West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 78 - Human Services
Title 78 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BUREAU FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
Series 78-23 - W. Va. Works Program Sanctions
Section 78-23-2 - Definitions

2.1. Assistance Group - Means all at-risk individuals living in a residence together who purchase and prepare meals for the group.

2.2. De minimis Violation - Means a minor violation or failure to perform an act required by this rule. A de minimis violation is not per se an automatic sanction violation but could be actionable or result in a sanction if the violation is willful or determined by the case manager not to constitute good cause.

2.3. Department - Means the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

2.4. Good Cause - Means a legitimate and verified, in accordance with applicable DHHR policy, excuse for failing to perform an act required by a Personal Responsibility Contract, Self-Sufficiency Plan such as, including but not limited to, physical and mental capacity or the unavailability of child care. See, Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 13.10

2.5. Personal Responsibility Contract - Is a written contract between each of the adult (s) or emancipated minor (s) of the WV WORKS program, or non-recipient Work-Eligible Individual(s), and the Case Manager, as the representative of the Department.

2.6. Sanction - Means a sanction that results in the termination of a beneficiary's cash assistance. A sanction violation includes, but is not limited to, fraud, noncompliance of the personal responsibility contract, failure or refusal to comply with the requirements of the work component may adversely affect the beneficiary's W. Va. WORKS eligibility or the amount of his WV WORKS check. See, Income Maintenance Manual, Chapter 9.

2.7. Self-Sufficiency Plan - Means a written plan that lists the goals of each individual and the tasks necessary to accomplish those goals.

2.8. Termination - Means the act of ending a beneficiary's cash assistance for the term specified by the sanction.

2.9. West Virginia WORKS Program - Means a program that provides monthly cash assistance 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 remain self-sufficient. The West Virginia Works Program is also known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF).

2.10. Work-Eligible Individual - Means an individual that is not included in the W. Va. WORKS payment but is required to participate in an activity.