Common use of Strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance Clause in Contracts

Strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance. District’s strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance are described below: Niagara County provides supportive services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance. These supportive services are provided on a case-by-case basis and are only approved for individuals who are either already employed or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on the company's letterhead indicating a promise of employment (with an expected start date) is required in order for the individual to be considered for these services. The OTDA JOBS Program staff person is available to provide job search/job placement services to applicants in an effort to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance Section 4 Support Services (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.4)‌ Section 4.1 TA and Non-TA SNAP Applicants and Recipients in Work Activities Approved by the District‌ a. The social services district will provide childcare in accordance with the childcare section of the district’s Child and Family County Services Plan. The district will also provide for participants the following expenses which the district deems necessary for the individual to participate in orientation, assessment, employment planning, approved work activities and activities to restore self-sufficiency: I. Transportation- Public Transportation, Mileage Re-imbursement, Motor Vehicle Repair, Registration and Insurance Transportation- All Motor Vehicle Expenses a) Requires participant to have a valid drivers license b) Vehicle must be Titled to and Registered to a member of the applicant household Repair- c) Requires two estimates of cost from licensed auto repair shops including a statement of the necessity of the repairs to keep the vehicle working and road legal. d) Requires that the cost of repairs be in line with the value of the vehicle Insurance e) DSS will pay up to three months auto insuarance per year. II. Work-related expenses (including uniforms, tools, licenses, test fees) a) Uniforms- up to $100.00 b) Tools - Up to $500.00 c) License and fees- Considered on a case by case basis III Tuition upon prior approval for training when no other funding source is available and: a) Determination that the training will lead to an offer of employment. This is based on criteria established by Niagara County Employment and Training. b) An evaluation determines that the participant has sufficient background to reasonably determine success in the program. c) Case by case evaluation of any program lasting more then 12 months. d) All tuition must be approved by a Manager. Anything over $1000.00 must also be approved by the Director of Eligibility. b. The district will use the following approach to assist those participants who need transportation to and from an approved work activity site, including any applicable mileage reimbursement rate, and the method used by the district to arrive at that reimbursement rate. OTDA policy establishes a mileage reimbursement rate of no less than the IRS established rate for medical/moving purposes. In all instances, should the actual cost of transportation needed to participate in an assigned work activity exceed the reimbursement rate determined by the district, the district will reimburse for the actual costs based on reasonable documentation submitted by the work activity participant. Please check all that apply: Bus pass/token Gas card/voucher Mileage reimbursement at IRS Business rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 57.5 cents/mi) Mileage reimbursement at IRS Medical/Moving rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 23 cents/mi) Other mileage rate, (please explain methodology used to establish reimbursement rate): Whenever possible public transportation will be used to help those individuals who need transportation to and from their approved work activity site. The department provides bus passes or tokens depending on the individuals needs. For those participants who live where public transportation isn’t available and have their own vehicle or the offer of a ride the department issues a mileage allowance. The allowance is $4.00/day for a distance up to 8 miles (one way). Distances over 8 miles will be calculated at the IRS medical/moving rate per mile. c. OTDA policy establishes a distance not to exceed 2 miles as the maximum distance that the district can require a participant to walk to a work activity assignment or to access public transportation. The district’s policy states that an individual may be required to walk up to the distance described below each way to a work activity or to access public transportation: d. The district will provide the following services to assist individuals at risk of needing temporary assistance to improve their opportunities for employment or to maintain their employment: Niagara County provides supportive services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance. The services provided will vary depending if the household is an individual or a family. Each situation is evaluated on a case by case basis and are only approved for individuals who are either already employed or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on Company letterhead indicating a promise of a job, including start date is required in order for the individual to be considered for services. The anticipated wages would need to be high enough to project the household as being ineligible for Temporary Assistance. All diversion services need a managers approval. Any cost exceeding $1000.00 also needs the approval of the Director of Eligibility. Additional criteria are as follows -

Strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance. District’s strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance are described below: Niagara County In an effort to avert or reduce the need for Temporary Assistance, the district provides supportive services. The criteria for providing these services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance. These supportive is that these services are provided on a case-by-case basis and are only approved for individuals who are either already employed would allow or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on the company's letterhead indicating a promise of employment (with an expected start date) is required in order for enable the individual to be considered remain employed or obtain employment, thus averting or reducing the need for these servicestemporary assistance. The OTDA JOBS Program staff person is available to provide Supportive services may include but are not limited to: day care assistance, transportation expenses, car repairs, appropriate clothing, housing assistance, job search/job placement services to applicants in an effort to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance referrals, etc. Section 4 Support Services (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.4)‌ Section 4.1 TA and Non-TA SNAP Applicants and Recipients in Work Activities Approved by the District‌ a. The social services district will provide childcare in accordance with the childcare section of the district’s Child and Family County Services Plan. The district will also provide for participants the following expenses which the district deems necessary for the individual to participate in