Policy  Directive                                                                            Issuance Number: TEA 02-07

Transitional Employment Assistance Manual      Issuance Date: 11/22/02

From: Joni Jones, Director                                       Expiration Date: Until Superseded

Subj: Definition-Disabled Parent/Two Parent Family

As you know, we are continuing to work on our goal of increasing and meeting the two-parent participation rate requirement.  On-going activities include training on two-parent participation, monitoring of two-parent cases, developing supportive programs targeting two parent families and increasing work opportunities and supports for two parent families.  These actions continue to be a support in increasing the rate.  As we continue to identify ways of meeting this goal, we have reviewed our current definition of a disabled parent in a two-parent family and determined that a revision should be made.

Effective immediately upon receipt of this directive, a disabled parent for purposes of the two-parent participation rate means:

·        a parent with a long term disability as determined by ARS; or

·        a parent with an alleged long-term disability who has been referred to ARS and the results are pending; or

·        a parent with a short-term medical incapacity. 

Any two-parent family in which one parent meets the above definition will be subject to the single parent participation requirements.  The participating adult will, however, be encouraged to participate as many hours as possible (up to forty) over the minimum so that once the deferral period has ended, the two parent participation requirement can be met with less difficulty.

All two-parent cases should be reviewed to determine the appropriate work activity requirement based on this change.

This directive supersedes any previously issued clarification regarding the definition of a disabled parent for work participation requirements.

Inquiries to:       Lorie Williams, TEA Unit, 682-8256

                        Gerry Reed, TEA Unit, 682-8253

                        Paula Gentry, TEA Unit, 682-8182

                        Renee Green, TEA Unit, 682-8266