Department of Human Services
Self-Sufficiency Programs - Chapter 461
Division 190
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COMPONENTS
461-190-0211
Case Plan Activities and Standards for Support Service Payments; JOBS, Pre-TANF, REF, REP, SFPSS, TANF
In the JOBS, Pre-TANF, REF, REP, SFPSS, and TANF programs, notwithstanding any other administrative rule in chapter 461 and subject to the availability of state and federal funding, the following special provisions apply:
(1) Support services (see OAR 461-001-0025) payments are available to the following individuals who are eligible (see OAR 461-130-0310) to engage in a case plan (see OAR 461-001-0025):
(a) An individual who is an adult parent, needy caretaker relative (see OAR 461-001-0000), teen parent (see OAR 461-001-0000), or a minor parent (see OAR 461-001-0000) who is head of household; in the TANF filing group (see 461-110-0330) and is not otherwise exempt (see OAR 461-130-0305) and in accordance with participation requirements in OAR 461-130-0310.
(b) An individual who is a recipient of Pre-TANF or SFPSS programs.
(c) An individual who is a JOBS volunteer (see OAR 461-130-0310) and has a JOBS case plan.
(d) Subject to the limitations in section (8) of this rule, an individual who is receiving REF and participating in REP, who is not otherwise exempt (see OAR 461-130-0305).
(2) In approving JOBS program or REP program support services payments, the Department must consider lower cost alternatives. This rule is not intended to supplant Department funding with other funding that is available in the community. The expectation of the Department is that Department staff and individuals work collaboratively to seek resources that are reasonably available to the individual in order to participate in activities.
(3) Payment for support services are provided when:
(a) Necessary to participate in an approved activity (see OAR 461-001-0025) specified in the individual’s case plan;
(b) Authorized in advance; and
(c) All other provisions of this rule are met.
(4) A Department approved activity is eligible for support services payments, except for the following activities:
(a) Family Support & Connections,
(b) Retention services, and
(c) Microenterprise (see OAR 461-190-0197).
(5) In the JOBS, Pre-TANF, SFPSS, and TANF programs, the Department may provide payments for support services for eligible individuals engaged in an approved activity specified in the individual’s case plan, subject to provisions in sections (1)(a) through (1)(d) of this rule. Support services payment types are described as follows and are subject to the following limitations:
(a) JOBS Incidentals: In kind goods or items provided to individuals by the office to support the goals of the family while participating in the JOBS program.
(b) Bus Pass/Tickets: Bus tickets or pass that are issued in person out of office.
(c) Bus Payment: Payments issued to the individual to pay for public transportation. Requests for recurring bus payments may not exceed six consecutive months of issuance per request. If the individual’s eligibility changes during the six months of recurring payments, timely continuing benefit decision notice (see OAR 461-001-0000) must be sent.
(d) Gas Payment: Payments for an individual to pay for transportation costs incurred in travel to and from an approved activity. Requests for recurring gas payments may not exceed six consecutive months of issuance per request. If the individual’s eligibility changes during the six months of recurring payments, timely continuing benefit decision notice (see OAR 461-001-0000) must be sent.
(e) Child Care: Payments for child care, as allowed under OAR 461-160-0193.
(f) Clothing: Payments for clothing items to support the individual to engage in an approved activity.
(g) Housing/Utilities: Payments for housing (including motor homes or trailers when it is the individual's residence) and utilities expenses. Payments are subject to the following:
(A) Except as provided in paragraph (C) and (D) of this subsection, each payment type (such as rent, mortgage, utility bill, storage fees) is limited to two months per benefit group (see OAR 461-110-0750).
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) and (D) of this subsection, this payment is limited to $3,000 per benefit group for each three-month period.
(C) Except as provided in paragraph (D) of this subsection, internet service payments are limited to four months per benefit group.
(D) With prior manager approval, and upon verification that an individual has greater needs to stabilize a living situation or prevent loss of housing, the Department may approve payments that exceed the limits in paragraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this subsection.
(h) Grooming Needs: Payments for grooming needs for an approved activity.
(i) Professional Fees: Payments for professional fees to support the case plan.
(j) Tools/Equipment: Payments for equipment or tools an individual needs to accept a job offer, or for a work-related activity.
(k) Books/Supplies: Payments for books and supplies an individual needs to engage in an educational activity, including vocational training (see OAR 461-001-0025).
