Section 400.3608. Financial assistance penalties.

Rule 8. (1) A noncompliance penalty is imposed in the following situations:

(a)     A non-deferred group member fails, without good cause, to participate in employment related activities as required.

(b)   A group member who is meeting the federal work requirements by working the minimum number of hours and any of the following provisions apply:

(i)   The group member fails to accept suitable employment up to 40 hours per week without good cause, unless the department determines that the employment would interfere with the individual's attendance at, or successful completion of, a self-initiated education or job training program that the department has approved and the client is meeting the federal work requirement.

(ii)   The group member voluntarily leaves a job without good cause.

(iii)     The group member voluntarily reduces hours of employment without good cause.

(iv)      The group member is terminated from employment for misconduct or absenteeism without good cause.

(2)   If the noncompliance is based on 1 or more of the following instances, then the group is ineligible for the family independence program and related food assistance for 30 days:

(a)   Voluntarily leaving a job.

(b)   Being terminated from employment for misconduct or absenteeism without good cause.

(c)   Voluntarily reducing hours of employment or otherwise reduce earnings.

(d)   Refusing to accept suitable employment up to 40 hours per week, unless the department determines that the employment would interfere with the individual’s attendance at, or successful completion of, a self-initiated education or job training program that the department has approved and the client is meeting the federal work requirement.

(3)   The department shall impose a penalty described in sub rule (1) of this rule for at least 1 month or 2 pay periods.

History: 1997 AACS; 2014 AACS.