722-4          GOOD CAUSE FOR JOB REFUSAL OR JOB QUIT

The caseworker should only determine good cause for an ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program job quit (JQ) or refusal in an application situation. Good cause situations can be reviewed in ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 723-1 and 730-2.

Ongoing cases are managed by Work Services and the ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program JQJob Quit or refusal determination is made by the Work Services case manager. If a good cause determination is not available to DPADivision of Public Assistance at time of eligibility redetermination, the caseworker needs to request the good cause determination from the Work Services case manager before moving forward with the eligibility determination process.

A disqualification is not imposed if an individual:

• Is exempt from participating in work activity (see ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 730-2); or

• Has good cause as described in ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 723-1C.

A disqualification is also not imposed if the individual:

• Voluntarily refuses or separates from employment or reduces their hours of work to participate in vocational education or training that is included in their FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan.  The training should be directed toward immediate employment upon completion and should be more likely to lead to self-sufficiency for the family.

• Voluntarily refuses or quits a job to accept employment that is included in the FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan that may not initially provide equal wages or benefits but is more likely, in the Work Services case manager's judgement, to lead to self-sufficiency.

Note:

These good cause reasons do not change the Division's "Work First" approach to case management.  Our goal is still to help families reach self-sufficiency through employment.  In deciding whether to grant good cause in a particular case, apply the following guidelines:

1. Decisions about leaving employment, reducing hours of work, or changing jobs should be made jointly by the individual and their case manager.
2. The family's self-sufficiency plan should be updated before the individual moves ahead with changes in employment or school status, hours of work, etc.