0603 Economic and Employment Support (EES)

 

PPS staff should have knowledge of DCF resources and economic assistance programs which may be available to persons having PPS involvement.  PPS staff should refer families with whom they are working to EES when it is identified that a family needs income support. 

 

1. EES Programs

EES staff have eligibility determination expertise which they can share with PPS staff regarding the following programs: 

 

1. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (cash assistance for families)
2. Elderly and Disabled Medical Assistance (E and D)
3. Child Care subsidy payments (necessary for employment or education)
4. Food Assistance (SNAP)
5. Work  Program Services  (job training, job search and related employment assistance)
6. Low Income Energy Assistance Program, LIEAP (helps pay heating and cooling bills)

 

EES staff work closely with Child Support Services (CSS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) staff, giving EES the ability to direct low income persons to even more resources.  CSS collections or SSA benefits can stabilize an otherwise unstable, low income family.  The income support options listed here can be vital to PPS staff helping a family achieve reintegration or some other planned permanency goal.

2. Cooperation with Work Related Requirements 

To comply with changes resulting from welfare reform, Kansas DCF has implemented policies which provide for sanctions when persons fail to meet work related requirements for refugee, case assistance and food assistance.  PPS, CSS and EES staff must share information and the EES supervisor must review the case circumstances before a penalty is applied. This is required for first time and subsequent penalties on TANF, but not food assistance.

 

 

1. Description of Penalties

Penalties are utilized only when customers have clearly chosen not to cooperate and the consequences are understood.  A minimum 10 day notice is required before a penalty action can occur.  See http://content.dcf.ks.gov/ees/KEESM/current/Home.htm

 

2. Good Cause

The EES worker must check with PPS to determine if the family has any PPS involvement that might support a "good cause" claim which created the family's non-cooperation.  If "good cause" for non-cooperation with program requirements is not established, then EES can proceed with a penalty. 

 

3. Notice of Penalty

Notices from EES will be sent to the client informing them of the penalty action.

 

4. Child in Need of Care

The fact that a family is under a penalty resulting in stoppage of benefits is not, in and of itself, a basis for making a child protection referral to PPS.  However, if CSS,  EES or other agency staff have reason to suspect a child is in need of care, a report shall be made.