The Commissioner or designee may extend benefits beyond the
24-month period under certain circumstances. A nonexempt grantee granted an
extension must meet all other program requirements. Requests for extensions
will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis. Granted extensions may
be reviewed and revised as the Commissioner or designee deems
appropriate.
An individual may request an extension of benefits beyond the
24-month period after a nonexempt grantee has used 22 months of time-limited
benefits, or at any time when an individual has already received 24 months of
time-limited benefits.
(A)
Requirements.
(1)
Before determining whether or not to approve an extension, the Commissioner or
designee shall consider:
(a) the degree that
a nonexempt grantee has and is cooperating, with the Department in work-related
activities. Work-related activities are those which are intended to lead to
full-time employment;
(b) whether
the nonexempt grantee has been sanctioned or has otherwise failed to cooperate
with the Department's rules and regulations;
(c) whether the grantee received and/or
rejected job offers reduced his or her employment hours or quit a job without
good cause as specified in
106 CMR
701.380:
Good Cause
Criteria, or has been fired for cause;
(d) whether appropriate job opportunities
currently exist locally. A job opportunity is appropriate when the grantee
meets the minimum requirements for a job;
(e) whether suitable state-standard child
care (including special needs care) is available during the grantee's hours of
employment and commuting time; and
(f) whether the client demonstrated a good
faith effort to meet his or her economic independence goals. If a client has
not demonstrated a good faith effort, but is otherwise found eligible for an
extension under 703.130(A)(1)(a), (c) through (f), the Commissioner, in his or
her discretion, may continue to provide benefits on behalf of any dependent
children.
(2) A nonexempt
grantee who is participating in an approved education or training activity at
the end of the 24-month period may be granted a three month extension to
complete the activity. If necessary, a second three month extension may be
granted to complete the activity.
(3) A nonexempt grantee who is working full
time (35 hours per week), requests an extension and is otherwise eligible,
shall be granted an extension.
(B)
Conditions of
Extension.
(1) Each extension is
limited to a period of up to three months.
(2) In addition to the requirements specified
in 106 CMR
703.130, all TAFDC financial and nonfinancial eligibility
requirements must be met to qualify for and continue to receive an
extension.
(3) There is no limit to
the number of extensions for which an assistance unit may qualify.
(C)
Extension
Activities. The Department will determine which activities the
nonexempt grantee should participate with the goal of obtaining full-time
employment. These activities may include:
(1)
a vocational evaluation;
(2)
referral, enrollment and participation in a vocational program specified by the
Department or employment subsidized through the grantee's TAFDC
grant;
(3) job search or structured
job search; and
(4) other
activities deemed appropriate by the Department.
In a two-parent assistance unit, each nonexempt grantee must
participate in the activities listed in 106 CMR 703.130(C)(1) through
(4).
