1009-4           USING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

1009-4 A.      WHAT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES CANNOT BE USED FOR

Basic needs, such as heat, telephone service and electricity are to be funded by a family’s Temporary Assistance grant and therefore may not to be funded with Supportive Services.

1.     Heat & Electricity for their home is not something a family should be without.  If a client cannot pay to maintain their heat and/or electricity, they may apply for help from DPA Division of Public Assistance’s Heating Assistance Program (HAP) and other charitable organizations. Weatherization assistance may be available through Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAl CAP), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) or other programs which can help reduce the costs of heating in the future.

2.     Telephone service can be vital in searching for employment. If a client cannot pay to maintain their phone bill, or cannot afford to pay for initial and installation costs, they should apply for Lifeline & Link Up, which works with local telephone companies to significantly discount phone and installation fees. 

Note:

Internet service, cable or satellite television, cell phone, long distance telephones services, caller ID, call waiting, and other add on services are NOT basic services.  Internet services for self employment purposes may be considered on a case by case basis and must be approved by Work Services through the WSTA box.

1009-4 B.      WHAT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES CAN BE USED FOR

1009-4 C.        DESCRIPTION OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Bus Transportation (BT);

Lack of transportation is one of the most common challenges to employment. For clients who do not have their own vehicle, the bus or other alternate public transit system may be their primary means of getting to and from work. Use the Bus Transportation code (BT) when Supportive Services are used to pay for public transit.

Car Insurance (C);

Liability car insurance policies can be paid by Supportive Services. Car insurance is an ongoing expense that must be worked into the family’s budget. It is extremely important to review this with clients to ensure that they can cover the ongoing cost of maintaining car insurance. Supportive Services for liability insurance cannot exceed a 12-month term.

In rare cases Work Services can provide comprehensive car insurance funds. Funding of comprehensive insurance cannot exceed 3 months and may be issued under the following circumstances:

1. It is required to by their employer. Budgeting should include looking at wage progression and job advancement to ensure that the client will be able to take over the insurance costs in the future and that the job is one that can become the basis of, or is a step towards, long-term self-sufficiency.

2. They are making loan payments on their vehicle; work with the client to plan how they will pay their own car insurance payments within three months. If the client cannot maintain the insurance payments on their own in this period of time, the client may need help to explore the option of selling/trading the vehicle in on one they can afford.

Note:  

High-risk liability insurance (SR-22) cannot be purchased under any circumstances.

Counseling Services (CL);

This service is used when an assessment, medical referral or case history identifies counseling (individual or group) as a way to develop and build on strengths which will support employment or remediate challenges that interfere with employment. It may also be used to purchase assistance for disabled clients who are pursuing self-sufficiency from the Temporary Assistance program through application for SSI Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Individual or group counseling supports client employability through improved life skills, safety, health or abilities. For clients with certain challenges, such as mental health, substance abuse or domestic violence, Medicaid may pay for a limited number of counseling visits if recommended by a health care professional.

Community resources are often available and are sometimes available at no charge (for instance, Alcoholics Anonymous support groups are free). Supportive Services may assist clients with co-pays and the cost of visits recommended by health professionals, but not covered by Medicaid.

Disabled clients who need assistance in applying for SSI Supplemental Security Income benefits may receive counseling services to fund individualized assistance and benefits counseling. Assistance in applying for SSI and benefits counseling is sometimes provided by non-profit agencies (such as the Disability Law Center) for free. Supportive Services may be used when the vendor’s service is the client’s best bet at establishing eligibility for SSI benefits.

Driver's license (DL);

If the client lacks a driver's license and needs one to engage in assigned activities, then authorize payment for the actual cost of fees charged by the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles.

The cost of a commercial driver’s license, or other license needed to enter a driving occupation, must be paid through the "Professional License" Supportive Service.

Note:

This Supportive Service cannot be used to pay fines associated with a license revoked by court-order (for example: fines to be paid in order to get a license after conviction for DWI).

Emergency Shelter (ES);

Housing must be addressed immediately during the intake assessment. As soon as a family presents with a housing need, every effort should be made to assist them in finding or maintaining safe and affordable housing, including referral to housing assistance and assisting with application if necessary.

If a family is homeless refer them to a shelter, if space at a shelter is not available in your community, or their place on a Housing Assistance wait list makes it unlikely that they will receive subsidized housing assistance soon, every effort should be made to help the family find an alternate housing arrangement. Options include family, friends, relocation or finding an apartment with a short-term or monthly lease which would help build positive rental references.

When due diligence has been exercised and no alternative resources or shelter can be found, it is appropriate to provide emergency shelter Supportive Services. Emergency shelter is intended to:

1. To assist clients who are working or pursuing employment with moving to a place closer to their work or potential employment. This is intended for clients whose commute to work and child care is excessively long, prohibitively expensive, or a challenge to self-sufficiency.

