3420 Provisions Specific to GOALS - Support services are available for GOALS participants. In addition to support services for participation in ES activities, Special Services Allowances may also be available for 4 consecutive months.
All payments made through the GOALS program must be made directly to a vendor. No funds are to be made directly to a client’s EBT card.
3420.1 Case Management Services for GOALS - Case Management Services and Contracted Employment Services are available for as long as the client receives food assistance and continues to participate in GOALS.
3420.2 Transportation for GOALS - No transportation service funds can be issued to the client.
3420.3 Special Services for GOALS - Payments must deal with a specific crisis or need and cannot extend beyond four months. These are non-recurrent short-term benefits and are not intended to meet recurrent or ongoing needs.
This allowance should be used to obtain goods and services (except transportation services) needed to participate in an approved activity. In addition, this allowance is also available for expenses or needs related to accepting or maintaining employment.
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. 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.
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.
All vehicle purchases must be approved by an ES Program Administrator or their designee.
Only one vehicle purchase per life-time is allowed. In rare and extenuating circumstances exceptions may be approved by the ES Program Administrator.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The vehicle is to be titled in the client's name only or if married in the name of the client and spouse.
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.
A written Statement of Understanding (ES-4313) signed by the client must be maintained in the case file.
Guidelines for Vehicle Repair - Prior to authorizing a payment for vehicle repair the following items shall be considered and documented in the case file:
Is the vehicle registered in the client's name?
If not, is the vehicle the only resource available to meet the client's transportation needs?
Is the vehicle currently insured?
Does the client have a valid driver's license?
Relocation for Employment and/or Approved Job Skills Training, Vocational Education Allowance - GOALS 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.
3420.4 Child Care Services for GOALS - GOALS 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.
3420.5 Education/Job Skills Training/Vocational Education Activity Costs for GOALS - Education and training related payments are considered non-recurrent short-term benefits if the client is not employed and cannot extend beyond four months. Education and training related payments can extend beyond four months if the client is employed.
Activity costs that 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 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.
3420.6 Contracted Employment Services for GOALS - 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.
3420.7 Transitional Services for GOALS - GOALS Clients are not eligible for transitional services. All support services for GOALS clients will end when the food assistance case ends or when the client ceases to participate in the GOALS program.