3410 Provisions Specific to TANF - Total payments for support services and Education/Job Skills Training/Vocational Education activity costs are calculated per TANF client per 12-month period. The 12-month period starts the month in which the first payment is authorized and is not affected by breaks in eligibility. Payments for Contracted Employment Services are not included.

 

Support services are available for mandatory and exempt TANF applicants and recipients.  In addition to support services for participation in ES activities, transportation and Special Services Allowances may also be available to mandatory/voluntary cash eligible clients who lose cash eligibility. See 3410.7 for specific requirements when authorizing a support service payment for clients receiving transitional services.

 

TANF applicants who obtain employment while in applicant status may be eligible for transportation and Special Services Allowance if there is an identified need for employment related services (i.e., purchase of uniforms, transportation, car repair, etc.).

 

TANF applicants participating in Job Search/Job Readiness may be given a transportation allowance payment using the Job Search/Job Readiness activity. The payment will be based on the applicant’s need.  

 

Support Services are intended for the client’s immediate needs and if not used will age off the client’s Kansas Benefits card after three months. If the client requests that the aged-off payment be reissued, the career navigator will determine if an immediate need exists and whether it is appropriate to reissue a support payment to the Kansas Benefits card.  

 

3410.1 Case Management Services for TANF - Case Management Services and Contracted Employment Services may be made available up to 12 months following the loss of cash assistance due to employment. See 3410.7 for specific requirements when authorizing a support service for clients receiving transitional services.

 

3410.2 Transportation for TANF - Since transportation is cited by many clients as a major barrier to finding and keeping employment, ongoing communication with the client regarding transportation issues and resources is essential. Designated DCF staff are encouraged to establish and maintain communication with the Coordinated Transit District in their Region. This will ensure that the public transportation providers who receive federal and state funding are made aware of the transportation needs of individuals looking for and maintaining employment. Transportation allowances for TANF clients are available to support activities, including employment. Transportation for any activity shall be based on need.

 

More than one transportation allowance may be approved as needed when a TANF client is involved in more than one approved activity (including employment). For TANF clients who lose cash eligibility, the transportation allowance is available during the 12 months following the loss of cash assistance if the client is employed in the month for which the payment is issued.

 

Transportation allowance is available for employment related needs of TANF applicants who obtain employment while in applicant status and the application for cash assistance is denied. Payment of transportation for employment related needs of these denied TANF applicants is limited to authorization in the month of TANF application and the month following the month of application.

 

3410.3  Special Services for TANF - This allowance should be used to obtain goods and services (except transportation) needed to participate in an approved activity. This allowance is also available for expenses or needs related to accepting or maintaining employment for employed individuals. For TANF clients who lose cash eligibility, the Special Services Allowance is available to cover expenses during the first twelve months following the loss of cash assistance. See 3410.7 for specific requirements when authorizing a support service payment for clients receiving transitional services.

 

NOTE: This allowance should not be used to pay fines resulting from civil and legal judgments. The Special Services Allowance shall not be used to pay for work site injury costs that exceed the allowed Medicaid rate.

 

NOTE: Examples of services and/or items that may be purchased with this allowance include: uniforms, eyeglasses, vehicle repairs, and the billed rate for cosmetic procedures not covered by Medicaid.

 

  1. Vehicle Purchase - The Special Services Allowance may also be used to purchase a vehicle. Vehicle purchase shall be considered only when public transportation is not available or is inadequate to meet the client's transportation needs. All available transportation options must be thoroughly explored prior to authorizing a vehicle purchase. Documentation to substantiate the need for the vehicle purchase must be included in the case file.

    1. All vehicle purchases must be approved by an ES Program Administrator or their designee.

    2. Only one vehicle purchase per life-time is allowed. In rare and extenuating circumstances exceptions may be approved by the ES Program Administrator.

    3. Only moderately priced vehicles may be purchased. The selling price of the vehicle must be equal to or lower than the Kelley Blue Book or NADA suggested retail value.

      NOTE: A vehicle purchased directly by the state of Kansas for a client is not exempt from Kansas sales taxes. Prior authorization is required for vehicles with a purchase price of $5,000 or over.

      Exception: Vehicles purchased through the Department of Corrections, State Surplus Property Division do not require prior authorization.

    4. Prior to purchase, vehicles must receive a vehicle repair/safety inspection conducted by a mechanic who does not represent the purchase source. The maximum payment for an inspection is limited to $150 per vehicle. Charges more than $150 must receive supervisory approval. A copy of the inspection report must be obtained for the case file. Suggested repair work must be negotiated in the vehicle purchase price to ensure repairs are completed in a timely manner to prevent the occurrence of major breakdowns.

      Exception: Vehicles purchased through the Department of Corrections, State Surplus Property Division do not require an inspection.

    5. The client for whom vehicle purchase is being considered must possess a valid Kansas driver's license. Verification of the license validity must be obtained from Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) records.

    6. The client's driving record must be reviewed using KDOR records. If the client has been cited for a major driving violation the career navigator shall determine with the client that the barrier has been resolved prior to vehicle purchase.

    7. KDOR records must be reviewed for indications of the client's insurability. Plans for a minimum of six months insurance coverage shall be in place at the time of vehicle purchase.

