WV WORKS
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WV WORKS State PlAN 2009 - 2010- View the Plan
West Virginia's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is WV WORKS. It is based on the goals of assisting economically dependent and at-risk families to become self supporting, enhancing the well-being of children, and on assisting families near the poverty level to remain self-sufficient.
WV WORKS provides monthly cash assistance to eligible families. Most people who receive a monthly WV WORKS check also receive SNAP and Medicaid, but these are not guaranteed based just on receipt of a check.
Eligibility
There are 2 steps to the eligibility process. Step 1 is a gross income test. The family's gross income must be below an amount that varies by family size. If this income test is passed, certain other deductions are applied to the income to determine the amount of the benefit. These are: 40% of earned income; up to the first $50 of child support and child care expenses. There is 1 incentive payment paid monthly based on case circumstances: $25 child support incentive payment when child support is redirected to the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement.
In addition to financial eligibility, the client is required to perform 2 additional tasks before final eligibility is determined. Orientation to WV WORKS may be done in a group or individually. Applicants are required to attend orientation to learn about available activities and services and for an explanation of the 60-month lifetime limit for receipt of benefits. In addition, each adult or emancipated minor is required to negotiate a personal responsibility contract. This contract is an agreement between the applicant and DHHR which identifies goals, objectives and actions that must be taken in order to become self-sufficient. The personal responsibility contract may be renegotiated at any time; it is an ever-changing document. Within the first 45 days a home visit will be completed by the WV WORKS Case Manager. Failure of the active recipient to adhere to the personal responsibility contract, without good cause, results in application of a sanction to the household. Sanctions are as follows:
- 1st sanction = 1/3 reduction in the total check amount for 3 months
- 2nd sanction = 2/3 reduction in the total check amount for 3 months
- 3rd and any subsequent sanction = case ineligibility for 3 months
Support service payments are available to active participants or those preparing to participate in a work activity. These same payments are available to former recipients for 6 consecutive months after case closure as long as the family income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. This period of eligibility is available up to two times for one six-month period following case closure. There are lifetime limits on the amount of support service payments, but payment may be issued based on need, for the following items: clothing, tools, equipment, driver's license, chauffeur's license, commercial driver's license, professional license, relocation expenses, transportation, vehicle repair, vehicle insurance, DUI expenses, and other incidental expenses relating to participation in an approved work activity. The following bonuses are paid based on case circumstances:
- $500 onetime GED achievement Bonus is paid when the GED exam is passed
- $500 one-time Self-Sufficiency Achievement Bonus is paid for retaining full-time paid employment and maintaining WV residency during each of the six months following WV WORKS closure.
More specific information about eligibility requirements is available from the local office in the county in which you live. Information about acceptable work activities, special programs and employer incentives is available below at this same site.
Educational Programs Available to ParticIpants
- Assessment Testing
Five Department of Education Assessment Specialists administer the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Work Keys, Emotional Health Inventory (EHI) and Learning Needs Screening to WV WORKS Assistance Group (AG) adults statewide. These assessment tests measure individuals’ grade levels in areas such as math, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. Work Keys measures skills required for specific jobs. Work Keys indicates if individuals meet the required skills for particular jobs, as well as areas that individuals need to upgrade in order to meet minimum skill levels. The Learning Needs Screening helps identify individuals who may have learning disabilities and can lead to further diagnostic testing and referral to available services. The Emotional Health Inventory (EHI) is administered and used as a screening device to identify potential mental health and substance use issues. Individuals may be referred to mental health professionals for further diagnosis.
Participants in educational activities must be making satisfactory progress as determined by the program in which they are enrolled.
Educational activities include but are not limited to:
- Vocational Training - Includes organized educational programs that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring training other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree. This activity is limited to those programs that prepare participants for a specific trade, occupation, or vocation. WV WORKS staff may write training contracts for individuals without Division of Family Assistance approval for an amount up to $600.
- College - The student must be enrolled full-time as defined by the institution or course of study, regardless of the number of hours of actual participation. (Does not include graduate shcool).
- Job Skills Related to Employment - Education and training for job skills required by an employer to provide an individual with the opportunity to obtain employment or to advance or adapt to the changing demands of the workplace. Job skills training can include customized training to meet the needs of a specific employer or general training that prepares an individual for employment.
- Education Related to Employment - Education related to a specific occupation, job, or job offer. This activity includes training courses designed to provide the knowledge and skills for specific occupations or work settings. This activity may also include Adult Basic Education (ABE) to improve basic skills for those already possessing a high school deiloma or GED and English as a Second Language (ESL). Literacy skills and tutoring also fall under this activity.
- High School or GED Classes - Secondary School or a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence.
Programs Available to Employers of WV WORKS Particpants
- Joint Opportunities for Independence (JOIN)
JOIN is a work experience and skill's activity operated in the private or public sector. Placements with JOIN sponsors try and match the client's interest. For JOIN the amount of SNAP and cash assistance received, divided by the federal minimum wage, will determine the number of hours to be worked not to exceed 40 hours per week. JOIN placements may not exceed 12 consecutive months. JOIN contractors must provide Workers' Compensation or comparable coverage.
- Employer Incentive Program (EIP)
This is a hire first program with a public or private sector businesses licensed to do business in West Virginia. These contracts are for a minimum of 30 hours per week not to exceed 40 hours per week. The minimum number of hours for each contract is 200 and may not exceed 600. The clients will be hired by an employer and receive no less than the minimum wage per hour. The employer will be reimbursed 50% of the salary indicated in the contract by the Department of Health and Human Resources.
- Community Work Experience Program (CWEP)
CWEP is a work activity for parents or other care taker relatives age 18 and older. CWEP sponsors are limited to federal, local, state and nonprofit agencies. Eligible clients will be assisted in finding agencies in which to participate.
How does CWEP help the participant?
CWEP provides work experience to participants of WV WORKS who have little or no work history. A participant's assignment is determined by adding the:
- The amount of the SNAP and cash assistance received, divided by the federal minimum wage.
- The number of hours required to work cannot exceed 40 hours per week. CWEP placements must not exceed 12 consecutive months. CWEP sponsors must provide Workers' Compensation or comparable coverage.
Any CWEP placement can be used on a participants resume, when searching for employment.
