Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
b. Require a Parent or Caretaker Receiving Assistance to Engage in Work (defined by the State) Once the State Determines the Parent or Caretaker is Ready to Engage in Work, or Once He or She Has Received 24 Months of Assistance, Whichever is Earlier, Consistent with the Child Care Exception at 407(e)(2) (section 402(a)(1)(a)(ii) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
In accordance with federal requirements, Arkansas requires parents and caretakers to engage in work as a condition of ongoing eligibility unless they are unable to do so due to one or more of the specific criteria outlined in our Exemptions/Deferrals policy. A non-parent adult caretaker who has chosen not to be included as an eligible member is not required to participate in work activities.
Minor parents are excluded from the employment requirement, however, they must be engaged in appropriate education or training programs.
The following individuals may be exempted or temporarily deferred from any work activity requirement:
• A parent caring for a child:
a. Under three (3) months of age; or
b. Between three (3) and twelve (12) months of age if child care for such child is not available.
Note: A parent may be exempted for this reason for a maximum of twelve (12) months in his or her adult lifetime.
• An individual with disabilities (parent or caregiver)
• A woman in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• A parent or caregiver who is caring for individuals with disabilities (child relative or adult relative) living in the home.
• A teen parent/head-of-household under the age of twenty (20) who maintains satisfactory attendance as a full-time student at a secondary school.
• An individual for who support services necessary to engage in a work activity are not available.
• An individual who is unable to participate in work activities due directly to the effects of domestic violence.
• An individual unable to participate in a work activity due to circumstances beyond his or her control.
• A parent or other adult caretaker who is over sixty-(60)-years of age.
The twenty-four (24) month time limit will not apply in any month in which an individual is exempt/deferred for any of the above reasons. In addition, the following individuals may receive an extension of the time limit:
• An individual who cooperated and participated in required activities but was unable to obtain employment because of circumstances beyond his or her control.
Time limit, particularly, but not limited to, cases in which it is necessary to protect the child from risk of neglect.
• Individuals participating in education and training activities who have reached the end of their twenty-four (24) month cumulative limit on financial assistance, have complied with all TEA requirements and are within six (6) months of completing their current education or training program However, the Local office can make an exception and provide an extension to the six months on a case-by case-basis.
Exemption or deferral from the twenty-four month time limit does not exempt an individual from the federal sixty-(60)-month time limit. Therefore, individuals who have reached the sixty-(60)-month time limit due to exemptions or deferrals from the twenty-four month time limit may receive an extension of the 60-month time limit if the individual meets one of the following hardship extension criteria:
a. The adult has a physical or mental impairment that is too severe for Rehabilitation services and the individual has been denied SSA/SSI disability through an appeal.
b. The adult is receiving services through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in a sheltered workshop and ARS has stated that is the extent of activities the individual can do.
c. The adult is receiving treatment through the Severe Barriers Project and the Severe Barriers Project team is providing case management services.
d. The adult has been, and continues to be, unable to participate in work activities due directly to the effects of domestic violence.
e. The adult was unable to participate in work activities due to circumstances beyond the adult’s control.