R986-200-210. Requirements of an Employment Plan

(1) Within 15 business days of completion of the assessment, the following individuals in the household assistance unit are required to sign and make a good faith effort to participate to the maximum extent possible in a negotiated employment plan:

(a) All parents, including parents whose income and assets are included in determining eligibility of the household but have been determined to be ineligible or disqualified from being included in the financial assistance payment.

(b) Dependent minor children who are at least 16 years old, who are not parents, unless they are full-time students or are employed an average of 30 hours a week or more.

(2) The goal of the employment plan is obtaining marketable employment and it must contain the soonest possible target date for entry into employment consistent with the employability of the individual.

(3) An employment plan consists of activities designed to help an individual become employed. For each activity there will be:

(a) an expected outcome;

(b) an anticipated completion date;

(c) the number of participation hours agreed upon per week; and

(d) a definition of what will constitute satisfactory progress for the activity.

(4) Each activity must be directed toward the goal of increasing the household's income.

(5) Activities may require that the client:

(a) obtain immediate employment. If so, the parent client shall:

(i) promptly register for work and commence a search for employment for a specified number of hours each week; and

(ii) regularly submit a report to the Department on:

(A) how much time was spent in job search activities;

(B) the number of job applications completed;

(C) the interviews attended;

(D) the offers of employment extended; and

(E) other related information required by the Department.

(b) participate in an educational program to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent, if the parent client does not have a high school diploma;

(c) obtain education or training necessary to obtain employment;

(d) obtain medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment;

(e) resolve transportation and child care needs;

(f) relocate from a rural area which would require a round trip commute in excess of two hours in order to find employment;

(g) resolve any other barriers identified as preventing or limiting the ability of the client to obtain employment, and/or

(h) participate in rehabilitative services as prescribed by the State Office of Rehabilitation.

(6) The client must meet the performance expectations of, and provide verification for, each eligible activity in the employment plan in order to stay eligible for financial assistance. A list of what will be considered acceptable documentation is available at each employment center.

(7) The client must cooperate with the Department's efforts to monitor and evaluate the client's activities and progress under the employment plan, which includes providing the Department with a release of information, if necessary to facilitate the Department's monitoring of compliance.

(8) Where available, supportive services will be provided as needed for each activity.

(9) The client agrees, as part of the employment plan, to cooperate with other agencies, or with individuals or companies under contract with the Department, as outlined in the employment plan.

(10) An employment plan may, at the discretion of the Department, be amended to reflect new information or changed circumstances.

(11) The number of hours of participation in subsection (3)(c) of this section will not be lower than 30 hours per week. All 30 hours must be in eligible activities. 20 of those 30 hours must be in priority activities. A list of approved priority and eligible activities is available at each employment center. If the client has a child in the household under the age of six, the number of hours of participation in subsection (3)(c) of this section is a minimum of 20 hours per week and all of those 20 hours must be in priority activities.

(12) In the event a client has barriers which prevent the client from 30 hours of participation per week, or 20 hours in priority activities, a lower number of hours of participation can be approved if:

(a) the Department identifies and documents the barriers which prevent the client from full participation; and

(b) the client agrees to participate to the maximum extent possible to resolve the barriers which prevent the client from participating.