Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
In the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS), Pre-Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Refugee Assistance (REF), Refugee
Employment Program (REP), State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI (SFPSS), and TANF programs,
notwithstanding any other administrative rule in chapter 461 and subject to the
availability of state and federal funding, the following special provisions
apply:
(1)
Support
services (see OAR
461-001-0025) payments are
available to the following individuals who are eligible (see
OAR 461-130-0310) to engage in a
case plan (see OAR
461-001-0025):
(a) An individual who is an adult parent,
needy caretaker relative (see OAR
461-001-0000), teen
parent (see OAR
461-001-0000), or a
minor parent (see OAR
461-001-0000) who is head of
household; in the TANF filing group (see
461-110-0330) and is not
otherwise exempt (see OAR
461-130-0305) and in accordance
with participation requirements in OAR
461-130-0310.
(b) An individual who is a recipient of
Pre-TANF or SFPSS programs.
(c) An
individual who is a JOBS volunteer (see OAR
461-130-0310) and has a JOBS
case plan.
(d)
Subject to the limitations in section (8) of this rule, an individual who is
receiving REF and participating in REP, who is not otherwise exempt (see OAR
461-130-0305).
(2) In approving JOBS program or REP program
support services payments, the Department must consider lower
cost alternatives. This rule is not intended to supplant Department funding
with other funding that is available in the community. The expectation of the
Department is that Department staff and individuals work collaboratively to
seek resources that are reasonably available to the individual in order to
participate in activities.
(3)
Payment for support services are provided when:
(a) Necessary to participate in an approved
activity (see OAR
461-001-0025) specified in the
individual's case plan;
(b) Authorized in advance; and
(c) All other provisions of this rule are
met.
(4) A Department
approved activity is eligible for support
services payments, except for the following activities:
(a) Family Support &
Connections,
(b) Retention
services, and
(c)
Microenterprise (see OAR
461-190-0197).
(5) In the JOBS, Pre-TANF, SFPSS, and TANF
programs, the Department may provide payments for support
services for eligible individuals engaged in an
approved activity specified in the individual's case
plan
, subject to provisions in sections (1)(a)
through (1)(d) of this rule. Support services payment types
are described as follows and are subject to the following limitations:
(a) JOBS Incidentals: In kind goods or items
provided to individuals by the office to support the goals of the family while
participating in the JOBS program.
(b) Bus Pass/Tickets: Bus tickets or pass
that are issued in person out of office.
(c) Bus Payment: Payments issued to the
individual to pay for public transportation. Requests for recurring bus
payments may not exceed six consecutive months of issuance per request. If the
individual's eligibility changes during the six months of recurring payments,
timely continuing benefit decision notice (see OAR
461-001-0000) must be
sent.
(d) Gas Payment: Payments for
an individual to pay for transportation costs incurred in travel to and from an
approved activity. Requests for recurring gas payments may not
exceed six consecutive months of issuance per request. If the individual's
eligibility changes during the six months of recurring payments, timely
continuing benefit decision notice (see OAR
461-001-0000) must be
sent.
(e) Child Care: Payments for
child care, as allowed under OAR
461-160-0193.
(f) Clothing: Payments for clothing items to
support the individual to engage in an approved
activity.
(g)
Housing/Utilities: Payments for housing (including motor homes or trailers when
it is the individual's residence) and utilities expenses. Payments are subject
to the following:
(A) Except as provided in
paragraph (C) and (D) of this subsection, each payment type (such as rent,
mortgage, utility bill, storage fees) is limited to two months per benefit
group (see OAR 461-110-0750).
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) and
(D) of this subsection, this payment is limited to $3,000 per benefit group for
each three-month period.
(C) Except
as provided in paragraph (D) of this subsection, internet service payments are
limited to four months per benefit group.
(D) With prior manager approval, and upon
verification that an individual has greater needs to stabilize a living
situation or prevent loss of housing, the Department may approve payments that
exceed the limits in paragraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this
subsection.
(h) Grooming
Needs: Payments for grooming needs for an approved
activity.
(i)
Professional Fees: Payments for professional fees to support the case
plan.
(j) Tools/Equipment:
Payments for equipment or tools an individual needs to accept a job offer, or
for a work-related activity.
(k) Books/Supplies: Payments for books and
supplies an individual needs to engage in an educational
activity, including vocational training (see
OAR 461-001-0025).
(l) Vocational Training: Payment for tuition
and other educational costs for
vocational training and
self-initiated training (see OAR
461-001-0025), excluding
payments for books and supplies. Payments are subject to the following:
(A) Tuition payments for a vocational
training activity or a jobs skills training (see OAR
461-001-0025)
activity are limited to single payments by session as defined
by the educational or vocational training entity, such as a term, semester, or
quarter.
