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DE TANF Employment and Training - Overview

Delaware's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare reform effort is based on the idea that TANF is a transitional benefit and should not become a way of life. The Division of Social Services (DSS) maintains that the way for persons to avoid TANF dependency is for them to find and maintain employment.

Mandatory Participants and Exemptions

All adult caretakers and other adults in the assistance unit who are not exempt must participate in Employment and Training related activities.

The two exemptions are:

1) A parent caring for a child under 13 weeks of age; or

2) an individual determined unemployable by a health care professional.

Able-bodied children age 16 or older who are not attending school must participate in work or other alternative activities, e.g., GED.

Employment and Training Requirements

Clients must keep appointments with employment and training staff, cooperate in the development of the Employability Plan, and participate in employment and training activities.

Clients who have secured employment are expected to continue employment unless they have good cause for terminating a job.

Parents are expected to cooperate with school officials and other service providers in helping their child(ren) maintain satisfactory attendance. (See TANF Sanctions for Non-cooperation.

Activities that Count as Participation

The following employment-related activities count as participation:

·      Education, training and job search with the types and length of education, training and job search determined on an individual basis depending on age and other relevant factors;

·      For Individuals with Disabilities: Participation in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, including development and implementation of an Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP);

·      Substance Abuse Treatment program participation (active participation in Bridge Intervention Services (BIS) or other substance abuse treatment program identified by the State;

·      Pay-after-performance work experience, with the hours determined by dividing the benefits by the minimum wage, plus up to 10 hours of job search weekly;

·      Caring for family member with disability (other training, to increase home health care skills for example, may be required to fully satisfy the Employment and Training requirement);

·      Regular school attendance or appropriate alternative activity (e.g. training or employment) for dependent children and minor parents;

·      Job search may be required for applicants and recipients.

NOTE: See TANF Employment and Training - Education Possibilities for details on educational and training made possible by Senate Bill 101-1999.

Supportive Services

DSS provides Supportive Services, such as childcare and transportation as required to participate in employment and training activities. Assistance with other work-related expenses are also available. See TANF Employment and Training Supportive Services for details.

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 (Sects. 3006, 3006.1, & 3006.4)

Back to:

DE TANF Overview

DE General Assistance Overview

DE Division of Social Services - Overview

DE Benefit Information System Overview

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