1004-1          WHEN TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

1004-1 A.      REQUESTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Supportive Services are expected to be provided in a proactive manner according to the client's current or anticipated need, and must include consideration of local resources and partner agencies that can provide services without charge or in partnership. The urgency of the client need must also be considered.

Case managers and clients will regularly reassess changes in circumstances and how this affects work-related needs. There are also some critical stages clients go through as they move from welfare to self-sufficiency. Some examples of times when new work related needs should be discussed are:

• Starting (or ending) a job;
• An increase or decrease in hours or wages;
• Change in job duties at work;
• When updating their Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (change work, work readiness, or family support activities);
• If the client moves;
• Gets (or loses) a vehicle; or,
• A change in who lives with them.

The client's personal resources, such as Permanent Fund Dividends (PFD) and income tax returns are to be considered prior to authorization of a service. Engage in a conversation regarding their plans for use of their financial resources early to help the client plan ahead and consider their options to maximize their resources.

Each request must be examined to determine if the client truly has a need for the service and if it will assist the family in progressing towards self-sufficiency. If the WSPWork Services Provider has questions regarding appropriateness of service use, clarification can be requested from WSTA@alaska.gov.

Thorough documentation must be noted in CLNOClient Notess for each authorization of SSSupportive Services.

1004-1 B.      WHEN TO AUTHORIZE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

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

Some agencies have their own procedures to determine when the authorize SSSupportive Services. The Work Services provider (WSP) will follow their agency's protocols as well as the guidance below.

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

• Meeting the identified need is essential to maintaining their work and/or participating in their FSSPFamily 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 changes in job advancement, increase their income, or progress in their FSSPFamily Self Sufficiency Plan; and,
• There is no other way to meet the need.

Note:

Clients are not eligible for Supportive Services while in penalty until they express willingness to re-engage in their plan. Supportive Services must be made available as necessary for their re-engagement. Supportive Services may never be withheld to force compliance with administrative expectations, for example: turning in Work Verification paperwork.

1004-1 C.      SEEKING ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES

Before providing SSSupportive Services payments, case managers will work with the client to explore alternative resources available to meet the need. This process includes:

• Problem solving - help families to anticipate problems and identify solutions for future needs. Even when the Case Manager provides SSSupportive 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 SSSupportive 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 clients should be able to identify their network of family and friends who may be able to help; and,
• 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 who to access that organization resources when they are self-sufficient and Work Services are no longer available.

1004-1 D.      INVESTIGATION OF ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES

Case managers will work with clients to ensure they identify and use resources other than SSSupportive Services whenever possible. However, investigation of 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 SSSupportive Services, consider the following:

• Discuss the situation with involved partner agency staff or staff the WSPWork Services Provider team who might offer helpful information or perspectives;
• Talk with a supervisor about the case; and,
• Be as specific as possible in identifying why a 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.

1004-1 E.      DENIAL OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

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

1004-1 F.      LIMITS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

There are no caps on how much an individual client can receive in SSSupportive Services per program year. However, SS funds are a finite resource. Each agency shall have protocols in place to manage their budgets to ensure SSSupportive Services are available to all clients throughout the program year. Some Supportive Service categories have maximum allotments as defined in MS 1004-2.

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. Supportive Services may be provided during the Post-TATemporary Assistance period if the client demonstrates the need for assistance in connection to maintaining employment or advancing on the job. If a case closes because they no longer have an eligible child in the home, as opposed to closed with employment, they are not eligible for Post-TATemporary Assistance. However, if a case closes with employment, and the eligible child has an allowable absence from the home the client may continue to receive Post-TATemporary Assistance SSSupportive Services for the remainder of the 12 months, see ATAP MS 711-7.