orientation, assessment, employment planning, approved work activities and activities to restore self-sufficiency: I. Transportation- Public Transportation: Transportation – the least expensive form of transportation that is available will be reimbursed to clients on a monthly basis after the completion of activity requirements. The LDSS will reimburse actual expenses up to prevailing IRS mileage rate – effective January 1, Mileage Re-imbursement2016, Motor Vehicle Repairthe rate is 57.5 cents per mile Additionally, Registration and Insurance Transportation- All Motor Vehicle Expenses a) Requires participant the LDSS will provide housing relocation assistance for clients who are not able to have access personal or public transportation. It has been this LDSS’s experience that clients who are not able to access transportation to DSS activities, are not able to access transportation to employment. Therefore, with the exception of clients who own their own homes, a valid drivers license b) Vehicle must be Titled to and Registered to a member move from remote areas of the applicant household Repair- ccounty will be needed to ensure attachment to the job market. When requesting assistance from LDSS with car repairs, clients will be required to submit a minimum of one (1) Requires two estimates and a maximum of cost from licensed auto three (3) written estimates. The employment unit worker will discuss and determine the most appropriate option with client. Upon completion of repair, payment will be provided directly to the repair shops including a statement of the necessity of the repairs to keep the vehicle working and road legal. d) Requires that the cost of repairs be in line with the value of the vehicle Insurance e) DSS will pay up to three months auto insuarance per year. II. Work-related expenses (including uniforms, tools, licenses, test fees) a) Uniforms- up to $100.00 b) Tools - Up to $500.00 c) License and fees- Considered on a case by case basis III Tuition upon prior approval for training when no other funding source is available and: a) Determination that the training will lead to an offer of employment. This is based on criteria established by Niagara County Employment and Training. b) An evaluation determines that the participant has sufficient background to reasonably determine success in the program. c) Case by case evaluation of any program lasting more then 12 months. d) All tuition must be approved by a Manager. Anything over $1000.00 must also be approved by the Director of Eligibilityvendor. b. The district will use the following approach to assist those participants who need transportation to and from an approved work activity site, including any applicable mileage reimbursement rate, and the method used by the district to arrive at that reimbursement rate. OTDA policy establishes a mileage reimbursement rate of no less than the IRS established rate for medical/moving purposes. In all instances, should the actual cost of transportation needed to participate in an assigned work activity exceed the reimbursement rate determined by the district, the district will reimburse for the actual costs based on reasonable documentation submitted by the work activity participant. Please check all that apply: Bus pass/token Gas card/voucher Mileage reimbursement at IRS Business rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 57.5 cents/mi) Mileage reimbursement at IRS Medical/Moving rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 23 cents/mi) Other mileage rate, (please explain methodology used to establish reimbursement rate): Whenever possible The LDSS utilizes the Madison County public bus transit (operated by Bernie Bus) and allows for reimbursement of expenses for use of personal vehicles when preapproved by the LDSS. The least expensive form of transportation that is available will be reimbursed to clients on a monthly basis after the completion of activity requirements. Clients will be provided with bus tokens to participate in LDSS assigned activities for those able to access the public transportation will be used to help those individuals who need transportation to and from their approved work activity sitesystem. The department provides LDSS will reimburse clients the exact cost of necessary transportation on a monthly basis for actual days of attendance at assigned activities based upon receipt of monthly attendance sheets. Requests for mileage reimbursement must be submitted in writing. Bus tokens (free passes) may be issued in limited cases to clients who lack the necessary financial resources to access the bus passes or tokens depending on the individuals needs. For those participants who live where public transportation isn’t available and have their own vehicle or the offer of a ride the department issues a mileage allowance. The allowance is $4.00/day for a distance up to 8 miles (one way). Distances over 8 miles will be calculated at the IRS medical/moving rate per mileroute. c. OTDA policy establishes a distance not to exceed 2 miles as the maximum distance that the district can require a participant to walk to a work activity assignment or to access public transportation. The district’s policy states that an individual may be required to walk up to the distance described below each way to a work activity or to access public transportation:: In instances where individuals reside in an area where public transportation is not available and the client has no means to travel to a work activity, the LDSS will attempt to develop a work activity assignment within travel distance. The LDSS will require clients, who are physically able, to walk up to two (2) miles when they are within that distance of the assigned work activity from their residence or from the nearest Madison County transit bus stop. d. The district will provide the following services to assist individuals at risk of needing temporary assistance to improve their opportunities for employment or to maintain their employment: Niagara Madison County provides supportive services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistancean on-site child care referral and information specialist employed by the Madison - Herkimer childcare resource and referral agency (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County). The services provided will vary depending if include enhanced childcare referrals (including the household is name, address, and availability of three (3) providers), assistance in becoming a licensed provider and assistance for families that use a legally exempt provider in assuring a health, safe environment. Madison County provides for an individual or a familyon-site Domestic Violence liaison to assist applicants and recipients in overcoming issues related to violence in their homes. Each situation is evaluated on a case by case basis Services include referrals to advocates for safety planning, Family Court orders and are only approved advice and recommendations for individuals who are either already employed or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on Company letterhead indicating a promise of a job, including start date is required in order for the individual to be considered for services. The anticipated wages would need to be high enough to project the household as being ineligible for Temporary Assistance. All diversion services need a managers approval. Any cost exceeding $1000.00 also needs the approval of the Director of Eligibility. Additional criteria are as follows -work activities.

Strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance. District’s strategies for reducing the need for Temporary Assistance are described below: Niagara County provides supportive services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance. These supportive services are provided on a case-by-case basis and are only approved for individuals who are either already employed or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on the company's letterhead indicating a promise of employment (with an expected start date) is required in order for the individual to be considered for these services. The OTDA JOBS Program staff person is available to provide job search/job placement services to applicants in an effort to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance Section 4 Support Services (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.4)‌ Section 4.1 TA and Non-TA SNAP Applicants and Recipients in Work Activities Approved by the District‌ a. The social services district will provide childcare in accordance with the childcare section of the district’s Child and Family County Services Plan. The district will also provide for participants the following expenses which the district deems necessary for the individual to participate in orientation, assessment, employment planning, approved work activities and activities to restore self-sufficiency: I. Transportation- Public Transportation, Mileage Re-imbursement, Motor Vehicle Repair, Registration and Insurance Transportation- All Motor Vehicle Expenses a) Requires participant to have a valid drivers license b) Vehicle must be Titled to and Registered to a member of the applicant household Repair- c) Requires two estimates of cost from licensed auto repair shops including a statement of the necessity of the repairs to keep the vehicle working and road legal. d) Requires that the cost of repairs be in line with the value of the vehicle Insurance e) DSS will pay up to three months auto insuarance per year. II. Work-related expenses (including uniforms, tools, licenses, test fees) a) Uniforms- up to $100.00 b) Tools - Up to $500.00 c) License and fees- Considered on a case by case basis III Tuition upon prior approval for training when no other funding source is available and: a) Determination that the training will lead to an offer of employment. This is based on criteria established by Niagara County Employment and Training. b) An evaluation determines that the participant has sufficient background to reasonably determine success in the program. c) Case by case evaluation of any program lasting more then 12 months. d) All tuition must be approved by a Manager. Anything over $1000.00 must also be approved by the Director of Eligibility. b. The district will use the following approach to assist those participants who need transportation to and from an approved work activity site, including any applicable mileage reimbursement rate, and the method used by the district to arrive at that reimbursement rate. OTDA policy establishes a mileage reimbursement rate of no less than the IRS established rate for medical/moving purposes. In all instances, should the actual cost of transportation needed to participate in an assigned work activity exceed the reimbursement rate determined by the district, the district will reimburse for the actual costs based on reasonable documentation submitted by the work activity participant. Please check all that apply: Bus pass/token Gas card/voucher Mileage reimbursement at IRS Business rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 57.5 cents/mi) Mileage reimbursement at IRS Medical/Moving rate, (effective 1/1/15 is 23 cents/mi) Other mileage rate, (please explain methodology used to establish reimbursement rate): Whenever possible public transportation will be used to help those individuals who need transportation to and from their approved work activity site. The department provides bus passes or tokens depending on the individuals needs. For those participants who live where public transportation isn’t available and have their own vehicle or the offer of a ride the department issues a mileage allowance. The allowance is $4.00/day for a distance up to 8 miles (one way). Distances over 8 miles will be calculated at the IRS medical/moving rate per mile.): c. OTDA policy establishes a distance not to exceed 2 miles as the maximum distance that the district can require a participant to walk to a work activity assignment or to access public transportation. The district’s policy states that an individual may be required to walk up to the distance described below each way to a work activity or to access public transportation: d. The district will provide the following services to assist individuals at risk of needing temporary assistance to improve their opportunities for employment or to maintain their employment: Niagara County provides supportive services to divert applicants from needing Temporary Assistance. The services provided will vary depending if the household is an individual or a family. Each situation is evaluated on a case by case basis and are only approved for individuals who are either already employed or have a promise of employment. Verification of employment (current pay stub) or a statement on Company letterhead indicating a promise of a job, including start date is required in order for the individual to be considered for services. The anticipated wages would need to be high enough to project the household as being ineligible for Temporary Assistance. All diversion services need a managers approval. Any cost exceeding $1000.00 also needs the approval of the Director of Eligibility. Additional criteria are as follows -: