1007          PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS

Federal law (45 CFR 261.13) requires that TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families eligible clients participate in self-sufficiency planning and work activities and also cooperate with child support collection agencies. If an individual fails to comply without good cause, see MS 1006, DPADivision of Public Assistance may reduce the amount of assistance otherwise payable to the family.

Penalties enforce the expectation that families participate in program requirements. Non-compliance may mean that the client is choosing not to participate or it may mean that good cause exists for the failure to participate. If the penalty is imminent, it is the case manager's responsibility to work with the family to determine if any good cause exists or to resolve the non-compliance before the penalty takes effect. A penalty is only imposed when all other efforts to engage the family have failed.