2. To assist clients who are engaged in full time activities with high costs of initially securing housing such as paying first and last month’s rent.

3. To assist families who have already paid rent, but who have an immediate need to change their housing situation to accept employment, to escape domestic violence, or to leave unsafe living conditions.

4. To pay unmet housing costs caused by unanticipated losses of income. This should only be done when there are no other resources available and a family's living arrangement is in jeopardy.

Note:

This Supportive Service is to help families with an immediate emergency, or one-time need for initial funds to secure housing, using emergency shelter funds in excess of one month is not appropriate.  This service cannot be used to pay refundable damage and/or pet deposits.

Gas for Vehicles (GV);

For clients who have their own vehicle, gas vouchers (or cards) may be used to subsidize their fuel expenses. While this is one of the most common and important Supportive Services Work Services offers, it should not be provided to clients automatically.

As working clients increase their income, they should be able to pay for more of their own transportation expenses. Help clients budget for ongoing fuel costs, pay what they are able, and plan for when this Supportive Service is no longer available to them.

Grooming (G);

Grooming Supportive Services typically include haircuts and style, or beard grooming. Pay for grooming costs, if doing so improves the client’s chances at getting, or if needed, to accept paid employment.

Interview Clothing (IC);

To be successful in work search, clients must wear the appropriate clothes. Clearly, what is appropriate for an interview depends entirely upon the job the client is applying for and the customs of the local labor market. Advise the client to use discretion in selecting clothing so that the clothing need can be met at a reasonable cost. Clients may also choose among approved vendors to find the clothes that best suit their need for the best price.

Authorization of interview clothing must be directly related to an appointment for an interview. Only the clothing essential for success at the interview can be authorized. This is not a general clothing allowance.

For clothing allowance see Special Tools, Clothing & Equipment.

Professional License (PL);

Professional licenses encompass a range of occupations, from plumbers to Certified Nurse’s Aide. Pay the cost of a professional or commercial license if the client needs one to engage in a specific occupation.

Pay the actual cost of the license as charged by the Alaska Division of Occupational Licensing

Relocation (RL);

So the client can take part in a specialized and locally unavailable training or work experience activity that leads directly to a paid employment opportunity in the community they intend to live in.

Before authorizing Relocation Supportive Services, ask the following questions:

1. Can the client get a job where they currently live? Compare the local job market - current openings and potential jobs over the next six months - to the client’s employment qualifications – work history, education/training, skills, knowledge and abilities.

2. What has the client done to find work locally? Has the client been actively seeking work? Is an OJT On the Job Training with a local employer feasible? Is there suitable training that would help the client get a job locally?

3. Will the client be able to go to work (or training) as soon as they relocate? Are there other reasons the client is requesting to leave the area such as substance abuse, DV or other issues that need to be addressed before the client is ready for employment? Are there legal issues that preclude relocation? Does the client have a current resume, social security card, driver’s license and other necessary documents and certificates required for the specific job, or the types of jobs they will seek? If for a training or educational opportunity, are they committed and how will they pay for the training they want to attend?

4. Will this job advance them in their goal to achieve self -sufficiency?

5. If the client does not have a job already what are the client’s job opportunities in the area where the client wants to reside? Does the client clearly meet the requirements for jobs available in that community? Have they applied for any jobs long-distance (on-line, fax, phone interviews)?

6. Do they have a plan and are there resources to meet their family’s needs in the new community? Is there family or friend the new location? Where will they live, how will they get to work, is there child care available?

7. What are the alternatives to paying for travel? Does the client have other resources – PFD Permenant Fund Dividend, tax return, etc?

When authorizing payment for relocation:

1. Out-of-state moving costs may not be authorized;

2. The assigned activity or employment opportunity must remain unavailable in the client's community of residence, or within a reasonable commute from their residence;

3. Use the least costly means of relocation;

4. Check with the Work Services supervisor before authorizing.

Monetary Limit for Relocation:

No more than $3,000.00 per program year (July 1 through June 30) may be authorized for this service.

Post-Employment Services (PO)

Post-employment job retention and wage advancement services are part of Work Services. Only use this support to fund services which are beyond the scope of Temporary Assistance Work Services and have supervisor approval. Examples of Post-Employment Services include specialized on-the-job evaluation or coaching.

Post-Employment Services (PO)

Post-employment job retention and wage advancement services are part of Work Services. Only use this support to fund services which are beyond the scope of Temporary Assistance Work Services and have supervisor approval. Examples of Post-Employment Services include specialized on-the-job evaluation or coaching.