Welfare Transition Program (WTP) Opportunities and Obligations Acknowledgement
Your Opportunities
You have the opportunity to receive help paying for support services (if approved) to help you find employment, education, or complete other assigned activities, unless you are able to make these arrangements on your own.
Support services may include, but are not limited to:
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Tools
- Clothing
- Uniforms
Support services are based on your assigned activity and the availability of funding.
You have the right to have decisions about your case reviewed by a supervisor at the Regional Workforce Board.
You may request a hearing if you disagree with a decision about your temporary cash assistance.
You may be excused from or rescheduled for an activity if you have good cause. Good cause is determined by the Regional Workforce Board.
You may request:
- Cash Assistance Severance Benefit
- Relocation assistance
If eligible, you may receive the following services:
- Mental health counseling
- Domestic violence counseling and/or services
- Substance abuse counseling and/or services
If eligible, you may receive transitional benefits after you are no longer receiving temporary cash assistance, based on funding availability, including:
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Education and training
You may receive Medicaid and food assistance benefits, based on eligibility requirements.
Your Obligations
You are required to participate in, document, and complete all assigned program activities.
You must respond to all contacts from the Regional Workforce Board or any other agencies to which you are referred.
You must inform the Regional Workforce Board of any changes that may affect your participation, including:
- Employment status
- Family circumstances
- Change of address
- Change of telephone number
- Childcare needs
- Transportation problems
- Health problems
You must apply for and actively seek employment.
You must accept any reasonable offer of suitable employment.
You must remain employed and contact the Regional Workforce Board before reducing your hours or quitting.
You must report any good cause reasons for failure to participate immediately.
Consequences for Failure to Participate
(May Apply to BOTH Cash Assistance and Food Assistance)
Failure to meet Welfare Transition Program participation requirements may result in sanctions that affect BOTH your Cash Assistance and your Food Assistance at the same time, unless an exception applies, examples detailed below.
Sanctions increase with each occurrence of non-compliance.
Penalty Levels and Combined Sanctions
First Penalty
- Cash Assistance: Cash assistance is terminated for the entire family for a minimum of 10 days or until the individual complies, whichever is later.
- Food Assistance: Food assistance is suspended for one (1) month or until compliance, whichever is longer.
Second Penalty
- Cash Assistance: Cash assistance is terminated for the entire family for one (1) month or until the individual who failed to comply does so, whichever is later.
- Food Assistance: Food assistance is suspended for three (3) months or until compliance, whichever is longer.
Third Penalty
- Cash Assistance: Cash assistance is terminated for the entire family for three (3) months or until the individual who failed to comply does so, whichever is later.
- Food Assistance: Food assistance is suspended for six (6) months or until compliance, whichever is longer.
Important Notes and Exceptions
- Cash assistance may be continued at a level two or three penalty for children under age 16 through a protective payee.
- If the non-compliant individual is the head of household, food assistance for the entire assistance group will be terminated unless that individual meets a food assistance exemption.
- Unless exempt, participants must come into compliance after the sanction period ends and before benefits can be restored.
Participant Acknowledgement
I have received a copy of and reviewed the Opportunities and Obligations. I understand my rights and responsibilities as a participant in the Welfare Transition Program.
