Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) and Unemployment Compensation 430-05-40-45

(Revised 06/01/04 ML2921)

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The following provisions apply to both BEST and non-BEST counties.

 

An individual in receipt of TANF or an individual in receipt of UIB is disqualified from the Food Stamp Program for failure to comply with JOBS or UIB requirements. Based on discussion with the State Job Service Office and requirements for receipt of unemployment benefits, there is no failure to comply with UIB requirements. The individual simply does not receive a benefit.

Exception:

If an individual is exempt from the Food Stamp work requirements for a reason other then receipt of TANF or UIB.

If an individual is sanctioned for TANF due to non-compliance with JOBS and they do not fully complete a 10-day proof of performance (POP) prior to or on the second to the last working day of the sanction penalty month, a TANF benefit must not be anticipated for the next month.  

 

If an individual fully completes a 10-day POP prior to or on the second to the last working day of a month, a TANF benefit must be anticipated for the next month.

 

Examples:

  1. An individual is scheduled to complete their 10-day proof of performance (POP) on August 28 (the second to the last working day of the month).  At 4:00 p.m. on August 28, the JOBS coordinator calls to inform the county that the client successfully completed their 10-day POP that day.  Because the client fully completed a 10-day POP prior to or on the second to the last working day of the month, a TANF benefit must be anticipated for the next month.  
  2. An individual is scheduled to complete their 10-day POP on August 29, (the last working day of the month).  Because the client has not fully completed a 10-day POP prior to or on the second to the last working day of the month, and the client may not be successful in completing the 10-day POP, a TANF benefit must not be anticipated for the next month.  
  3. An individual begins their 10-day POP on August 29, (the last working day of the month).  Even though JOBS policy allows a client’s TANF case to be reverted to open if they successfully complete a 10-day POP that started in the sanction penalty month, a TANF benefit must not be anticipated for the next month.

If an individual is sanctioned by TANF, the TANF grant prior to the reduction is counted in calculating the food stamp benefits.

  1. Example:
  2. Mom is sanctioned for non-compliance with a JOBS requirement. Mom’s needs are removed from the grant and the grant is reduced from $500 to $400. When calculating food stamp level of benefits, a disqualification is imposed and the grant amount of $500 is counted as unearned income.

 

An individual disqualified from the Food Stamp program for failure to comply with TANF or UIB can regain eligibility during the disqualification period if they comply with the TANF or UIB requirements or become exempt.

Examples:

Ongoing TANF only case. Mom fails to comply with JOBS and is sanctioned for TANF effective December. January 3 the household applies for FS. Mom remains sanctioned for TANF. There is NO TANF related disqualification for FS because Mom was not in receipt of FS at the time the TANF sanction was imposed. Mom is subject to the FS work requirements as her needs are NOT included in the TANF grant due to the sanction. Mom must register for work unless otherwise exempt.

Ongoing TANF only case. In November Mom fails to comply with JOBS and is sanctioned for TANF effective December. December 23 the household applies for FS. There is NO TANF related disqualification for FS because Mom was not in receipt of FS at the time the TANF sanction was imposed. Mom is subject to the FS work requirements as her needs are NOT included in the TANF grant due to the sanction. Mom must register for work unless otherwise exempt.

Ongoing FS only case. Mom is work registered for FS. January 3 Mom applies for TANF and is eligible. Mom is now exempt from the work requirements. In February Mom fails to comply with JOBS. A sanction is imposed for TANF effective March. Mom is disqualified for FS effective March, as she does not meet any other work requirement exemptions. The TANF case closes effective March 31. The JOBS related disqualification continues for FS until Mom either becomes exempt from a FS work requirement or reapplies for TANF and complies with JOBS.

The FS case closes effective May 31 for failing to provide information. Mom reapplies for FS only on June 20. The JOBS related disqualification continues for FS until Mom either becomes exempt from a FS work requirement or reapplies for TANF and complies with JOBS.

  1. Ongoing TANF/FS case. In December Mom fails to comply with JOBS and is sanctioned for TANF effective January. Mom is also disqualified for FS effective January, as she does not meet any of the exemptions from the work requirements.

On December 27 Mom requests in writing her FS case close effective December 31. TANF remains open. On January 3 Mom reapplies for FS. There is NO TANF related disqualification for FS because Mom was not in receipt of FS at the time the TANF sanction was imposed.

  1. Ongoing TANF/FS case. In December Mom fails to comply with JOBS and is sanctioned for TANF effective January. Mom is also disqualified for FS effective January, as she does not meet any of the exemptions for the work requirements. On December 27 Mom requests in writing her TANF and FS case close effective December 31. On January 3 Mom reapplies for both FS and TANF. TANF imposes a TANF JOBS related disqualification. There is NO TANF related disqualification for FS because Mom was not in receipt of FS at the time the TANF sanction was imposed.

 

Notices Used for JOBS/Non-Compliance

The following TECS notices are used for combination TANF/Food Stamp cases where a food stamp disqualification is being imposed:

 

BEST counties (Burleigh and Cass) must use the following notices when a food stamp disqualification is being imposed:

 

The BEST notices must be sent to households as they are automatically counted and reported to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).