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DE TANF - Contract of Mutual Responsibility

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) caretaker enters into a Contract of Mutual Responsibility (CMR) with theDivision of Social Services (DSS). The Contract specifies self-sufficiency components such as, but not limited to:

·      Employment, Training and/or Education activities;

·      Cooperation in securing child support;

·      School attendance requirements;

·      Family planning;

·      Parenting education classes;

·      Substance abuse treatment; and

·      Immunization requirements.

The CMR also specifies the Supportive Services to be supplied to the family by DSS. DSS must ensure that specified services are available to the recipient. If the services are not available, the recipient should not be sanctioned. Instead, the CMR should be modified to reflect that the service is unavailable at that time.

For example, if a recipient was directed to seek substance abuse treatment on an in-patient level, but a bed was not available, that part of the Contract would be suspended until a bed became open.

NOTE: In cases where domestic violence is involved, DSS may be modify or suspend relevant parts of the CMR in order to ensure the safety of the participants. See DSS Policy Manual 3010.2.5.

The Contract should be individualized to the specific needs and situation of each family. Therefore, the exact requirements within each Contract may vary from family to family. This document should be revised as the needs and the situation of the family evolve.

In establishing and enforcing the Contract, the DSS worker has primary responsibility for ensuring that clients understand what is expected of them. While sanctions will be imposed for failure to meet the expectations of the Contract, the intended result of the sanction process is to convince clients of the need to cooperate. An important element of the process is "coaching" the client to transcend any barriers to meeting Contract expectations.

See also:

DE TANF - Pay-After-Performance Work Experience

DE TANF - Employment and Training - Education Possibilities

DE TANF - Employment and Training - Supportive Services

DE TANF - Sanctions for Non-cooperation

DE TANF - Time Limits

DE DSS - Application Procedures

DE DSS - Change Reporting Requirements

DE DSS - Contact Information

Source:

DSS Policy Manual (Sect. 3009)

Back to:

DE TANF Employment and Training Overview

DE TANF Overview

DE General Assistance Overview

DE Division of Social Services - Overview

DE Benefit Information System Overview

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