It is our current policy to prioritize resources for current TANF and support former TANF only when there is availability of sufficient resources.
Students who have been awarded WorkFirst Financial Aid as former TANF are still eligible for the resource (funding permitting) for Fall Quarter attendance. All ability to serve former TANF ceases January, 1, 2011.
In order to implement the prioritization of funding for services, we have previously suggested colleges create a campus policy that clearly identifies
1) who has priority for WorkFirst funding,
2) how funding wait lists are developed (when applicable) and managed, and
3) all other pertinent information related to enrollment, class wait lists, and the process for notification of awards.
Without such a policy in place, colleges are obligated (at least to the extent of “may”) by the current WAC 388-310-1800, WorkFirst-Post employment Services which identifies, but is not limited to, the following:
"b) Any Washington state technical and community college can approve a skill-training program for you that will help you advance up the career ladder. Their staff will talk to you, help you decide what training would work best for you and then help you get enrolled in these programs. The college may approve the following types of training for you at any certified institution:
(i) High school/GED,
(ii) Vocational education training,
(iii) Job skills training,
(iv) Adult basic education,
(v) English as a second language training, or
(vi) Pre-employment training."
We would suggest that colleges doing what they can to assist Former TANF students to transition to federal financial aid or another funding source.
Secondly, you may also want to consider the students’ likelihood of transitioning to another funding source when the college is prioritizing students for funding.
Providing funding for just the first quarter of an intended year-long program could be counter-productive to the intended program completion or transition.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Must WF parents have Social Security Numbers (SSN) to receive WF educational services? Get Financial Aid?
Upon review of the current WAC, copied in full below, the necessity of the SSN for service eligibility and financial aid eligibility was clear.
We will continue to ask questions of DSHS, but it would appear that the requirement of a SSN is more than an administrative function to process financial aid.
It would seem parents without an SSN would not be required to fulfill a work component, and therefore are also not eligible for tuition assistance as a TANF recipient.
We have continued to follow up with DSHS and have posed an inquiry regarding the ability to serve parents who have not yet been provided a social security number.
Previously, we had been advised there would be either a new SSN number provided (as in the case of relocated domestic violence victims) or one issued at the time services are rendered(in the case of human trafficking victims).
Here is what WAC 388-476-0005, which governs SSN requirements, says:
WAC 388-476-0005 Social Security number requirements.
(1) With certain exceptions, each person who applies for or receives cash, medical or food assistance benefits must provide to the department a Social Security number (SSN), or numbers if more than one has been issued.
(2) If the person is unable to provide the SSN, either because it is not known or has not been issued, the person must:
(a) Apply for the SSN;
(b) Provide proof that the SSN has been applied for; and
(c) Provide the SSN when it is received.
(3) Assistance will not be delayed, denied or terminated pending the issuance of an SSN by the Social Security Administration. However, a person who does not comply with these requirements is not eligible for assistance.
(4) For cash, medical, and food assistance benefits, a person cannot be disqualified from receiving benefits for refusing to apply for or supply an SSN based on religious grounds.
(5) For food assistance programs:
(a) A person can receive benefits for the month of application and the following month if the person attempted to apply for the SSN and made every effort to provide the needed information to the Social Security Administration.
(b) A newborn may receive benefits for up to six months from the date of birth if the household is unable to provide proof of application for an SSN at the time of birth.
(6) For medical programs, a newborn as described in WAC 388-505-0210(1) is eligible for categorically needy (CN) medical without meeting the SSN requirement until the baby's first birthday.
(7) There is no SSN requirement for the following programs:
(a) The consolidated emergency assistance program;
(b) The refugee cash and medical assistance program;
(c) The alien emergency medical program;
(d) The state-funded pregnant woman program; and
(e) Detoxification services.
We will continue to ask questions of DSHS, but it would appear that the requirement of a SSN is more than an administrative function to process financial aid.
It would seem parents without an SSN would not be required to fulfill a work component, and therefore are also not eligible for tuition assistance as a TANF recipient.
We have continued to follow up with DSHS and have posed an inquiry regarding the ability to serve parents who have not yet been provided a social security number.
Previously, we had been advised there would be either a new SSN number provided (as in the case of relocated domestic violence victims) or one issued at the time services are rendered(in the case of human trafficking victims).
