Good Cause for TAFDC Rules
For a client that is subject to the work, school or other TAFDC program rules, there may be a reason why they are having difficulty meeting a program rule, enrolling in an activity or meeting the requirements of their Pathways to Work Plan. These reasons may allow the client to claim good cause. When it appears that a client is having difficulty meeting program rules, case managers and engagement staff must discuss with them what challenge/s they may be having and determine if good cause exists.
The Department may approve good cause to remove a work or school rule sanction that is pending or already authorized. This is done on the Sanctions page.
To prevent future work rule or school requirement sanction for any good cause reason, staff must enter a Compliance Reason and the expected end date in the Work Requirements TAFDC page. See Using Meets Compliance.
If a client is not meeting a TAFDC rule, you must attempt to have a conversation with the client and determine if a good cause reason for not meeting the program rule exists. If additional proof is needed, you must generate a Verification Checklist (VC-1) to request verification that supports the good cause claim. The verification required will depend upon the good cause reason claimed.
No Child Care Available
Good cause exists if appropriate child care is not available, unavailable during the client’s hours of training or employment (including reasonable time to transport child to care) or arrangements for child care have not yet been established or have been disrupted.
Appropriate child care includes state-licensed programs (i.e., family child care, group and school age childcare programs) and those that are exempt from licensure by the state. The Department may work with the local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agency and the client to determine whether the child care options are appropriate for and available to the client.
This may be verified by:
- Department staff communication with the CCRR regarding available child care programming,
- a statement from the child care provider, or
- a written statement from the client if the Department needs additional information regarding the reason child care is not available.
Family Crisis or Emergency Situation
Good cause exists if the client, a member of the client’s immediate family, or other person whose relationship to the client makes it appropriate for the client to help suffers a family crisis or emergency situation or other compelling circumstance. The Department provides good cause for a crisis or emergency that is beyond the control of the client, demands immediate attention, and prevents the client from being able to meet the work or school rules.
A family crisis or emergency situation may include:
- behavioral or school problem of a child,
- a death in the immediate family,
- a housing issue or eviction,
- an injury,
- health conditions, or
- hospitalizations or illness that temporarily prevent participation, regardless of the client’s disability exemption status.
This may be verified by:
- a written statement or telephonic self-declaration from the client describing the family crisis, emergency situation or other compelling circumstances, or
- collateral contact with a third party or an organization involved in the situation. The collateral contact should not be a family member, to the extent possible.
Learning Disability Assessment
Good cause exists for a client who has requested a Learning Disability Assessment and have been referred to Disability Evaluation Services (DES) at forHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School.
This may be verified by:
- the Department’s referral for a Learning Disability Assessment sent to DES.
Temporary Health Problem
Good cause exists if a TAFDC client states that their disability or health problem currently prevents or is expected to prevent them from being able to meet the work rules.
Important: At this time, temporary procedures for TAFDC clients who request to be excused from the work rules due to disability remain in place. See Temporary TAFDC Disability Exemption Procedures.
Good cause for a Temporary Health Problem may be verified by:
- a client’s verbal self-declaration stating they are unable to work or meet the work rules due to their health condition or disability.
No Transportation Available
Good cause exists if the client claims they lack affordable or reliable transportation, either through public transportation, their own vehicle, or other means.
This may be verified by:
- a written statement or telephonic self-declaration from the client regarding the lack of available, affordable or reliable transportation, and if necessary, supporting documents.
Participation in Housing Search
Good cause exists if the client is residing in an Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter. As part of EA shelter placement, clients must participate in housing search and certain employment activities as part of their rehousing plan.
This may be verified by:
- proof of placement in an EA shelter through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), or
- a copy of their rehousing plan with the EOHLC, or a statement from the agency providing housing search assistance to the client while they are in shelter.
Domestic Violence
Good cause exists if participation in a Pathways to Work activity or work may put them at risk of domestic violence or threatens the safety of the client and/or their child(ren). Good cause also exists if they are in the process of establishing safety and stability due to domestic violence and those activities may prevent them from being able to meet the work rules. These activities include participation in domestic violence services, getting legal assistance, seeking medical or mental health services or relocation efforts.
This may be verified by:
- a written statement or telephonic self-declaration from the client describing the current DV concerns, and a collateral contact with another person or organization with knowledge of the circumstances that support their good cause claim, or
- an active Domestic Violence waiver approved by the Department.
If good cause is discussed or granted for a client due to domestic violence, a referral to the assigned Domestic Violence Specialist should be completed. Good cause should be reviewed with the client at any time they are reporting a change to their current situation.
No Resources Available
Good cause exists if the Department is unable to locate an appropriate Pathways to Work activity for a client who is subject to work rules that meets their educational or training needs.
This may be verified by:
- confirmation from the Full Engagement Worker (FEW) or Self Sufficiency Specialists (SSS) that they have worked with the client and have been unable to connect the client to an appropriate program based on their assessed needs. This must be clearly documented in the case narrative.
No Community Service Site Available
Good cause exists if the Department is unable to locate an appropriate volunteer site for a client who is subject to work rules., and no other resources exist.
This may be verified by:
- confirmation from the FEW or SSS that they have worked with the client and have been unable to connect the client to an appropriate volunteer organization based on their assessed needs. This must be clearly documented in the case narrative.
Employment Related Circumstances
Good cause exists for a client who is employed but was unable to meet the work rules due to circumstances related to their employment, if the reason they were unable to work or meet their required hours is for one of the following reasons:
- pay is below the federal or state minimum wage,
- workplace discrimination,
- work has been unavailable due to a strike or lockout, or
- violation of health or safety standards.
This may be verified by:
- a written statement or telephonic self-declaration or documentation provided by the employer, or
- client statement detailing the circumstances that have prevented them from being able to meet the work rules in their current job.