1. (a) Boards shall ensure that FSE&T support services are provided to mandatory work registrants and exempt recipients who voluntarily participate in FSE&T services, if the support services are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to participation in FSE&T activities, as follows:

   1. (1) Mandatory Work Registrants. Boards shall ensure that:

      1. (A) support services are only provided to assist mandatory work registrants with participation in FSE&T activities and in obtaining employment;
      2. (B) support services shall not be provided to assist mandatory work registrants in retaining employment; and

      3. (C) if the monthly expenses directly related to participation by a mandatory work registrant exceed available funds, the mandatory work registrant is:

         1. (i) exempted from further participation in an assigned FSE&T activity; or
         2. (ii) reassigned to an FSE&T activity that will not require the provision of support services.

   2. (2) Exempt Recipients Who Voluntarily Participate in FSE&T Services. Boards shall ensure that:

      1. (A) support services are only provided to assist exempt recipients with participation in FSE&T activities and in obtaining employment;
      2. (B) support services shall not be provided to assist exempt recipients in retaining employment; and

      3. (C) if the monthly expenses directly related to participation for an exempt recipient who voluntarily participates in FSE&T services exceed available funds, the exempt recipient is:

         1. (i) informed that assigned activities will be discontinued; or
         2. (ii) reassigned to an FSE&T activity that will not require the provision of support services.

2. (b) Support services include payment or reimbursement for:

   1. (1) child care services governed by Chapter 809 of this title;

   2. (2) transportation services that may be provided for participating mandatory work registrants and exempt recipients who voluntarily participate in FSE&T services, if alternative transportation resources are not available to the participants. Boards shall ensure that costs to provide the transportation services are:

      1. (A) reasonable and necessary for participation in FSE&T activities; and
      2. (B) paid for based on the methods and amounts determined by each Board to be consistent with state policy that requires use of the most economical means of transportation to meet the FSE&T participant's needs; and

   3. (3) work, training, or education-related items:

      1. (A) including, but not limited to, costs for uniforms, personal safety items, or other necessary equipment, and books or training manuals provided; and
      2. (B) excluding the cost of meals away from home.

Source Note:The provisions of this §813.41 adopted to be effective September 3, 2001, 26 TexReg 6731; amended to be effective February 26, 2003, 28 TexReg 1657; amended to be effective March 29, 2005, 30 TexReg 1799.