Here is what WAC 388-476-0005, which governs SSN requirements, says:
WAC 388-476-0005 Social Security number requirements.
(1) With certain exceptions, each person who applies for or receives cash, medical or food assistance benefits must provide to the department a Social Security number (SSN), or numbers if more than one has been issued.
(2) If the person is unable to provide the SSN, either because it is not known or has not been issued, the person must:
(a) Apply for the SSN;
(b) Provide proof that the SSN has been applied for; and
(c) Provide the SSN when it is received.
(3) Assistance will not be delayed, denied or terminated pending the issuance of an SSN by the Social Security Administration. However, a person who does not comply with these requirements is not eligible for assistance.
(4) For cash, medical, and food assistance benefits, a person cannot be disqualified from receiving benefits for refusing to apply for or supply an SSN based on religious grounds.
(5) For food assistance programs:
(a) A person can receive benefits for the month of application and the following month if the person attempted to apply for the SSN and made every effort to provide the needed information to the Social Security Administration.
(b) A newborn may receive benefits for up to six months from the date of birth if the household is unable to provide proof of application for an SSN at the time of birth.
(6) For medical programs, a newborn as described in WAC 388-505-0210(1) is eligible for categorically needy (CN) medical without meeting the SSN requirement until the baby's first birthday.
(7) There is no SSN requirement for the following programs:
(a) The consolidated emergency assistance program;
(b) The refugee cash and medical assistance program;
(c) The alien emergency medical program;
(d) The state-funded pregnant woman program; and
(e) Detoxification services.
College Success Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships can be used by WF and low-income students to continue their college educations beyond what WF can provide.
Help your students persist! Help them transition to the next step!
Here is the contact information for Teresa Kimball. She can help you get in touch with her counterpart at the Educational Service District nearest you. The application and more information about the program is below.
Theresa Kimball
College Bound Scholarship Counselor
ESD 113 (serving Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties)
Email: tkimball@collegesuccessfoundation.org
Cell Phone: 360-701-9608
ESD address: 601 McPhee Road SW, Olympia WA 98502-5080
College Success Foundation
www.collegesuccessfoundation.org
In partnership with the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB)
www.hecb.wa.gov
College Bound Scholarship Program Q&A and Application
www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound
Help your students persist! Help them transition to the next step!
Here is the contact information for Teresa Kimball. She can help you get in touch with her counterpart at the Educational Service District nearest you. The application and more information about the program is below.
Theresa Kimball
College Bound Scholarship Counselor
ESD 113 (serving Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties)
Email: tkimball@collegesuccessfoundation.org
Cell Phone: 360-701-9608
ESD address: 601 McPhee Road SW, Olympia WA 98502-5080
College Success Foundation
www.collegesuccessfoundation.org
In partnership with the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB)
www.hecb.wa.gov
College Bound Scholarship Program Q&A and Application
www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound
Financial Literacy: www.MyMoney.gov
Below is a link to a new website that can assist families with developing financial literacy.
Several years ago there was legislation requiring that the WorkFirst partnership create a list of all financial literacy training opportunities and that the resources be made available to distribute to families upon their request.
The enhanced comprehensive evaluation still includes a question asking if this is information a family may need to assist in stabilizing their circumstances.
This online resource can be shared with your partners to add to the local resource list or it can potentially be incorporated into our Life Skills classes. As this incorporates a more universal approach it could also be of benefit for Food Stamp recipients and/or the student body at large.
The Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) announced the launch of its redesigned financial literacy education website,
www.MyMoney.gov.
Several years ago there was legislation requiring that the WorkFirst partnership create a list of all financial literacy training opportunities and that the resources be made available to distribute to families upon their request.
The enhanced comprehensive evaluation still includes a question asking if this is information a family may need to assist in stabilizing their circumstances.
This online resource can be shared with your partners to add to the local resource list or it can potentially be incorporated into our Life Skills classes. As this incorporates a more universal approach it could also be of benefit for Food Stamp recipients and/or the student body at large.
The Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) announced the launch of its redesigned financial literacy education website,
www.MyMoney.gov.
Archiving Records: Does the State Board have a standard schedule for us to follow in terms of how many years of student files must be retained?
