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3.6 Non-compliance Sanction Policy

The Non-Compliance Sanction Policy section is divided in three separate sub-sections:

3.6.3 Non-Compliance Sanction Reapplications

3.6.3.1 Can a person reapply for WorkFirst cash assistance after non-compliance sanction case closure?

Yes. A person may reapply for WorkFirst cash assistance or State Family Assistance by filing a new application. He or she will need to participate for 4 weeks in a row before they get cash. The sanctioned family may be eligible for CEAP while they meet the participation requirement (see Section 3.6.3.2).

If a person has had three NCS case closures, they will be permanently disqualified from receiving TANF/SFA benefits.  If a person with three or more NCS closures reapplies for TANF/SFA, their application will be denied.  Please refer to section 3.6.4 – Permanent TANF Disqualification. 

3.6.3.2 Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) for non-compliance sanction case closures.

Persons closed for non-compliance sanction (NCS) may qualify for CEAP. They are eligible to apply for CEAP under the same rules as other applicants.

To determine eligibility and authorize benefits follow the CEAP eligibility and procedures described under WAC 388-436-0015 .

3.6.3.3 What if a person reapplies before their case is closed?

A person may choose to reapply before the non-compliance sanction (NCS) end date. If so, the intake worker will accept the application and track it in DMS. The intake worker will not be able to input the application into ACES until the first of the following month. They will, however, refer the person to WorkFirst staff right away so the person can begin to meet their 4-week participation requirement immediately.

When we receive the referral from the intake worker, the WorkFirst Program Specialist (WFPS) or WorkFirst Social Service Specialist (WFSSS) will decide whether the person is able to participate.

3.6.3.4 How do I decide and track applicant's participation requirements?

When an application is filed after the NCS termination, the intake worker:

Once that decision is made, the WFPS or SSS will let the intake worker know so they can update the application pend letter as needed. Once the person is in pending status, they will appear on the 'NCS Reapplicant report' on the Caseload Management Report. Only the person who caused the termination will appear on the report.

The person must participate, if able, for four weeks in a row (28 consecutive days) before they will be eligible for cash benefits.

If the person is able to participate

If both parents in a 2-parent household were refusing to participate and caused their case to be closed, both parents will need to meet the 28-day participation requirement. The application will not be approved until both parents meet this requirement.

The day the WFPS or WFSSS interviews the person counts as day one of participation. Excused absences count towards meeting the 28-day requirement. You can also credit any uninterrupted participation in month 4 up to the end of the month towards meeting the 4-week participation requirement.

A comprehensive evaluation must be done every time a person reapplies for benefits. Credit is given for the time spent completing the comprehensive evaluation towards the person's 4-week participation requirement. After the CE is completed, the person must be referred to other approved activities until the full 4 weeks of participation is completed.

Tell the application intake worker when the four-week participation requirement is met. WorkFirst cash assistance benefits start on the date the person met all other eligibility factors.

3.6.3.5 What if the person stops participating?

When you are told that an applicant has stopped participating, tell the intake worker so they can deny the application. Tell the applicant to contact WorkFirst staff if they want a reconsideration of the denied application. The WFPS or WFSSS finds out if there was a good reason for interrupting participation.

Good reason may be granted if the person is determined unable to perform the required WorkFirst activities or if there are significant barriers outside their control which prevented participation as described under WAC 388-310-1600(3). Issues that may be considered good reason are:

Non-participation because of unexcused absences will not be considered good reason unless there is a significant circumstance outside the person's control (such as family violence or hospitalization). This circumstance must make it impossible for the person to call in to show a good reason for stopping the 4-week participation.

If the WFPS or WFSSS decides good reason exists, the request is approved and the person will be allowed to continue their participation where it left off. For example, a person stops participating on March 7th which is the 6th day of the 28-day period. On March 12th , it is determined that good reason exists and the person will start to participate again on March 15th . March 15th is now day 7 of participation of the 28-day period. The person must participate 4-weeks (28 days) regardless of the time it took to show good reason.

When you approve good reason, tell the application intake worker so they can rescreen the application, repend the case and apply Standard of Promptness (SOP) coding if applicable.

If the WFPS or SSS decides good reason does not exist, the request is denied. Tell the application intake worker so they can take action. The denial stands and the intake worker will send the denial letter with free form text.

If the WFPS or SSS decides that no participation is required and grants the person an exemption, tell the application intake worker. The intake worker will rescreen and approve the application if no further financial items are required to determine eligibility.

3.6.3.6 How is the application approved?

Tell the application intake worker when the applicant meets the participation requirement and remove the SA or SN code from eJAS. The intake worker approves the application back to the date financial eligibility was met.

3.6.3.7 What if a person is reopened and the person stops participating again?

Follow the sanction or NCS process; but the person will have only four months to complete four weeks of participation the case may be closed again.

After following the sanction guidelines of section 3.6.1- Entering Sanction the WFPS or WFSSS must:

3.6.3.8 NCS Reapplication - Step-by-step guide

The intake application worker refers applicants who have been closed by a supervisor or designee to meet a 4-week WorkFirst participation requirement. Once the person is in pending status, they will appear on the 'NCS Reapplicant report' on the Caseload Management Report. Only the person who caused the termination will appear on the report.

Once the referral is received, the WFPS or WFSSS:

  1. Decides if the person is able to participate.
    1. If the person cannot participate, they tell the intake application worker so the application can be pended for financial eligibility or approved.
    2. If the person reapplies before the NCS termination effective date and cannot participate, notify the intake worker, lift the sanction and restore the grant effective the first of the following month per 3.6.1.10.
    3. If the person can participate, the WFSSS or WFSSS:
      1. Schedules a CE.
      2. Develops an IRP.
      3. Approves needed supports.
      4. Tracks participation.
      5. Tells the intake worker the estimated date the person will complete participation.
  2. Decides if there is good reason if the person stops participating as required and tells the intake worker of the results. If the person:
    1. Is no longer able to participate, they will only need to meet financial eligibility.
    2. Has good reason, they will pick up participation where it left off until the 28-day requirement is met.
    3. Does not have good reason, the application denial will stand.
  3. Adjusts eJAS once all participation and financial eligibility criteria are met by removing the SA or SN code.

Resources

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For more information about the WorkFirst HandBook, contact Sandy Jsames, WorkFirst Program Manager.