803 NOTIFICATIONS AT APPLICATION SR 12-04, 07/12 (FAM-A)

Use DFA Form 261, Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) Interview Checklist, during the FANF initial eligibility interview. Explain the services available through NHEP to FANF applicants. In addition:

• inform applicants that are required to attend the NHEP orientation that this meeting is a condition of eligibility for cash assistance; and

• 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;

• 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 cash 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 Food Stamps, 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 cash assistance for the entire 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 determine when it is most beneficial to receive assistance, when considering the 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 $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.

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

• extended medical assistance for up to 12 months;

• *Children’s Medicaid for children aged 0-19 with net family income no higher than *300% of federal poverty income guidelines;

 *

• 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).

Discuss the following additional program information:

• what mandatory/voluntary participation means and reasons for exemption from work program requirements;

• that upon receiving 39 or more months of FANF 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.