R6-12-316. Sanctions for Noncompliance

A. The Department shall notify the assistance unit of benefit reduction or case closure when: 1. Benefits will be reduced or the case closed because of noncompliance with the requirements of R6-12-311, R6- 12-312, R6-12-313(C), and R6-12-314; and 2. The assistance unit’s benefits are not currently reduced because of sanctions. B. The notice shall include the following information: 1. A brief statement of the progressive sanction policy as follows: a. For the first sanction, the Department will reduce cash benefits by 25% for at least one month; b. Unless all members are in compliance by the end of the sanction month, the Department will impose another sanction. c. For the second sanction, the Department will reduce cash benefits by 50% for at least one month. d. For the third and subsequent sanctions, the Department will close the case and it must remain closed for at least one month; 2. The month the sanction will be effective; and 3. The name and telephone number of the person to contact for information on what the noncompliant member must do to comply. C. The Department shall impose the sanction effective for the first possible benefit month, allowing for 10-day notice of adverse action. D. The Department shall not impose the above penalties on TPEP assistance units but shall follow the steps below: 1. The Department shall notify the TPEP assistance unit of benefit withholding or case closure when: a. Benefits will be withheld or the case closed because of noncompliance with the requirements of R6-12- 311, R6-12-312, R6-12-313(C), and R6-12-314; and b. The assistance unit’s benefits are not currently being withheld. 2. The Department shall notify the Assistance unit that: a. The TPEP benefit checks will be withheld until the noncompliant person has completed a new work cycle in compliance; b. The name and telephone number of the person to contact for information on how to comply; c. That when three checks have been withheld in any six-month period, the Department will close the TPEP case.