(l) Vocational Training: Payment for tuition and other educational costs for vocational training and self-initiated training (see OAR 461-001-0025), excluding payments for books and supplies. Payments are subject to the following:
(A) Tuition payments for a vocational training activity or a jobs skills training (see OAR 461-001-0025) activity are limited to single payments by session as defined by the educational or vocational training entity, such as a term, semester, or quarter.
(B) Tuition payments for a self-initiated training activity may be limited to no more than a twelve-month period per individual and shall be reviewed on a term-by-term basis. Individuals must show that they are making satisfactory progress (see OAR 461-001-0025) in their program and working towards receiving or clearing their standing to receive financial aid.
(C) For tuition payments, lower cost alternatives, as described in section (2) of this rule, must be explored, including the individual pursuing financial aid and other sources of assistance.
(m) Auto Expenses: Payments for auto expenses, repairs, or car insurance to support the goals specified in the individual's case plan. Payments for auto expenses are subject to the following limitations:
(A) Payments for vehicle repairs are limited to situations where repairs are neccessary to operate the vehicle.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) of this subsection, payments for auto loans or auto leases, are limited to three months per calendar year and only for situations where there is a written agreement. Payments may be authorized for no more than $1,650 per calendar year and are limited to $550 per month.
(C) With manager authorization, and upon verification that an individual has greater needs in order to participate in their case plan, the Department may approve payments that exceed the limits in paragraph (B) of this subsection.
(n) Eyeglasses: Effective July 19, 2023, payments for eyeglasses (does not include contacts) when necessary to remove a barrier towards gaining employment. Requests for eyeglasses above $50 shall require verification of the need from a qualified and appropriate professional. Payments for eyeglasses are limited to individuals who are not any of the following:
(A) Under the age of 21,
(B) A pregnant adult, or
(C) Within the last day of the twelfth month following the month in which the individual gave birth.
(o) Tax Preparation Services: Payments for personal tax preparation services are limited to payments for the current tax year and can only be accessed from January 1 through Tax Day in April, in situations where no free community resources are available.
(p) Other Payments: When the need is identified and no other sources are available, the Department may provide other payments needed --
(A) To look for work.
(B) To accept a job offer.
(C) To attain a high school diploma or GED.
(D) That are not otherwise restricted , with manager approval.
(q) None of the following payments are allowed for payment by the Department:
(A) Medical Assistance or medical services, including eye exams.
(B) Mental health services.
(C) Alcohol and drug treatment services.
(D) Professional Services.
(E) Non-essential items.
(F) Television and cable.
(G) Fines, reinstatement fees, restitution, legal fees, civil fees, court costs, or other costs associated with a penalty.
(H) Purchase or rental of a car, recreational vehicle, or motor home, except as provided in subsections (5)(g) and (5)(m).
(I) Any payments described in this rule for individuals employed in, seeking employment in, or engaged in an illegal activity (see OAR 461-120-0215).
(J) Pet-related costs.
(K) Payments for child care, including ERDC co-payments, except as allowed under subsection (5)(e) of this rule and OAR 461-160-0193.
(6) The Department may require an individual to provide verification of a need for, or costs associated with, support services prior to approval and issuance of payments if verification is reasonably available.
(7) The Department may reduce, close, or deny in whole or in part a request for support services payments in the following circumstances:
(a) The purpose for the payments is not related to the individual's case plan.
(b) The individual is failing to comply with the case plan or disqualified, unless the payments in question are necessary for the individual to demonstrate cooperation with the individual’s case plan.
(c) The individual disagrees with support services payments offered or made by the Department as outlined in the individual's case plan.
(8) In the REF and REP programs, the Department may provide payments for support services for individuals eligible for REP engaged in an approved activity specified in the individual’s case plan, subject to provisions in section (1)(e). Support services are subject to the following limitations:
(a) Transportation. The Department may provide payments to an individual when transportation costs is for travel to and from an approved REP activity. Payments are only for the cost of public transportation or fuel costs. For fuel costs the individual providing the transportation must report having a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance..
(b) Other Payments. When the need is identified and no other sources are available, the Department may provide other payments needed –
(A) To accept a job offer.
(B) For books and supplies to complete a an approved educational activity.
