COUNTY OF VENTURA HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY CALWORKS PROGRAM

Transcription

1 COUNTY OF VENTURA HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY CALWORKS PROGRAM DATE: 05/30/12 POLICY SUBJECT: Determining duration and type of services and, the reimbursement rate for services for former recipients (Retention) REGULATION: If provided in the County plan, the CWD (County Welfare Department) may provide Job Retention (Post-Aid) services to employed former CalWORKs (CW) recipients for a period of up to 12 months. The purpose of job retention services is to assist former recipients to retain or advance in current employment, train to obtain a better job, or accept new employment. Child care shall be available to former recipients for up to two years from the date the recipient leaves cash aid. Referrals to other resources are also available. If the County decides to offer Job Retention (Post Aid) services to former recipients, the county may establish eligibility criteria for those services. If additional criteria are established, they must be reflected in the County Plan. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: An eligible Job Retention (Post-Aid) client is a former CalWORKs client who received cash aid for at least one month during the last 12 months, and is currently a resident of Ventura County. Clients who are excluded from CalWORKs by law (fleeing felons and convicted drug felons) are NOT eligible for Job Retention services. Job Retention (Post-Aid) services are available for up to 12 months from the first of the month following the date cash aid was discontinued, and ends the last day of the 12 th month. Retroactive payments for Job Retention (Post-Aid) services are not permitted. Requests for Job Retention services are authorized back to the first day in the month in which services are requested. Individuals meeting the eligibility criteria for Job Retention Page 1 of 6

2 services may receive the following support services: Transportation Expenses (mileage reimbursement at.31/mile, or bus pass) Child Care (Referrals to Child Development Resources) for Stage II childcare Work clothing/uniform requests Work-related expenses Classes to increase employability/advancements Referrals to other resources (Community Based Organizations) Requests for Job Retention services may be made through the CalWORKs Eligibility or Employment Services worker. Individuals may continue to receive Job Retention Services for the specific time indicated as long as the services provided are: Not provided by the employer Not available from other sources Needed to retain employment or to advance to new employment that may provide greater income or better benefits BUSINESS PROCESS: It is important to respond to all inquiries and requests for Job Retention services in a timely manner. The WTW Supportive Services Informing Notification ( ) is sent to all clients who are discontinued from cash aid and are working at the time of discontinuance. The case assignment process for Job Retention services is as follows: Former CalWORKs recipients requesting Job Retention (Post Aid) services shall be referred to the previous ES worker assigned to the WTW case before the recipient was discontinued due to earnings/employment. The assigned ES Worker is responsible for processing all Job Retention Service requests. This includes determining eligibility, monitoring the eligibility period, providing services and Page 2 of 6

3 appropriately notifying individuals of any changes. The ES Worker will also complete the following steps for individuals who have been discontinued from CalWORKs due to earnings/employment: Verify the CalWWORKs case is discontinued due to employment of the former recipient Close WTW plans and activities Send transmittal to Child Development Resources (CDR) to notify of CW discontinuance date and request Stage II child care transfer Send participant the following information on availability of Job Retention services, and a 10-day deadline to sign forms (noted by asterisk): 1. WTW Supportive Services Informing Notification ( )* 2. Consent for Release of Information ( )* 3. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Flyer When an individual makes a request for Job Retention services, the ES worker shall complete the following steps: Determine eligibility for services Obtain individual s signature on the WTW Supportive Services Information Notification and Consent for Release of Information Authorize Job Retention services in CalWIN Send appropriate Notice of Action (NOA) at the appropriate timeframe Document case comments Types of Job Retention Services Mileage Reimbursement: Participants who have a motor vehicle available to them (owned or borrowed) and choose to drive to their assigned activity, may be reimbursed for their mileage through the mileage claim process. The vehicle must currently be Page 3 of 6

4 registered and insured in the participant s name, or in the case of a borrowed vehicle, in the name of the vehicle owner with written permission for the participant to use the vehicle. The CalWORKs Daily Transportation Log ( ) serves as the reimbursement claim form. The must be submitted by the participant to HSA (Human Services Agency) no later than the last day of the month after the month in which the participant is requesting reimbursement. All mileage claims must be submitted by the end of the month following the month for which the participant is requesting reimbursement services, to be considered for payment. Bus Pass: Participants who do not have access to a vehicle to go to their assigned WTW activity/ies may choose to take the bus. Bus passes and tokens are available at the Job & Career Center and may be requested from the Employment Specialist or Client Benefit Specialist by completing the Bus Token Request Form ( ). Bus passes, tokens or a smart card are available with the following companies: South Coats Area Transit (SCAT) Ventura County Transportation Center (VISTA) Simi Valley Transit Participants must not be required to travel more than two hours per day (round trip) to participate in an assigned WTW activity, excluding the time necessary to transport family members to school or child care. If travel time is more than two hours, this would be considered good cause for not participating. Eligibility for WTW paid transportation stops when the participant is no longer participating in an approved WTW activity. Clothing/Uniforms Requests related to Employment: Verification of clothing/uniform needs must be obtained from the current employer in order to consider the request for clothing/uniforms. Work-Related Expenses: Work-related expenses must be related to the current employment, or employment enhancement opportunity. Verification of the work-related expense (license, fees, etc.) must be obtained from the employer, along with Page 4 of 6

5 reasons for the requested item. Classes to increase employability or advancement: Employment enhancement through educational opportunities must be applicable to the participant s current job, or potential of employment advancement. Verification of the required coursework must be obtained from the employer for consideration. Employment Follow-Up Employment follow-up is required in order to monitor the clients retention and to compile data required by State/Federal mandates. The assigned ES worker will conduct employment follow up 90 days from the discontinuance of cash aid during the Job Retention/Post Aid implementation. The employment follow-up can be obtained by any of the following: Contacting the client at home by phone Contacting the client at work, if allowable Contacting the employer if a release has been signed Current check stubs obtained QR7 Information from the Eligibility Worker Viewing income in CalWIN Early Termination of Job Retention (Post Aid) Services The Job Retention period may be terminated prior to the end of the 12 th month, if the client re-applies and is eligible for CalWORKs cash aid benefits. Clients who re-apply for cash aid within the Post Aid period must be referred to an Employment Services Orientation, if there is a 30-day break in aid. INFORMING REQUIREMENTS: The County shall adopt written policies determining the duration and types of, and, when applicable, the reimbursement rate for those services. Page 5 of 6

6 Forms and Notices: Job Retention Informing Letter ( ) Required to inform former CW recipients of Job Retention services, and shall be sent when the CalWORKs case is discontinued. WTW Supportive Services Informing Notification ( ) This informing notice is required to inform individuals of Job Retention policy changes and shall be sent to individuals when requesting Job Retention services. Individuals are requested to sign and return form. Consent for Release of Information ( ) - This form is used to request individual s authorization for consent for release of information to partner and community agencies. Approved/Deny Job Retention Services (M42-717A) Notice of Action (NOA) required to approve/deny requests for Job Retention Services. This NOA is required for each Job Retention Service request made during the 12-month period. Discontinuance Job Retention Services (M42717B) Notice of Action required to discontinue Job Retention services at the end of the 12 month period. Discontinuance Last Month, Job Retention Services (M42717C) - Notice of Action required to inform individuals that their Job Retention services will be ending the following month. The NOA shall be sent in the eleventh month of the 12-month period. REFERENCES: MPP , ACL 97-72, 00-12, Page 6 of 6