Clarification of Good Cause for TANF Work and Training due to COVID-19

Illinois Department of Human Services logo

12/08/2021

Policy Memo

Summary:

  • This memo provides clarification on ending good cause for participation in TANF Work and Training activities.
  • Beginning immediately TANF customers are allowed to claim good cause due to the continuing public health emergency due to COVID-19. TANF customers do not need to provide verification when claiming good cause due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
  • TANF customers that express an interest in participating in TANF work and Training activities should be allowed to participate.
  • TANF applications and active TANF cases require an assessment and Responsibility and Service Plan (RSP).

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is issuing policy clarification on ending good cause for participation in TANF Work and Training activities due to COVID-19 found in the policy memo published 09/29/2021 End of Good Cause for TANF Work and Training Due to COVID-19.

Beginning immediately TANF customers are allowed to claim good cause due to the continuing public health emergency from COVID-19. TANF customers do not need to provide verification when claiming good cause due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Workers should also allow good cause for TANF customers when Work and Training participation requirements cannot be met for a lack of provider slot openings or provider availability. Workers should also allow good cause from participation when Work and Training providers require COVID-19 vaccinations and/or COVID-19 testing and the TANF customer does not want to receive the vaccination or get tested for the virus.

Although good cause is allowed for the above reasons, TANF customers that express an interest in participating in Work and Training activities that lead to employment should be allowed to participate when providers are available.

Case Management Contact/Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP)

  • Effective immediately, TANF applications and active TANF cases will still require an assessment/reassessment and a signed RSP. When TANF customers claim good cause from Work and Work Training activities due to COVID-19, workers should include other activities in the RSP such as Associate/Bachelor Degree programs/High School Equivalency/GED Programs for Adults/ Education Directly Related to Employment when the activities are available remotely. Workers should also include Support Activities such as Child Support/Financial Resources/Basic Needs/Health.
  • During contact with customers, workers should review and discuss the TANF Counter, explain the 60-Month Time Limit, inform the customer of how many months have been exhausted and how many months are remaining.  Workers are to issue form 4335 per WAG 03-06-00.
  • For both new TANF applications and active TANF cases the RSP can be completed by phone as necessary. The RSP signature page may be mailed to the customer with a VCL instructing the customer to sign and return within 10 days.
  • For new TANF applications, deny the request for benefits if the RSP signature page is not signed and returned within 10 days.
  • For active TANF cases if the RSP is not signed and returned within 10 days workers are to update the VCL due date and allow an additional 10 days. Make a case comment indicating an additional 10 days is being allowed for the customer to return the RSP signature page. If the signed RSP is still not received, begin the reconciliation and sanction process. 

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms Referenced

4335