1009-2           WHEN TO ISSUE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Supportive Services are not an entitlement.  Work Services staff will determine when to issue Supportive Services to clients.  Payments are based on individual circumstances and individualized FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan's, so there is no simple and clear way to identify whether individual payment should be made beyond the general guidelines given here. 

Some agencies have their own procedures to determine when to authorize Supportive Services. The Work Services Provider (WSP) will follow their agency’s protocols as well as the guidance below:

It may be appropriate to provide Supportive Services to clients who are working and/or engaged in other approved work or self-sufficiency activities when:

1. 1. 1. • Meeting the identified need is essential to maintaining their work and/or participating in their FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan activities;

         • The unmet need is interfering with their ability to work or progress in their self-sufficiency goals;

         • Meeting the need is expected to significantly improve their chances in job advancement, increasing their income, or progressing in their FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan or IFSSP Informed Family Self Sufficiency Plan; AND,

         • There is no other way to meet the need.

Note:

Clients who are not in compliance with their FSSP or IFSSP are not eligible for Supportive Services; however when clients express willingness to engage in their plan, Supportive Services must be made available as necessary for their engagement. Supportive Services may never be withheld to force compliance with case management demands, for example:  turning in a Work Verification paperwork.

Before providing Supportive Service payments, case managers will demonstrate due diligence by working with the client to explore alternative resources available to meet the need.  This process includes:

1. 1. 1. • Problem solving—help families to anticipate problems and identify solutions for future needs. Even when the Case Manager  provides Supportive Services, he/she must take the opportunity to help the client prepare and plan for the time when supports are no longer available.

         • Budgeting and identification of other income—authorize Supportive Services when there is no other way to meet the need.  Sometimes budgeting can help the client meet the need on their own. Ask the client to contribute what they can to the purchase of the service—to “co-pay” for the service or item.

         • Identification of natural supports (friends, family, etc.)—every family has different strengths and needs. Supportive Services should be tailored to each family and determined on a case-by-case basis.  The client should be able to identify their network of family and friends who may be able to help.

         • Access of community resources—link clients to community resources. While charitable organizations and agencies may not have the funds or specific service needed, the client will know how to access that organization’s resources when they are self-sufficient and Work Services are no longer available.

The expectation is that case managers will work with clients to ensure they identify and use resources other than Work Services Supportive Services whenever possible.  However investigation other resources should not take so long that the unmet need interferes with client participation and success with their self-sufficiency plan.  The urgency of the need and the time the client has available to invest in doing things outside of their job or other activities shall be balanced with the investigation of alternative resources.

If the Case Manager is unsure about whether to authorize a Supportive Service, consider the following:

1. 1. 1. • Conduct a case staffing with other involved staff or staff from the WSP Work Service Providers team who might offer helpful information or perspectives;

         • Talk with a supervisor about the case; and,

         • Be as specific as possible in identifying why question exists about authorizing the service.  Consider whether the client needs to provide more information or do more to help you make a good decision.

If Work Services staff decide not to authorize a requested Supportive Service, they should discuss the decision with the client and try to help the client meet the need through other resources. Any denial of Supportive Services must be documented.

There are no Work Services Program caps on how much an individual client can receive in Supportive Services per program year. However, Supportive Services funds are a finite resource each agency shall have protocols in place to manage their Supportive Services budget.

Note:

If an adult family member is employed at the time the Temporary Assistance case closes, the family is eligible for up to 12 months of extended case management services, and if necessary to maintain employment, supportive services The only deciding factor is if the TA case closed with employment (case closed with earned income) – if it did, they are eligible for Post TA case management and, if necessary to maintain employment, associated supportive services. If a case closes because they no longer have an eligible child in the home, as opposed to closed due to employment, they are not eligible for Post TA. However, if a case closes due to employment, and then in the course of the 12 months of Post TA they no longer have an eligible child in the home, they still continue to receive Post TA supportive services for the remainder of the 12 months. See ATAP MS 740-1 (A) & (B).