(a)

1. (1) Based on information gathered during the assessment and employment planning, the participant is immediately engaged in work or one (1) or more work-related activities designed to move him or her into full-time employment in the shortest possible time.
2. (2) When a transitional employment assistance (TEA) participant is referred to another agency for services or is already engaged in activities with another agency, the Program Eligibility Specialist should document that the participant is in a TEA work activity that appropriately reflects the services being provided by the other agency.

(b) Work activity requirements — Minimum hours.

1. (1) The goal of the Transitional Employment Assistance Program is to assist families in becoming self-sufficient by increasing their job skills.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A “work-eligible individual” is an adult or minor head of household parent who is receiving TEA cash assistance.
   2. (B) All work-eligible members are required to work or participate in work activities that are designed to lead to full-time employment.
   3. (C) In addition, all minor parents are required to participate in educational activities as their work participation requirement.
3. (3) Note. A nonparent adult caretaker who has chosen not to be included as an eligible member is not required to participate in work activities.

(c) Single-parent cases.

1. (1) The participant will engage in work or work-related activities for the number of hours, up to forty (40) hours per week, that are determined to be appropriate based on the work activity and the participant’s individual circumstances.

2. (2)

   1. (A) However, a single parent must be engaged in work activities a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week.
   2. (B) At least twenty (20) of these hours must be in one (1) or more core activities.
3. (3) For a single parent with a child under the age of six (6), the participant must be engaged for at least twenty (20) hours, all of which will be in a core activity.

(d) Two-parent cases.

1. (1) In two-parent families:

   1. (A)

(b) (b) At least thirty (30) of the thirty-five (35) hours must be in one (1) or more core activities.

1. (ii)

(b) (b) At least fifty (50) of the fifty-five (55) hours must be in one (1) or more core activities;

1. (B)

   1. (i) If one (1) parent is deferred, then the other parent must be engaged for a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours.

      1. (ii) At least thirty (30) of the thirty-five (35) hours must be in one (1) or more core activities; and

   2. (C)

      1. (i) If one (1) parent is an individual with disabilities, then the minimum is thirty (30) hours per week for the parent who is not the individual with disabilities.
      2. (ii) These hours should be in core activities only.
2. (2) Refer to 20 CAR § 503-123 for a list of core and noncore activities. Example 1: Fifty-five-hour rule, neither parent deferred: One (1) parent could be involved in forty (40) hours of work activities, while the second parent would only be required to participate fifteen (15) hours per week. Example 2: Thirty-five-hour rule, neither parent is an individual with disabilities but one (1) can be deferred: Both parents are job ready, but child care is needed. While the first parent is engaged in twenty (20) hours of employment, the second parent is at home providing child care. When the first parent isn't engaged in employment, he or she can take care of the children. The second parent may then share in the participation requirement by doing the remaining fifteen (15) hours of required work activities while the first parent is providing child care.

(e) Note.

1. (1) A job-ready person is defined as one who has no physical, mental, or skill barriers that prevent employment.
2. (2) In addition, the individual has the educational background and experience to gain and maintain employment.