Individuals eligible for TANF, excluded from Diversion and mandatory to participate in work or work related activities may be referred to the Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) contractor. The hours of participation are determined by the household composition for TANF. SNAP-only recipients must participate for the hours of the program as indicated on an EDP.
Individuals who are eligible for EARN are:
Receiving TANF at the time of enrollment.
Receiving Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits, or non–Cash Assistance and SNAP benefits.
An able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD).
A non-assistance custodial or noncustodial parent of one or more children under the age of 18 who are not emancipated.
Otherwise referred or assigned to the EARN by the CAO. TANF participants who do not meet the criteria for a CAO- directed activity should be referred to a contracted E & T program as long as they have not exceeded their once-in-a-year or three-in-a-lifetime enrollment limit.
EARN offers an assessment that is combined with a system of work activities. An important element of EARN is the development of individualized plans that combine education, training, and work activity programs for individuals needing remediation. These programs are designed to enable individuals to obtain job skills and to improve basic math and literacy skills.
Individual applies for TANF or a recipient’s good cause,exemption or sanction ends. Following a sanction the individual will not be eligible for a referral to a contracted program until the next program year.
Complete or update the AMR.
Complete a referral in eCIS by entering "D" on the ETP Project Enrollment screen.
AMR ( PA 1661).
Individual Non-Fin Questions screen.
Enter ETP code 60.
ETP Project Enrollment screen.
Open Project D.
Enter the referral date.
Enter the appointment date.
Update as necessary or required.
Individual who has received more than 1,830 days of TANF may be eligible to enroll in EARN. However, the expected hours of participation is 30 hours per week, unless the individual has good cause.
Complete the compliance review:
Individual is terminated from program. Schedule the compliance review interview. Send PA 1706.
CAO reviews the case and conducts the compliance review.
Good Cause determined, refer to the same contracted program during a program year. Enrollment to a different program may not occur until the following program year.
Notify contractor that good cause was determined and the individual will be referred back to the program as a continuous enrollment.
Sanction imposed, referral to a contracted program is not an option until the next program year. Individual participates in CAO- directed activity.
Send an Advance Notice (PA 162A).
Conduct a partial renewal no earlier than 7days.
Individual attends= refer to the appropriate program.
Individual doesn't attend= Advance Notice (PA 162A) to close budget.
Individual doesn't sign AMR= Advance Notice (PA 162A) to close budget.
Updated April 11, 2013, replacing May 11, 2012