(B) Tuition payments for a
self-initiated training activity may be limited to no more
than a twelve-month period per individual and shall be reviewed on a
term-by-term basis. Individuals must show that they are making satisfactory
progress (see OAR
461-001-0025) in their program
and working towards receiving or clearing their standing to receive financial
aid.
(C) For tuition payments,
lower cost alternatives, as described in section (2) of this rule, must be
explored, including the individual pursuing financial aid and other sources of
assistance.
(m) Auto
Expenses: Payments for auto expenses, repairs, or car insurance to support the
goals specified in the individual's
case plan. Payments for
auto expenses are subject to the following limitations:
(A) Payments for vehicle repairs are limited
to situations where repairs are neccessary to operate the vehicle.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) of
this subsection, payments for auto loans or auto leases, are limited to three
months per calendar year and only for situations where there is a written
agreement. Payments may be authorized for no more than $1,650 per calendar year
and are limited to $550 per month.
(C) With manager authorization, and upon
verification that an individual has greater needs in order to participate in
their case plan, the Department may approve payments that exceed the limits in
paragraph (B) of this subsection.
(n) Eyeglasses: Effective July 19, 2023,
payments for eyeglasses (does not include contacts) when necessary to remove a
barrier towards gaining employment. Requests for eyeglasses above $50 shall
require verification of the need from a qualified and appropriate professional.
Payments for eyeglasses are limited to individuals who are not any of the
following:
(A) Under the age of 21,
(B) A pregnant adult, or
(C) Within the last day of the twelfth month
following the month in which the individual gave birth.
(o) Tax Preparation Services: Payments for
personal tax preparation services are limited to payments for the current tax
year and can only be accessed from January 1 through Tax Day in April, in
situations where no free community resources are available.
(p) Other Payments: When the need is
identified and no other sources are available, the Department may provide other
payments needed --
(A) To look for
work.
(B) To accept a job
offer.
(C) To attain a high school
diploma or GED.
(D) That are not
otherwise restricted, with manager approval.
(q) None of the following payments are
allowed for payment by the Department:
(A)
Medical Assistance or medical services, including eye exams, medical
screenings, or substance use testing.
(B) Mental health services.
(C) Alcohol and drug treatment
services.
(D) Professional
Services.
(E) Non-essential
items.
(F) Television and
cable.
(G) Fines, reinstatement
fees, restitution, legal fees, civil fees, court costs, or other costs
associated with a penalty.
(H)
Purchase or rental of a car, recreational vehicle, or motor home, except as
provided in subsections (5)(g) and (5)(m).
(I) Any payments described in this rule for
individuals employed in, seeking employment in, or engaged in an
illegal activity (see OAR
461-120-0215).
(J) Pet-related costs.
(K) Payments for child care, including ERDC
co-payments, except as allowed under subsection (5)(e) of this rule and OAR
461-160-0193.
(L) Purchase of a firearm or other items
intended to be used as self-defense or as a
weapon.
(6) The
Department may require an individual to provide verification of a need for, or
costs associated with, support services prior to approval and
issuance of payments if verification is reasonably available.
(7) The Department may reduce, close, or deny
in whole or in part a request for support services payments in
the following circumstances:
(a) The purpose
for the payments is not related to the individual's case
plan.
(b) The individual
is failing to comply with the case plan or disqualified,
unless the payments in question are necessary for the individual to demonstrate
cooperation with the individual's case plan.
(c) The individual disagrees with
support services payments offered or made by the Department as
outlined in the individual's case plan.
(8) In the REF and REP programs, the
Department may provide payments for support services for
individuals eligible for REP engaged in an approved
activity specified in the individual's case
plan, subject to provisions in section (1)(e). Support
services are subject to the following limitations:
(a) Transportation. The Department may
provide payments to an individual when transportation costs is for travel to
and from an approved REP activity. Payments are only for the
cost of public transportation or fuel costs. For fuel costs the individual
providing the transportation must report having a valid driver's license and
vehicle insurance..
(b) Other
Payments. When the need is identified and no other sources are available, the
Department may provide other payments needed -
(A) To accept a job offer.
(B) For books and supplies to complete a an
approved educational activity.
(c) All other payments are not
allowed.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
409.050,
411.060,
411.070,
411.121,
412.006,
412.009,
412.014,
412.049 &
412.124
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
412.016,
412.049,
412.084,
412.124, ORS
291.003,
409.010,
409.040,
411.060,
411.070,
411.121,
412.001,
412.002,
412.006,
412.009,
412.011,
412.014 &
45 CFR
233.20