Guidance for WorkFirst records retention is included in the WorkFirst Delivery Agreement Plan Guidance document. Additional guidance may be found on the web(address noted within the plan guidance).
You should also check with your Registrar to identify appropriate college policy for relevant document retention.
Here is what the Plan Guidance says about record retention:
RECORDS RETENTION
Financial management systems shall reflect accurate, current, and complete disclosure of all cost expenses for WorkFirst activities.
Grant recipients are to maintain books and records, supported by source documentation, that sufficiently and properly reflect the source of funds and all costs expended for program purposes.
These records and financial statements are subject to inspection, review, reproduction, and/or audit by SBCTC or its designee for at least six years after the dispersal of funds, the termination or expiration of the contract, or the resolution of litigation or audits related to the program, whichever is latest.
Additional information on records retention may be found on the web:
http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/docs/general_retention_schedule.pdf
You should also check with your Registrar to identify appropriate college policy for relevant document retention.
Here is what the Plan Guidance says about record retention:
RECORDS RETENTION
Financial management systems shall reflect accurate, current, and complete disclosure of all cost expenses for WorkFirst activities.
Grant recipients are to maintain books and records, supported by source documentation, that sufficiently and properly reflect the source of funds and all costs expended for program purposes.
These records and financial statements are subject to inspection, review, reproduction, and/or audit by SBCTC or its designee for at least six years after the dispersal of funds, the termination or expiration of the contract, or the resolution of litigation or audits related to the program, whichever is latest.
Additional information on records retention may be found on the web:
http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/docs/general_retention_schedule.pdf
I am hoping to get approval to pay some WF-funded overtime. Is this possible? What are the necessary forms and/or next steps that need to be taken?
The answer depends, first, on whether you are a CTC or a non-profit:
CTCs: Please follow established campus policies regarding approval to use federal grant funds to pay overtime compensation.
Non-profits: Please follow the guidance provided in the Workfirst Delivery Agreement Plan Guidance.
Here is What the Plan Guidance says:
Overtime Compensation – Applicable only to non-profits
Premiums for overtime, extra-pay shifts, and multi-shift work are allowable only with the prior approval of the SBCTC except:
(a) when necessary to cope with emergencies;
(b) when employees are performing indirect functions, such as administration, maintenance, or accounting;
(c) in the performance of tests, laboratory procedures, or other similar operations which are continuous in nature and cannot reasonably be interrupted;
(d) when lower overall cost to the federal government will result.
Both types of organizations should make sure that the overtime compensation should be consistent with the Plan Guidance as a whole.
CTCs: Please follow established campus policies regarding approval to use federal grant funds to pay overtime compensation.
Non-profits: Please follow the guidance provided in the Workfirst Delivery Agreement Plan Guidance.
Here is What the Plan Guidance says:
Overtime Compensation – Applicable only to non-profits
Premiums for overtime, extra-pay shifts, and multi-shift work are allowable only with the prior approval of the SBCTC except:
(a) when necessary to cope with emergencies;
(b) when employees are performing indirect functions, such as administration, maintenance, or accounting;
(c) in the performance of tests, laboratory procedures, or other similar operations which are continuous in nature and cannot reasonably be interrupted;
(d) when lower overall cost to the federal government will result.
Both types of organizations should make sure that the overtime compensation should be consistent with the Plan Guidance as a whole.
Are there any restrictions or concerns regarding hiring an AmeriCorps volunteer with WF funds?
There is difficulty in alignment with AmeriCorps. While paying wages is not an issue for WorkFirst, paying the “match” that is required for AmeriCorps participants to work for us could be problematic, since using federal funds to pay a match to another federal program is prohibited.
If you have a source of state funds that could be used for the match, then it may be viable.
AmeriCorps members work 40-hour weeks. Be aware that they have a number of AmeriCorps program obligations such as service projects, attending AmeriCorps training conferences, and working on AmeriCorps performance objectives which may or may not be congruent with WF.
If you have a source of state funds that could be used for the match, then it may be viable.
AmeriCorps members work 40-hour weeks. Be aware that they have a number of AmeriCorps program obligations such as service projects, attending AmeriCorps training conferences, and working on AmeriCorps performance objectives which may or may not be congruent with WF.
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