Section 468-4-002 - MANDATORY PARTICIPATION All individuals who are defined as a work-eligible individual are required to participate in the Employment First program
002.01WORK-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL. The following are included in the definition of a work-eligible individual:(A) An adult receiving Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance;(B) A minor parent who is the head-of-household receiving Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance;(C) A non-recipient parent living with his or her child(ren) who is receiving Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance and whose needs are not included in the Aid to Dependent Children budget with a reason of: (i) Convicted drug felon;(ii) Third Party Medical sanction;(iii) Intentional Program Violation sanction;(v) Social Security Number sanction; or(vi) Misrepresenting Residence sanction.(D) A dependent child age 16, 17, or 18 who quits school or reduces hours under full-time status according to the educational institution's standards. This dependent child remains a work-eligible individual even if he or she returns to school.002.02EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF A WORK-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL. The following are excluded from the definition of a work-eligible individual:(A) A minor parent who is not head-of-household;(B) A non-recipient parent living with his or her child(ren) who is receiving Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance when the parent is a non-citizen and ineligible to receive Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance due to his or her immigration status;(C) A parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home who does not attend school on a full-time basis;(D) An individual in a family receiving assistance under an approved Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program;(E) A non-recipient parent living with his or her child(ren) who is receiving Aid to Dependent Children cash assistance when the parent is receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance; or(F) A dependent child age 16, 17, or 18 who is a full-time student and regularly attending an elementary or secondary school according to the educational institution's standards, or a dependent child age 16 or 17 who is a full-time student and regularly attending college. If the child is enrolled full-time for the next school term, the child's attendance in the first month of the school term must be verified.002.03MINIMUM HOURS OF PARTICIPATION. Only actual hours of participation can count towards the minimum number of hours of participation required in approved Employment First component activities. 002.03(A)SINGLE-PARENT AND NEEDY CARETAKER FAMILIES. An individual is required to participate a minimum of 30 hours per week in approved Employment First component activities. An individual counts as engaged in the minimum number of hours required for a month if he or she participates in approved Employment First component activities during the month for at least an average of 30 hours per week. At least 20 hours per week must come from participation in core activities. Above 20 hours per week can come from non-core activities.002.03(B)SINGLE-PARENT AND NEEDY CARETAKER WITH A CHILD BETWEEN 12 WEEKS AND SIX YEARS OF AGE. A single custodial parent or needy caretaker relative, guardian, or conservator whose youngest child is at least 12 weeks but under six years of age is required to participate a minimum of 20 hours per week in approved Employment First component activities. An individual counts as engaged in the minimum number of hours required for a month if he or she participates in approved EF Employment First component activities during the month for at least an average of 20 hours per week. At least 20 hours per week must come from participation in core activities.002.03(C)TWO-PARENT FAMILIES. Two-parent families are required to participate a minimum of 35 combined hours per week. Participation must be in approved Employment First component activities. A two-parent family counts as engaged in the minimum number of hours required for a month if the parent(s) participate in approved Employment First component activities during the month for at least an average of 35 combined hours per week. For a two-parent household at least 30 hours per week must come from participation in core activities. Above 30 hours a week can come from non-core activities. 002.03(C)(i)MINOR PARENT HEAD-OF-HOUSEHOLD. A minor parent head-of-household in a two-parent family when the other parent is also a minor is required to participate a minimum of 30 hours per week in approved Employment First component activities. A minor parent head-of-household counts as engaged in the minimum number of hours required for a month if he or she participates in approved Employment First component activities during the month for at least an average of 30 hours per week. At least 20 hours per week must come from participation in core activities. Above 20 hours per week can come from non-core activities.002.03(D)SPECIAL RULE FOR EDUCATION. The following applies to individuals age 19 or younger who are single-parents or needy caretaker head-of-household's, a parent in a two-parent family. It also applies to dependent children who are required to participate in the Employment First program. 002.03(D)(i) The individual is deemed to have met the minimum number of hours of participation required for the month if he or she is maintaining satisfactory full-time attendance in the Satisfactory Attendance at Secondary School or in a Course of study Leading to a Certificate of General Equivalence component during the month.002.03(D)(ii) An individual is deemed to have met the minimum number of hours of participation required for the month if he or she or she is participating in the Education Directly Related to Employment component for at least 20 hours per week during the month.468 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 4, § 002
Adopted effective 8/29/2022