WSR 08-16-102

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed August 5, 2008, 9:37 a.m. , effective October 1, 2008 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2008.

     Purpose: This change will offer WorkFirst career services, administered by the employment security department, to employed adults, working thirty or more hours a week and who receive diversion cash assistance.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-310-2100.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-11-089 on May 20, 2008.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: July 21, 2008.

Katherine Iyall Vasquez, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3978.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-20-042, filed 9/26/07, effective 10/27/07)

WAC 388-310-2100   WorkFirst career services program.   (1) What is the WorkFirst career services program?

     ((The WorkFirst career services program is available to employed adults who leave temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or state family assistance (SFA) and are working thirty hours or more per week. The employment security department administers the program.))

WorkFirst career services, administered by employment security department, provides up to six months of:

     • Basic needs payments;

     • Wage progression services; and

     • Job retention services.

     (2) ((Who is eligible for the)) Can I get WorkFirst career services ((program))?

     (a) To ((qualify for the program)) get career services, you must:

     (i) Enroll with the employment security department within the first two calendar months after your TANF/SFA ends or within the first two calendar months after you received your first diversion cash assistance (DCA) payment.

     (((b) You must also meet the following conditions:

     (i) You are)) (ii) Be working thirty hours or more per week in a paid unsubsidized job; and

     (((ii) You are)) (iii) Be a custodial parent or caretaker relative who received TANF/SFA or DCA within at least one of the past two calendar months; and

     (((iii) You did not leave)) (iv) Not have left TANF/SFA in sanction status.

     (((c))) (b) Each adult in your family who meets these conditions and enrolls in the program will receive their own basic needs payments and services.

     (3) What services and basic needs payments are available while I am enrolled in the WorkFirst career services program?

     The WorkFirst career services program provides wage progression services, job retention services and basic needs payments.

     (a) Services include employment planning that will help you keep your job and increase your wages.

     (b) As shown in the chart below, cash payments and bonuses are made monthly, for up to six consecutive months after leaving TANF/SFA or receiving DCA.

     (c) You may receive up to six hundred fifty dollars in cash payments and bonuses over the six-month period following your TANF/SFA case closing or getting your first DCA payment.


Eligible Month Payments & Bonus Amounts Description of Payments and Bonuses
Month 1-6 After TANF/SFA or DCA $50.00 a month Monthly payments begin once you enroll. If you enroll during Month 2, then you are not eligible for the Month 1 payment.
Month 1 or 2 $150.00 One-time enrollment bonus when you sign up for the program.
Month 4 and 6 $100.00 month 4

$100.00 month 6

Bonus for completing the WorkFirst career services assessment and employment planning interview.

     (4) How long can I receive WorkFirst career services and basic needs payments?

     (a) WorkFirst career services and basic needs payments are available for a maximum of six consecutive months. Month one begins the calendar month after your TANF/SFA assistance ends or the calendar month after you receive your first DCA payment.

     (b) Your WorkFirst career services ((and basic needs)) payments will stop ((when)) for any of the following reasons:

     (i) We learn you are no longer working thirty hours a week in unsubsidized employment; ((or))

     (ii) You begin receiving TANF/SFA assistance ((again)); ((or))

     (iii) We do not have your current mailing address; ((or))

     (iv) You are not living in Washington; or

     (v) It has been more than six months since your initial DCA payment or since you stopped receiving TANF/SFA.

     (5) What happens if the employment security department learns I am no longer working thirty hours or more per week?

     (a) The employment security department will provide you with a letter ((giving you)) with at least ten days advance notice that your WorkFirst career services will close. ((This means that)) Your WorkFirst career services basic needs payments will stop at the end of the month in which your ten days notice expires. The letter will tell you how to request an administrative hearing if you disagree with the decision.

     (b) If you find a new job or increase your hours back up to thirty hours before the end of the month, you will remain eligible for career services payments.

     (c) Employment security staff can help you find new employment or work with you to increase your hours of employment.

     (6) What happens if I am approved for TANF/SFA assistance while I am receiving WorkFirst career services?

     If you start receiving TANF/SFA assistance, the employment security department will provide you with a letter and close your WorkFirst career services case at the end of the month. The letter will tell you how to request an administrative hearing if you disagree with the decision.

     (7) What happens if I request an administrative hearing?

     (a) You have the right to request an administrative hearing if you disagree with a decision or action regarding the WorkFirst career services Program. For more information, see chapter 388-02 WAC and RCW 74.08.080.

     (b) If you receive continued benefits, they will still end when you reach your benefit maximum as outlined under (3)(c) regardless of any other pending administrative hearing.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 2007 c 522. 07-20-042, § 388-310-2100, filed 9/26/07, effective 10/27/07.]

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