    8. The vehicle is to be titled in the client's name only or if married in the name of the client and spouse.

    9. KDOR records must be reviewed to determine if other vehicles are registered in the client's name. If the client does own another vehicle the case file shall contain documentation to substantiate why the vehicle is not being utilized, used as a trade in or disposed of in an appropriate manner.

    10. A written Statement of Understanding (ES-4313) signed by the client must be maintained in the case file.

  2. Guidelines for Vehicle Repair - Prior to authorizing a payment for vehicle repair the following items shall be considered and documented in the case file:

    1. Is the vehicle registered in the client's name?

    2. Is the vehicle currently insured?

    3. Does the client have a valid driver's license?

  3. Relocation for Employment and/or Approved Job Skills Training, Vocational Education Allowance - TANF clients who move to accept a verified job offer or maintain full-time employment (working a minimum of 30 hours weekly, and receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours) or to participate in approved Job Skills Training/Vocational Education may be eligible for a maximum $2000.00 relocation allowance. This allowance may be used to pay rent, deposits (utilities and rent), moving van rentals, and mileage for moving expenses. Payments must only be made for verified expenses and that verification must be included in the case file. This allowance is limited to a maximum $2000.00 per employment relocation and $2000.00 per approved Job Skills Training/Vocational Education relocation per client during a 12-month period.

    This allowance may be authorized during the first 12 months of cash ineligibility for TANF clients. See 3410.7 for specific requirements when authorizing a support service payment for clients receiving transitional services.

  4. Work Assessment Reimbursement Allowance - TANF clients may be compensated for the time at a work site to assess current skills.

    The Work Assessment Reimbursement Allowance is exempt income for all programs.

    A special service allowance is available for employment related needs of TANF applicants who obtain employment while in applicant status and the application for cash assistance is denied. Payment for employment related needs of these denied TANF applicants is limited to authorization in the month of TANF application and the month following the month of application.

3410.4  Child Care Services for TANF - TANF clients participating in an Employment Services activity may be eligible for Child Care Services. Child care plan hours authorization should correspond with expected hours of work program activity.

See 2831 for child care needed to support former TANF clients who are not employed but will be receiving Transitional Services.

3410.5 Education/Job Skills Training/Vocational Education Activity Costs for TANF - Activity costs which are related to an approved Education/Job Skills Training/Vocational Education activity (such as tuition, books/fees, related costs, necessary supplies and uniforms), may be paid for Employment Service participants. Payment of these costs is also available to TANF recipients who have lost cash eligibility for up to 12 months following the loss of cash assistance.

See 3410.7 for specific requirements when authorizing a support service payment for clients receiving transitional services. Payment for these activity costs should be made to the vendor.

Funding for tuition, books, fees, mandatory supplies (required for specific course), and uniforms should be used only when other funding is not available or is not adequate to meet the total Education/ Job Skills/ Vocational Education Training costs. Clients should not be encouraged to obtain student loans.

 

NOTE: Costs for a class from an accredited or non-accredited facility or individual may be established in a provider agreement and be paid with Contracted Employment funding.

 

In order to promote job advancement, education/job skills training/ vocational education activity costs should be available for TANF clients for 12 months following the loss of cash assistance. Support services should also be available to support these activities.

3410.6  Contracted Employment Services for TANF - The Fiscal Services Unit may establish local provider agreements to provide additional or more intensive employment services to ES participants. Payment for these services shall be made according to the amount authorized in the agreement between the agency and the provider. Refer to the EES Contracted Employment Services Handbook for details on services available and procedures.

 

Contracted employment services may be provided for Employment Service participants. Contracted Employment education, training, and Job Retention Services may be available up to 12 months following the loss of cash assistance. Also, contracted employment services may be provided to TANF applicants on a case-by-case basis.

 

3410.7 Transitional Services for TANF - There is eligibility for ES support services (transportation and Special Services Allowance), Education/Job Skills Training/Vocational Education activity costs and contracted employment services for up to 12 months following the loss of TANF cash eligibility for the individual or the case. Support service payments may be issued to vendors during the 12-month period. Support services may only be issued directly to the client during this 12-month period if the client is employed in the month for which the support service is issued. Payments to the client are not to be authorized prior to the month for which they are intended during this period. Payments to the client will not be authorized after the month for which they are intended as this would be considered a reimbursement.


Eligibility for support services is limited to cases that are discontinued for any reason other than:

 


The client should be placed in transitional status for the work programs block when the TANF cash case or the client's TANF cash eligibility is discontinued for any reason except for the closure reasons noted above.

 

The 12-month period of available extended services will be tracked by the system. The Scheduled End Date of the activity is the last day of the 12th month.

 

The TANF Work Program block may be discontinued if the client requests case closure anytime during the 12 months of extended services.


The decision to approve payments following the loss of cash eligibility should be made on a case-by-case basis and documented in the case file.

 

NOTE: The 12-month period of extended services is not available in situations where the TANF client is exempt from work related requirements, is not a volunteer for work programs, and continues to be eligible for cash assistance. In these situations, the work program block should be discontinued. This includes caretaker relatives who voluntarily remove themselves from the TANF case but remain eligible to receive TANF for the child.