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:
To assist Louisiana families in becoming economically self–reliant so that their dependence on government benefits for basic needs is minimized, the department implemented the STEP Program effective October 1, 2003, so that all cash assistance recipients, with certain exceptions, are actively engaged in meaningful activities designed to enable their transition from cash assistance to self–reliance. It is further intended that cash assistance recipients demonstrate active and diligent personal responsibility in achieving self–reliance through employment and increased workplace literacy. All appropriate state agencies responsible for employment, training, and educating Louisiana’s citizens are expected to cooperate in the pursuit of this goal.
Work-eligible members of cash assistance programs are required to participate in STEP activities.
Work-eligible recipients shall participate in appropriate work activities as agreed upon in the Family Success Agreement. Work-eligible is defined as families containing an adult under 60 years of age, or teen head of household that is not disabled, incapacitated, or caring for a family member who is disabled or incapacitated as documented by a medical expert to which the status of disability is clearly established and explained. Work-eligible excludes cases in which only the child portion of need that is unrelated to a sanction or penalty, known as a child only case, is considered in determining eligibility.
The work activities may include but are not limited to:
Unsubsidized employment;
Subsidized employment;
Unpaid work experience;
On-the-job training;
Job search/job readiness;
Vocational education;
Satisfactory attendance at a secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of recipients who have not completed secondary schools or received a certificate;
Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency;
Job skills training directly related to employment;
Community service; and
The provision of child care to an individual who is participating in community service. Participants who are found not to possess basic workplace or basic literacy skills, as determined by an assessment, shall combine employment and job readiness and job search activities with activities designed to increase their basic and workplace literacy skills.