JOBS/Tribal NEW Up-front Eligibility Requirements 400-19-35-10

(Revised 4/1/2026 Release 26.1)

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Unless first determined to be exempt, excluded, or granted good cause for nonparticipation in Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS), the applicant and any member of the family for whom TANF is requested shall, as a condition of eligibility, comply with requirements of Up-front Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) or a Tribal Native Employment Works (NEW) Program. Failure to cooperate with Up-front Eligibility requirements will result in denial of the application.  

 

Because a referred individual may contact JOBS or Tribal NEW in advance of their receipt of the JOBS/Tribal NEW Referral, the eligibility worker must immediately alert the JOBS Employment Contractor or Tribal NEW of the referral.

 

Non-sanctioned individuals must:

  1. Contact the JOBS or Tribal NEW Program within seven (7) business days from the referral date of the referral to schedule an orientation appointment. The first business day after the referral date is considered day one of the seven (7) business day period; and
  2. Attend the scheduled appointment to complete the program orientation, initial assessment, and employability plan; and
  3. Not have quit a job or refused employment without good cause after the application.

Sanctioned individuals must:

  1. Contact the JOBS or Tribal New Program within seven (7) business days from the referral date of the referral to schedule an orientation appointment. The first business day after the referral date is considered day one of the seven (7) business day period; and
  2. Attend the scheduled appointment to complete the program orientation, initial assessment, and employability plan; and
  3. Complete their Proof of Performance (POP) unless they are determined to have good cause; and
  4. Not have quit a job or refused employment without good cause after the application date.  

An individual who was sanctioned for the JOBS Program and has been off TANF assistance for twelve or more consecutive months must have their previous TANF JOBS sanction cured. JOBS Up-front Eligibility requirements for non-sanctioned individuals apply.

 

If a sanctioned individual who applies after the Sanction Penalty Month or Month of Ineligibility meets the JOBS Up-front Eligibility, the sanctioned individual and other eligible individuals in the household are provided a TANF benefit prorated from the application date. (See Section 400-19-90, Curing a JOBS or Tribal New Sanction for individuals who apply during the Sanction Penalty Month or Month of Ineligibility.)

 

Up-front Eligibility requirement does not apply to:

  1. Exempt volunteers;
  2. Individuals added to an ongoing case; or
  3. Individuals in cases that have been reverted to open.