Department of Human Services: Chapter 3: Sections 3.11.5 thru 3.14
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PART VIII: CASE MAINTENANCE
 
CHAPTER 3: TANF REFERRAL PROCESSES

Failure to Comply 3.11.5
 
Failure to comply with POWER requirements, including design and adherence to treatment and training plans, disqualifies the recipient from the program.  The sanction is not applied, however, under POWER.  The benefit must be converted to TANF and the needs of the head of the household will be removed until compliance with POWER requirements or until active in a TANF work activity. Adequate and timely notice of the decision to end POWER eligibility and impose the sanction must be given to the recipient. The decision may be appealed by following the fair hearing process (see Chapter 7:  Grievances and Fair Hearings in this Part).  If the decision is appealed prior to the effective date of the conversion to TANF, eligibility under POWER must be continued until the appeal is resolved.

 
Sanctions and Good Cause 3.11.6
 
Good cause for failure to comply with POWER program requirements includes one or more of the following:
  • a properly verified illness or medical condition of the applicant/recipient or a member of his/her household that prevents the applicant/recipient from meeting requirements;
  • participation in self-sufficiency activities for a minimum average of  20 hours per week and the recipient has a child under six for whom s/he personally provides child care;
  • an extraordinary and unforseen circumstance beyond the control of the recipient verified to the satisfaction of the Department;  
  • applicant/recipient caring for a child who has special health needs (verified by competent medical evidence) that prevents the parent's participation in activities; or 
  • appropriate and affordable child care for a child under age six is not available within a reasonable distance from the applicant/recipient's home or work site.
 
REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (RSA)  3.12
 
The mission of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is to assist persons with mental and/or physical disabilities in becoming employed and/or to live independently in the home or community.  RSA provides an array of services toward vocational preparation for entrance into the labor market.  The services provided include but are not limited to counseling and guidance, assessment services, physical restoration, vocational training, job search and placement, and job retention services. 
 
RSA also provides services to POWER recipients (see Section 3.11:  Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility (POWER) in this Chapter).
 
Intake for RSA can be reached at (202) 442-8400.

 
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INITIATIVE FOR TANF (TAPIT)  3.13
 
OWO operates the TAPIT program, which is a scholarship program that helps eligible TANF recipients obtain a two or four year college degree at a local university or college. The primary outcome of the program is for graduates to enter or re-enter the workforce with higher skill levels in jobs with the potential for salary and career progression, thus reducing the chance of a need for future assistance.  TAPIT scholarships are based on the cost of attending the institution after other grants or loans received by the customer are deducted.  TAPIT will pay up to $4,000 per academic year to cover tuition, fees, and books at eligible institutions.
 
Candidates for TAPIT must meet the following requirements:
  • be a DC resident
  • hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
  • not hold a postsecondary degree
  • be accepted for enrollment in a two or four year degree program, and
  • be approved by OWO-TAPIT.
TAPIT participants must also participate in a federally-mandated work activity, unless exempt.
 
OWO can be reached at (202) 698-1860.
 
TEEN PARENT PROGRAM  3.14
 
The FSA has established a Teen Parent Program (TPAP) to address the particular needs of pregnant/parenting teens.  A pregnant or unmarried parenting teen who is under the age of 18 and not living at home with parents, a caretaker relative, or adult relative will be referred to FSA for assessment and development of a personal responsibility plan for independence if s/he is applying for or is in receipt of TANF benefits.  TPAP participates in case conferences, provides assessments to its participants, and certifies suitability of living arrangements for custodial parents under 18-years-old.
 
Teen parents under the age of 20 are also referred to the District of Columbia Public School's program, "New Heights". This program assists and monitors teen school attendance and/or participation in other work-related activities, including training or post-secondary education.
 
Teen parents may call (202) 645-3030 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment for orientation.
 
OECD can provide child care assistance to teen parents.
 
 
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