N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.461.15 - JOB SEARCH AND JOB READINESS ASSISTANCE (CORE ACTIVITY)

A. Job search includes the acts of seeking or obtaining employment, and preparation to seek or obtain employment.

B. General:

(1) Countable hours for looking for job openings, making contact with potential employers, applying for vacancies and interviewing for jobs, and in labor market training will be determined by actual hours spent engaged in these activities. Travel time between these activities does count as actual hours of participation, except the travel time to and from home.

(2) Job search hours are countable in meeting the core work requirement hours for an individual with the following limitations:

(a) a single parent with a child under the age of six cannot participate for more than 80 consecutive hours and not to exceed 120 hours in the preceding 12 months; or

(b) a single parent with a dependent child over age six cannot participate for more than 120 consecutive hours and not to exceed 180 hours in a preceding 12 months;

(c) in either of the above circumstances participation shall not exceed four consecutive weeks of engagement in job search and job readiness; and

(d) in either of the above circumstance participation shall not exceed six weeks of engagement in job search and job readiness.

(3) Needy state status: If New Mexico is determined to be a needy state as determined by the United States department of health and human services the maximum number of hours allowed for participation is as follows:

(a) a single parent with a child under age of six cannot participate for more than 80 consecutive hour and not to exceed 240 hours in the preceding 12 months; and

(b) a single parent with a dependent child over age six cannot participate for more than 120 consecutive hours and not to exceed 360 hours in the preceding 12 months.

C. Component activities: The following shall be considered as qualified participation hours for job search and job readiness.

(1) Participation in parenting classes, money management classes or life skills training.

(2) Participation in an alcohol or drug addiction program where a qualified health or social professional provides verification that such treatment or activity is necessary.

(3) Participation in job search including searching for job openings, applying for jobs and interviewing for positions.

(4) Addressing domestic violence issues/barriers:

(a) Participants who have significant barriers to employment because of domestic violence or abuse may participate in domestic violence work activity to receive services focused on assisting the participant to overcome the effects of domestic violence and abuse. Participants engaged in this activity may reside in a domestic violence shelter or may receive services while residing elsewhere. The primary focus of such services is on helping the participant to move into employment. Domestic violence is a temporary work-readiness activity limited to no more than 24 weeks.

(b) The need for domestic violence services can be identified at any point, starting with the resource planning session up to the point at which the case is scheduled for closure. Services are provided by local agencies or programs through referral.

(c) Domestic violence activity can include a mix of domestic violence services and other work program activities. At no point shall a victim of domestic violence be required to carry out any activity which puts the participant at risk of further violence. Domestic violence participation can include:

(i) emergency shelter or re-location assistance;

(ii) child care;

(iii) personal, family and career counseling; and

(iv) participating in criminal justice activities directed at prosecuting the perpetrator.

D. Supervision and documentation:

(1) Verification of activities shall be required to determine that a participant has satisfactorily completed the hours by participating in one or several of the component criteria.

(2) Participation requirement hours shall be considered based on actual supervised hours documented on a monthly timesheet.

(3) Job search and job readiness assistance activities must be supervised by the NMW service provider or other responsible party on an ongoing basis no less frequently than daily.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.461.15

8.102.461.15 NMAC - Rp, 8.102.460.24 NMAC, 4/1/2012