Department of Transitional Assistance TAFDC Orientation

Department of Transitional Assistance

DTA’s mission is to assist and empower low-income families and individuals to meet their basic needs, improve their quality

of life and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.

Why am I here?

• Learn about the Employment Services Program (ESP)

• Find help getting a job • Get information about ESP supports • Get answers to any questions you

may have

Your Future

For many of you, TAFDC benefits will only be available for a limited time period.

Think about you and your family’s future now! Use this time to take advantage of the Employment Services

Program, develop skills, prepare for self-sufficiency and build your income and assets.

What is the Employment Services Program?

The Employment Services Program (ESP) is made up of various activities to prepare you for transitioning off of TAFDC benefits. ESP activities include: • Employment Ready (job search) • Employment Training and Education (includes ESOL classes, basic education, certificate programs & college) • Employment Supports • Enhanced Employment Supports • Young Parents Program (for clients up to age 24 who do not have their high school diploma or want to pursue post-secondary education) • Community Service • DTA Works (an internship program)

Why Should I Participate in ESP?

• Benefits are not forever

• Education & Training will prepare you for good jobs

• Employment will increase your income and financial security

• You are leading by example and building a better future for you and your family

What ESP Supports Will I Get?

If you are seeking or participating in an ESP activity you may be eligible for the following supports: • Stable Child Care • Transportation Assistance • Hi-Set (GED) Voucher • Learning Disability Assessment Enrolling in ESP and having supports in place means you can take advantage of training and work opportunities when they come up!

Providing Stability to Families

Child Care To support you on your path to economic mobility no fee child care is now more stable. • If you are required to participate in an activity you may

be eligible for up to 3 months of child care while you find the program that is right for you and for your child

• Once you are enrolled in an approved activity you may be eligible for at least 12 months of no fee child care

Work Program Requirement

Many of you must participate in ESP because you are Work Program Required.

If you do not meet your Work Program Requirement, your benefits can be lowered or terminated. This is called a sanction.

You can meet your work program requirement by seeking or participating in an ESP activity, seeking work or working for pay or a combination of activities.

I Cannot Meet Participation Because…

If you feel you have a good reason for not meeting the Work Program requirement, talk to DTA, you may have Good Cause. Good cause reasons include:• lack of appropriate and available child care;• lack of affordable and reliable transportation;• lack of an available and appropriate community service site; • a disability or illness (either yours or a household member’s); • domestic violence; or• other reasons approved by the Department (such as a family crisis, emergency or a

fire).

Let DTA know right away if you need helpparticipating. We wantyou to be successful!

When You Start a New Job

You may have questions:

• How will my new job affect my benefits?

• Will I be able to pay my rent, bills and support my family?

DTA can help you with budgeting and planning for your future.

Promoting Work

• To help you gain economic mobility before leaving TAFDC, DTA will not count any of your earned income for up to six months from your employment start date as long as you are on the grant and your total household income does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

• This is an opportunity to increase your hours or

find a career path while receiving the supports that come with TAFDC.

Let Us Know if You Start Working

If your TAFDC case closes with verified earned income you may still be eligible for some benefits! Giving DTA your wage information is extremely important! We want to help you succeed in your new job! So, before asking to close your case or missing a reevaluation find out what services are available. Don’t lose out!

Promoting Saving

To help you in achieving economic stability, DTA will also let you keep assets of up to $5,000 while still remaining eligible for TAFDC. Because we will not be counting your earned income for six months, this allows you to work and save more of your income.

“Earn More----Save More”

Life After TAFDC

Some of the benefits you may be eligible for if your TAFDC closes with verified earnings are: • Transitional Child Care referral • Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA) SNAP • Mass Health • Earned Income Tax Credit • Direct Child Support

Transitional Support Services (TSS)

When your TAFDC case closes with verified earnings, and remains closed for one month, each employed adult household member that was on the grant can receive Transitional Support Services (TSS) for up to 4 months. TSS is not a TAFDC benefit, it is a stipend to assist you as you move into employment and towards economic independence. TSS consists of two payments: a Work Related Expense Stipend and a Transportation Stipend. Work Related Expense Stipend Transportation Stipend Month 1 $200 Month 1 $80 Month 2 $150 Month 2 $60 Month 3 $100 Month 3 $40 Month 4 $50 Month 4 $20

Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC)

• EITC are state and federal credits which contribute to your tax refund – In 2016, the average combined state and federal

EITC was worth more than $4,000*

You could qualify if… • You worked in the previous year, had children living

with you and made less than $50,000 in income, or; • You did not have children living with you and made

less than $15,000 in income *for a parent of 2 who works a full-time job at minimum wage ($11/hour)

Keep Yourself Informed

DTA and You…

Your key to success!

Slide Number 1Department of Transitional AssistanceWhy am I here?Your FutureWhat is the Employment Services Program? Why Should I Participate in ESP?What ESP Supports Will I Get?Providing Stability to FamiliesWork Program RequirementI Cannot Meet Participation Because…When You Start a New JobPromoting WorkLet Us Know if You Start WorkingPromoting SavingLife After TAFDCTransitional Support Services (TSS)Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC)Keep Yourself InformedDTA and You…

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