R986-200-206. Participation Requirements

(1) Payment of any and all financial assistance is contingent upon all parents in the household, including adoptive and stepparents, participating, to the maximum extent possible, in:

(a) assessment and evaluation;

(b) the completion of a negotiated employment plan; and

(c) assisting ORS in good faith to:

(i) establish the paternity of all minor children; and

(ii) establish and enforce child support obligations.

(d) obtaining any and all other sources of income. If any household member is or appears to be eligible for unemployment, SSA, Workers Compensation, VA, or any other benefits or forms of assistance, the Department will refer the individual to the appropriate agency and the individual must apply for and pursue obtaining those benefits. If an individual refuses to apply for and pursue these benefits or assistance, the individual is ineligible for financial assistance. Pursuing these benefits includes cooperating fully and providing all the necessary documentation to insure receipt of benefits. If the individual is already receiving assistance from the Department and it is found he or she is not cooperating fully to obtain benefits from another source, the individual will be considered to not be participating in his or her employment plan. If the individual is otherwise eligible for FEP or FEPTP, financial assistance will be provided until eligibility for other benefits or assistance has been determined. If an individual's application for SSA benefits is denied, the individual must fully cooperate in prosecuting an appeal of that SSA denial at least to the Social Security ALJ level.

(2) Parents who have been determined to be ineligible to be included in the financial assistance payment are still required to participate.

(3) Children at least 16 years old but under 18 years old, unless they are in school full-time or in school part-time and working less than 100 hours per month are required to participate.