803 NOTIFICATIONS AT APPLICATION SR 06-12, 10/06 (FAM-A)

*Use Form 261, TANF Interview Checklist, during the TANF/UP initial eligibility interview. Explain the services available through NHEP to NHEP/UP applicants. In addition:

• inform * NHEP/UP applicants that attendance at a NHEP orientation is a condition of eligibility for cash assistance; and

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• encourage exempt individuals to volunteer.

NHEP Rights and Responsibilities: Inform applicants of their rights and responsibilities. Include information on all the following.

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

• the employment first concept;

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

• that at the NHEP orientation, NHEP participants will be scheduled for a Service Determination Appointment (SDA) and will create an initial Employability Plan (EP); and

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• the requirements for two-parent families, if applicable.

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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" provided to cases receiving NHEP/UP financial assistance and experiencing one of the hardship extension criteria listed in PART 134, HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS TO THE 60-MONTH STATE LIFETIME LIMIT;

• how eligibility for all other assistance programs, including Medicaid, Child Care, and Food Stamps, is not connected to the TANF/UP 60-month lifetime limit;

• how the NHEP can prepare an individual for self sufficiency prior to reaching the limit; and

• how the individual can determine when it is most beneficial to receive assistance, when considering the lifetime limit.

Support services 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;

• child care and availability of resource and referral services;

• assistance with removing obstacles to employment;

• a 50% earned income disregard;

• the ability to save up to $2,000 while on financial assistance; and

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

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

• extended medical assistance for up to 12 months;

• HKG-185: Healthy Kids-Gold medical coverage for children aged 0-19 with net family income no higher than 185% of federal poverty income guidelines;

• HKG-300: Healthy Kids-Gold medical coverage for infants up to age 1 with net family income greater than 185%, but no higher than 300%, of federal poverty income guidelines;

• HKS: Healthy Kids-Silver medical coverage for children age 1 to 19 with net family income greater than 185%, but less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level;

• availability of child care up to 190% of poverty level;

• return of remitted child support to individual;

• earned income tax credit; and

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

Discuss the following additional program information:

• what mandatory/voluntary participation means and grounds for exemption;

• that upon receiving 39 or more months of NHEP/UP financial assistance, participation in NHEP work activities becomes mandatory for most recipients;

• the penalties for voluntarily quitting a job without good cause or refusing or failing to comply with work requirements or accept suitable employment without good cause;

• good cause, * and administrative appeal provisions, and that the individual may have someone accompany them to a good cause meeting or an administrative appeal;

• progressive sanctioning for NHEP participants who refuse or fail to meet NHEP program requirements; and

• the availability of child support enforcement services and the penalties for non-compliance with child support requirements, including establishing paternity.