(c) All other payments are not allowed.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 409.050, 411.060, 411.070, 411.121, 412.006, 412.009, 412.014, 412.049 & 412.124
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 412.016, 412.049, 412.084, 412.124, ORS 291.003, 409.010, 409.040, 411.060, 411.070, 411.121, 412.001, 412.002, 412.006, 412.009, 412.011, 412.014 & 45 CFR 233.20
History:
SSP 29-2024, amend filed 03/26/2024, effective 04/01/2024
SSP 53-2023, amend filed 12/21/2023, effective 01/01/2024
SSP 22-2023, amend filed 06/26/2023, effective 07/01/2023
SSP 59-2022, amend filed 12/27/2022, effective 01/01/2023
SSP 48-2022, amend filed 09/27/2022, effective 10/01/2022
SSP 38-2022, temporary amend filed 06/15/2022, effective 06/15/2022 through 12/11/2022
SSP 27-2022, amend filed 02/16/2022, effective 02/17/2022
SSP 45-2021, temporary amend filed 08/25/2021, effective 08/25/2021 through 02/20/2022
SSP 44-2020, amend filed 12/22/2020, effective 01/01/2021
SSP 5-2020, amend filed 03/30/2020, effective 04/01/2020
SSP 27-2018, amend filed 09/04/2018, effective 10/01/2018
SSP 26-2018, temporary amend filed 07/30/2018, effective 08/01/2018 through 12/31/2018
SSP 21-2018, amend filed 06/05/2018, effective 07/01/2018
SSP 20-2018, temporary amend filed 05/24/2018, effective 06/01/2018 through 06/30/2018
SSP 13-2018, temporary amend filed 03/27/2018, effective 04/01/2018 through 06/30/2018
SSP 34-2017, amend filed 12/18/2017, effective 01/01/2018
SSP 32-2017, temporary amend filed 12/01/2017, effective 12/01/2017 through 03/31/2018
SSP 28-2017, temporary amend filed 11/01/2017, effective 11/01/2017 through 03/31/2018
SSP 22-2017, f. 9-8-17 & cert. ef. 10-1-17
Reverted to SSP 23-2016, f. 6-28-16, cert. ef. 7-1-16
SSP 3-2017(Temp), f. 2-28-17, cert. ef. 3-1-17 thru 6-30-17
SSP 23-2016, f. 6-28-16, cert. ef. 7-1-16
SSP 34-2015, f. 12-22-15, cert. ef. 12-28-15
SSP 18-2015(Temp), f. 6-30-15, cert. ef. 7-1-15 thru 12-27-15
SSP 17-2015, f. & cert. ef. 6-30-15
SSP 3-2015(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-1-15 thru 6-29-15
SSP 15-2014, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14
SSP 6-2014(Temp), f.& cert. ef. 3-5-14 thru 9-1-14
SSP 24-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-13
SSP 15-2013(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-13 thru 12-28-13
SSP 8-2013, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-13
SSP 2-2013(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-23-13 thru 5-5-13
SSP 38-2012(Temp), f. 12-28-12, cert. ef. 1-1-13 thru 5-5-13
SSP 34-2012(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 11-6-12 thru 5-5-13
SSP 30-2012, f. 9-28-12, cert. ef. 10-1-12
SSP 18-2012(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-23-12 thru 9-30-12
SSP 12-2012(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-6-12 thru 9-30-12
SSP 11-2012, f. & cert. ef. 4-6-12
SSP 30-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 11-1-11 thru 4-29-12
SSP 25-2011, f. 9-30-11, cert. ef. 10-1-11
SSP 19-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11 thru 12-28-11
SSP 10-2011, f. 3-31-11, cert. ef. 4-1-11
SSP 42-2010(Temp), f. 12-30-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11 thru 6-30-11
SSP 32-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10
SSP 23-2008, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-08
SSP 5-2008, f. 2-29-08, cert. ef. 3-1-08
SSP 11-2007(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-1-07 thru 3-29-08
SSP 19-2005, f. 12-30-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
SSP 11-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 12-31-05
SSP 21-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04
SSP 33-2003, f. 12-31-03, cert. ef. 1-4-04
AFS 3-2000, f. 1-31-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00
AFS 2-1999, f. 3-26-99, cert. ef. 4-1-99
AFS 18-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-98
AFS 36-1996, f. 10-31-96, cert. ef. 11-1-96
AFS 26-1996, f. 6-27-96, cert. ef. 7-1-96
AFS 19-1993, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-93
AFS 12-1993, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-93
AFS 20-1992, f. 7-31-92, cert. ef. 8-1-92
AFS 9-1991, f. 3-29-91, cert. ef. 4-1-91
AFS 30-1990, f. 12-31-90, cert. ef. 1-1-91
AFS 23-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90