CAMTL 94 (Ohio Works First Employment Incentive Pilot Program)
Cash Assistance Manual Transmittal Letter No. 94
September 10, 2014
TO: All Cash Assistance Manual Holders All Food Assistance Certification Handbook Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: Ohio Works First Employment Incentive Pilot Program

Background

On June 16, 2014, Governor Kasich signed House Bill 483, which requires the Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to establish the Ohio Works First (OWF) Employment Incentive Pilot Program. The Pilot Program will operate for three years in five participating counties. The intent of the Pilot Program is to provide a cash incentive payment to caseworkers in participating counties that help Ohio Works First (OWF) participants find employment that leads to the participant losing OWF eligibility for at least six months due to an increase in earned income.

In order to begin making incentive payments as soon as possible in state fiscal year 2015, ODJFS will begin working with the participating counties as soon as possible.

Eligibility for the Incentive

While House Bill 483 does not define a "caseworker" for purposes of the Pilot Project, it clearly intends for individuals that helped the OWF participant find employment to be eligible for the incentive. The rule clarifies this provision by requiring each individual the county agency expects to assist the OWF participant in finding employment to sign the individual's self-sufficiency contract. "Assisting the participant" includes, but is not limited to: conducting the appraisal and assessment of the OWF participant; developing the OWF participant's self-sufficiency contract and plan; and providing supportive services to the OWF participant. There is no limit to the number of individuals that may sign the self-sufficiency contract and the incentive payment will be equally divided between the individuals that sign.

Payment of the Incentive

The incentive payment may only be paid when there is funding available and when the individual(s) that signed the self-sufficiency contract can provide verification that the OWF participant that also signed the contract: was assigned to at least one core work activity; was determined to no longer be eligible for OWF due to income earned; had received OWF benefits for at least three consecutive months prior to termination; and since being terminated, had remained ineligible for OWF for six consecutive months. During the six month period, the former OWF participant may not have been: denied OWF benefits for any other reason than excess income; serving a disqualification period due to an intentional program violation; have otherwise been ineligible for OWF due to the time limit; subject to a sanction or penalty; or receiving fair hearing benefits.

Funding for the Incentive

House Bill 483 requires ODJFS to allocate $50,000 from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) administration appropriation to each of the five participating county agencies for state fiscal year 2015. The incentive payments and any administrative costs incurred by the participating counties as part of the Pilot Program must be deducted from the $50,000 allocation.

The incentive payment is set at $300 for assisting a single parent household and $600 for assisting a two-parent household.

Participating County Agencies

The five participating county agencies have not yet been determined. Once the county agencies are identified, ODJFS will issue an action change transmittal. Participating county agencies will be required to maintain documentation of each incentive payment made from its allocation. Additionally, county agencies must: develop a process for processing incentive payments; process incentive payments within 30 days; and provide monthly reports to ODJFS.