individual who verifies (s)he has applied for
  SSI/SSDI
• The decision is pending and the application or
  appeal remains current
• The individual must verify medical limitations
• The individual must comply with activities
  designed with regards to documented limitations

13
Medical Incapacity Documentation

• If a participant is excused from work activities
  based on medical incapacity, the documentation
  must include
• The nature of the medical incapacity
• The duration of the incapacity
• The number of hours per week the individual can
  participate in activities
• The percentage of the individuals disability
• Other limitations on participation in work
  activities
• The course of treatment necessary to resume
  participation

14
Other Good Cause Exceptions

• Circumstances out of the individuals control
• Other reasons approved by the RWB and outlined in
  the local operating procedures

15
Local Operating Procedures

• Documentation
• When is documentation required to support good
  cause?
• When is documentation required to support
  deferrals?
• How often does a licensed physician have to
  update medical documentation?

• Follow-up
• How often is a deferral reviewed?
• How often is the IRP with alternative
  requirements updated?
• What is the process for vocational or work
  assessments?

16
QUIZ TIME!

• If a participant provides documentation of an
  SSI/SSDI application, (s)he does not have to
  participate in WORK activities?
• YES
• NO

17
Answer

• NO! A participant may be excused from work
  activities if (s)he documents a medical
  incapacity
• Supported under 414.065 (f) and 414.105 (11)

18
QUIZ TIME!

• If a participant needs to participate in
  treatment more than 5 hours per week, the RWB can
  accept the treatment attendance sheet to enter a
  deferral?
• Yes
• No

19
Answer

• No
• Not participating in work activities beyond 5
  hours per week requires verification by a
  licensed physician or proof of in-patient
  participation
• The RWB must secure verification for
  participation in treatment and participation with
  the Alternative Requirement Plan

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QUIZ TIME!

• The participant attends orientation. He states he
  cannot work due to a back injury. The career
  manager should enter a deferral and provide the
  participant with an IRP that requires the
  participant to secure documentation of
  limitations by a licensed physician.
• True
• False

21
Answer

• False
• The participant should be assigned to a countable
  work activity that is sensitive to the
  participants claim. The participant should be
  informed of the ability to be engaged in
  alternative requirements, but documentation
  signed by a licensed physician is required.
  Information regarding documentation should be
  discussed, and the participant should be provided
  with a Medical Verification Form. The IRP should
  be updated with both the countable work activity
  and the need to secure verification of medical
  limitations.