803 NHEP PARTICIPANT NOTIFICATION (FAM)

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Applicants of Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) who become participants of the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) are advised of the services available to them through NHEP including:

The purpose of NHEP and what the individual can expect when meeting with the team including:

•       that at the NHEP Orientation, non-exempt NHEP participants who are not employed will immediately begin participating in the job readiness and/or job search activity; and

•       that upon becoming eligible for financial assistance, NHEP participants will be scheduled for a Service Determination Appointment (SDA) and will create an initial Employability Plan (EP).

A review of the 60-month lifetime limit for financial assistance, including:

•       the automatic exemption from the 60-month lifetime limit for assistance groups receiving Family Assistance Program (FAP) financial assistance, for as long as the family continues to meet FAP eligibility criteria;

•    the time-limited, temporary "extensions" to the FANF lifetime limit that families may request who have received FANF financial assistance for 60 months and are experiencing one of the hardship extension criteria listed in PART 134, HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS TO THE FANF 60-MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT;

•       how eligibility for all other assistance programs, including Medicaid, NH Child Care Scholarship, and SNAP, is not connected to the FANF 60-month lifetime limit;

•       how the NHEP can prepare an individual for self-sufficiency prior to reaching the limit and the importance of complying with NHEP work program requirements; that failure to comply with NHEP when in an extension will result in termination of financial assistance for the entire assistance group (AG), and that when an AG has closed 2 times for this reason, the AG will not be eligible for another FANF hardship extension for any reason; and

•       how the individual can close their FANF assistance to save months on the 60-month lifetime limit.

Support services that may be available while an individual is participating in NHEP:

•       transportation assistance (except for those in the employment activity);

•       car repairs;

•       fees and supplies for training programs;

•       NH Child Care Scholarship and availability of resource and referral services;

•       assistance with removing obstacles to employment;

•       a 50% earned income disregard;

•       the ability to save up to $5,000 while receiving financial assistance; and

•       the support of trained Employment Counselor Specialists (ECS) who will help the individual prepare for, look for, and find employment.

Support services potentially available to an individual when financial assistance closes due to employment:

•       extended medical assistance for up to 12 months;

•       NH Child Care Scholarship, as long as the family’s income remains within income guidelines for the program. The family’s Step level and cost share may change, however;

•       return of remitted child support to individual;

•       earned income tax credit; and

•    Extended Food Stamp Benefits. See PART 249, EXTENDED FOOD STAMPS (EFS).

For more information see PART 808, NEW HAMPSHIRE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (NHEP). 

References: 45 CFR 264.1; RSA 167:3-c; He-W 602.05; He-W 637.02