Family Services, Dept. of

Personal Opportunities w/ Employment Responsibilities

Effective Date: 01/12/2018 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 049.0030.2.01122018

Personal Opportunities With Employment Responsibilities

CHAPTER 2

Section 1. Authority and Purpose.

The Department of Family Services (DFS), is authorized under the Public Assistance and Social Services Act, W.S. 42-2-101 et seq., W.S. 42-2-103 (b)(iii) and (xiii), and the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act, W.S. 16-3-101 et seq. to promulgate rules and regulations.

POWER--State Adult Student Financial Aid (POWER-SASFA) is a state funded program for adults as specified in W.S. 42-2-102, 42-2-103, 42-2-109, 42-2-202, 42-2-112, 2001 Wyo. Sess. Law, Ch. 188, and the POWER requirements in Chapter 1, POWER rules, excluding the work requirements.

Section 2. Definitions.

The definitions in POWER, Chapter 1, Section 2 of these rules, apply with the following additions.

(a) 'Approved educational program' - any program approved by DFS:

(i) At the University of Wyoming, a Wyoming community college or other accredited educational or vocational program within Wyoming, or approved by DFS; and

(ii) Leads to no more than baccalaureate, associate degree, nationally recognized certification or license.

(b) 'Full-time postsecondary education or vocational training' - enrollment of at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester or activities that equal 12 credit hours as defined by the institution each fall and spring semester and at least a total of 24 credit hours per school year or activities that equal 24 or more credit hours per year as defined by the institution.

Section 3. Application/Intake Process.

Refer to Chapter 1, Section 3, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 4. POWER-SASFA Program Rights.

Refer to Chapter 1, Section 4, rules pertaining to POWER.

The applicant/recipient has the right to be informed about the requirements to be met to remain in the POWER-SASFA program.

Section 5. POWER-SASFA Assistance Unit Responsibilities.

Refer to Chapter 1, Section 5, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 6. POWER-SASFA Eligibility Factors. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 6, rules pertaining to POWER.

Beginning April 1, 2001, the five (5) year benefit limit shall not count for any month a POWER-SASFA student meets the attendance requirements of her/his education institution and does not receive an “incomplete” or an “F” in any class during any semester or summer school session. If the attendance requirements are not met or an “incomplete” or “F” is obtained, all previous disregarded months shall be applied toward the five (5) year benefit limit.

Section 7. Pay-After-Performance -- Child Support Requirements.

Cooperation with the Child Support Program is optional for POWER-SASFA applicants/recipients.

Section 8. Pay-After-Performance --Work Program Requirements.

(a) The student shall meet the following requirements to receive a POWER-SASFA performance payment:

1. (i) Complete a job assessment;
2. (ii) Complete and sign an Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP); and

(iii) Be an adult in a single parent family at the time of initial approval for POWER-SASFA who shall:

1. (A) Be in an approved educational program.
2. (B) State she/he will relocate after graduation, if necessary, to seek employment.
3. (C) Continuously maintain full-time enrollment.
4. (D) Maintain a “C” cumulative grade point average.
5. (E) Be in her/his first degree, certificate, license or vocational training program unless the associate degree was acquired while in an approved bachelor’s degree program.

(F) Be employed at least thirty-two (32) hours per week from the end of the spring semester to the beginning of the fall semester (summer break) for at least 10 weeks unless given good cause by DFS.

(l) The requirement shall be waived for those students who attend summer session a minimum of six (6) credit hours.

(b) If the student, or any other mandatory family member, fails to meet any of the requirements under (a) and POWER, Chapter 1, Section 8, the assistance unit shall immediately become ineligible for any further POWER-SASFA performance payments unless the circumstances are beyond the student’s or mandatory family member’s control.

(c) Other mandatory family members shall meet the POWER work program requirements under POWER, Chapter 1, Section 8.

(d) An assistance unit shall not be eligible for the POWER-SASFA Program if there is a break in POWER eligibility for any reason except earned or child support income.

(e) An applicant/recipient may only utilize POWER-SASFA one time.

(f) POWER-SASFA shall be terminated for the student immediately upon graduation or upon completion of their certificate or license.

(g) POWER-SASFA recipients are not eligible for work activity expenditures.

Section 9. Budgeting and Payment Process. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 9, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 10. Notification. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 10, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 11. Review of Eligibility and Performance Requirements. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 11, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 12. Types of Assets and Treatment. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 12, rules pertaining to POWER.

Section 13. Types of Income and Treatment. Refer to Chapter 1, Section 13, rules pertaining to POWER.