Definitions Which Are Applicable for Benefit Programs Funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant

PURPOSE: This rule provides the definition of terms which are applicable to the Temporary Assistance program funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant. (1) Agent. Any entity acting on behalf of the division under a contract or memorandum of understanding. (2) Assistance. Every form of support provided to participants and their families under the Temporary Assistance (TA) program, including child care, work subsidies, and allowances to meet living expenses. Assistance does not include the cash diversion program in 13 CSR 40-2.480; services that have no direct monetary value to an individual family and that do not involve implicit or explicit income support, such as counseling, case management, peer support, and employment services that do not involve subsidies or other forms of income support; or one- (1-) time, short-term assistance authorized by a representative of the Family Support Division as part of an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) under 13 CSR 40-2.370(2), including assistance to pay for automobile repairs to retain employment and avoid welfare receipt, and appliance repair to maintain living arrangements. (3) Community service programs. Structured programs and embedded activities in which TA recipients perform work for the direct benefit of the community under the auspices of public or nonprofit organizations. Community service programs must be limited to projects that serve a useful community purpose in fields such as health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, and child care. (4) Division. The Family Support Division of the Department of Social Services of the State of Missouri, or its agent. (5) Household. A family that includes: (A) Eligible children under the age of eighteen (18); or (B) Eligible children who are age eighteen (18) and in secondary school or the equivalent vocational or technical school, if they are expected to graduate before turning age nineteen (19); and (C) The natural or adoptive parents of one (1) or more of the eligible children; or (D) Any needy non-parent caretaker relative or unrelated guardian of one (1) or more of the eligible children, if there are no natural or adoptive parents in the home. The non-parent caretaker relative or the guardian, if found to be eligible for inclusion, may exclude themselves from the assistance group. (6) Investigation. A review conducted by the division to determine that a participant is not cooperating with a work participation activity requirement. The investigation may include a telephone or personal contact with the participant at the discretion of the division. (7) Participant. Any individual who has applied for, or is receiving, or has been denied, TA benefits or services administered by the Family Support Division. (8) Temporary Assistance (TA). The division’s program for the provision of any public assistance funded in whole or part directly through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant, section 603 of Title 42, United States Code and Parts 260– 284 of Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations. (9) Satisfactory attendance at a secondary school, provided that the participant has not already completed secondary school. Regular attendance, in accordance with the requirements of the secondary school or course of study, at a secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate. This activity must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily. (10) Work activities that any participant seeking TA shall engage in unless exempt include: (A) Unsubsidized employment; (B) Subsidized private sector employment; (C) Subsidized public sector employment; (D) Work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available; (E) On-the-job training; (F) Job search and job readiness assistance; (G) Community service programs; (H) Vocational educational training (not to exceed twelve (12) months with respect to any participant); (I) Job skills training directly related to employment; (J) Education directly related to employment for participants who have not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (K) Satisfactory attendance at a secondary school provided that the participant has not already completed secondary school; and (L) Providing child care services to a participant who is involved in a community service program. (11) Subsidized Public Sector Employment. Employment in the public sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from TA or other public funds to offset some, or all, of the wages and costs of employing a recipient. (12) Subsidized Private Sector Employment. Employment in the private sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from TA or other public funds to offset some, or all, of the wages and costs of employing a recipient. (13) Vocational educational training. Organized educational programs that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring training other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree. Vocational educational training must be supervised on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily. (14) Work Experience. A work activity, performed in return for TA, that provides an individual with an opportunity to acquire the general skills, training, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain employment. (15) Unsubsidized employment. Full- or parttime employment in the public or private sector that is not subsidized by TA or any other public program. AUTHORITY: section 207.022, RSMo Supp. 2014, and section 208.026, RSMo Supp. 2015.* Emergency rule filed Feb. 18, 1998, effective March 1, 1998, terminated Aug. 10, 1998. Original rule filed Jan. 16, 1998, effective Aug. 1, 1998. Emergency amendment filed Aug. 18, 2015, effective Aug. 28, 2015, expired Feb. 23, 2016. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2015, effective April 30, 2016. *Original authority: 207.022, RSMo 2014 and 208.026, RSMo 2015.