Supported Work Component

The Supported Work Component provides education, training, employment and support services that an individual needs to obtain and maintain employment. This component consists of Pre-worksite training and Worksite placement. Participation is subject to available program resources, the individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP) and the criteria in 106 CMR 707.160(A)(2) and (B). (A) Pre-worksite Training. A participant in Pre-worksite training may engage in the following activities to prepare him or her to obtain and maintain employment. (1) Activities may include, but are not limited to: (a) orientation; (b) assessment; (c) job search training; (d) job retention strategies; (e) resume preparation; (f) job development and placement services; and (g) other job related training such as vocational skills training, English for Employment and basic literacy instruction. (2) Participation Criteria. The following are the criteria for participation in Pre-worksite training: (a) a participant shall be an active client as determined by the Department; (b) an individual may participate in a Pre-worksite training on a full-time or part-time basis but the training program must be scheduled for at least 20 hours of activity per week; and (c) the participant must attend the scheduled hours per week, unless good cause applies as defined by 106 CMR 701.380: Good Cause Criteria. (B) Worksite Placement. (1) A participant who has completed at least 40 hours of Pre-worksite training shall participate in Worksite employment. An eligible Worksite participant shall engage in a highly supervised, subsidized or unsubsidized job placement at a public or private sector worksite. (2) The following are the criteria for participation in Worksite employment: (a) the Department requires at least 30 hours full-time work participation on a Worksite job; or (b) if 30 hours of Worksite work is not available, full-time participation can be a combination of training or education programs offered by the Supported Work contractor and a minimum of 20 hours of work at a Worksite. (3) TAFDC eligibility for Worksite participants shall be determined by considering the following: (a) an individual who is participating in Worksite employment shall be paid by the Supported Work contractor, if it is a subsidized placement, or by the Worksite employer, if it is an unsubsidized placement; (b) wages received through Worksite employment are countable earned income; and (c) the grant of a Worksite participant shall be calculated in accordance with 106 CMR 704.500: Calculation of the Grant Amount. However, if the participant's financial eligibilty for TAFDC ends because the participant's Worksite earnings are increased, the TAFDC case will stay as active, but with a "zero" TAFDC payment amount, as long as the participant works at the Worksite Placement. The participant and all members of the assistance unit shall be considered to be receiving TAFDC.