808.36 Actions Taken During A Sanction Period (FAM)

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Determining the end of a sanction period

• District Offices are responsible for initiating or removing sanctions for voluntary quits by FANF recipients and applicants.

• the NHEP Representative are responsible for initiating or removing sanctions for voluntary quits or failures/refusals to meet NHEP work program participation requirements.

The sanction period ends when the individual has verified full compliance with NHEP requirements for a minimum of two consecutive weeks or if the individual becomes exempt from NHEP work requirements.

Opening and closing a case during a sanction period

If the FANF case closes during a sanction period and the individual reapplies for financial assistance, the individual must fully participate with NHEP requirements for two consecutive weeks before eligibility for financial assistance can be redetermined.

If the FANF financial assistance case closes during a sanction period and the individual reapplies for financial assistance within 30 days of closure from work programs, attendance to a second orientation is not required.

Removal of a sanction due to compliance

For a sanction due to failure/refusal to meet a work related participation requirement, the sanctioned individual must complete a minimum period of 2 consecutive weeks of fully verified participation in an assigned and approved NHEP activity.

Exceptions:

• See Section 315.11, Reapplication/Reinstatement After Voluntary Quit, for removal of a sanction due to voluntary quit.

• Failure to comply has ceased as of the date full participation is verified. Once the sanction has been in place for a minimum of one payroll period, remove the sanction so that the payment standard is returned to the pre-sanction level in the next available payroll period, but no later than the payment period following the payment period in which the verification was provided.

• If reduced benefits have already been issued for the payment period which should be impacted, an automated supplemental payment will be generated. If the case is closed while in sanction and the compliance would have kept it open, there will be no automated supplemental payment. A manual supplemental payment is required.

Removal of a sanction due to exemption

• Individuals, who become exempt from NHEP work program requirements while under a sanction, must have the sanction removed and the payment standard returned to the pre-sanction level in the next available payroll period, but no later than the payment period following the payment period in which the verification of the exemption was provided.

• If the individual’s status later changes from exempt to mandatory, and there is a subsequent voluntary quit or act of noncompliance without good cause, begin progressive sanctioning at a level 1, regardless of the level of sanction at the time of the exemption.

References: He-W 637’s; RSA 167:79; RSA 167:82; RSA 167:83, II; RSA 167:85