Reference: TEGL No. 6-98, dated September 21, 1998. Background: TEGL No. 6-98 explains the amended eligibility criteria for custodial and non-custodial parents under the 70 percent targeted portion of the WtW program. Questions arose concerning the eligibility of custodial caretaker relatives who receive TANF benefits for themselves and on behalf of the children in their custody. While the number of these cases nationwide is relatively small, we wish to clarify that custodial caretaker relatives, who are TANF recipients, are subject to the same TANF participation requirements, time limitations and other requirements under section 403(a)(5)(C)(ii) as other TANF recipients and, therefore, may be eligible for the WtW program. Clarification of the Interpretation of the Technical Amendment to the Eligibility Criteria for Custodial Caretaker Relatives: On July 16, 1998, President Clinton signed into law the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998, which included a technical amendment to Section 403(a)(5)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act regarding the eligibility of non-custodial parents under the 70 percent targeted portion of the WtW program. Pursuant to the technical amendment, the eligibility criteria have been changed so that the individual to be served in a WtW program must be the one who meets the eligibility requirements, whether the individual is the TANF recipient (which includes the custodial parent or the custodial caretaker relative) or a non-custodial parent. The purpose of this letter is to clarify that the requirements for the non-custodial parent are the same whether the TANF recipient is the custodial parent or a custodial caretaker relative. Effective Date: These revised eligibility requirements are effective as of July 16, 1998. Action: States should provide this guidance to appropriate staff.

Authorities and References: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-193) and Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33) amending Title IV-A of the Social Security Act; Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century (TEA-21) (Pub. L. 105-178); Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-200); TEA-21 Restoration Act (Pub. L. 105-206); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Proposed Rule (62 Fed. Reg. 62124 (proposed Nov. 20, 1997)); Welfare-to-Work Grants Interim Final Rule, 20 CFR Part 645 (62 Fed. Reg. 61588 (Nov. 18, 1997)); TANF Policy Announcement No. TANF-ACF-PA-97-1, dated January 31, 1997; Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 9-97. Recissions: The attached guidance paper was originally issued on May 8, 1998. Since then two major pieces of legislation have passed that significantly altered the programs described in the original guidance document. In order for this revised guidance to be most useful, it is being reissued in its entirety as a new TEGL, rescinding TEGL 9-97. Background: The guidance, intended to augment the current statutory and regulatory provisions, has been revised to incorporate legislative changes since the initial issuance. In particular, the Job Access and Reverse Commute (Job Access) program was created by Congress to provide new resources to address transportation issues for low-income people. The revised guidance paper also clarifies policy issues that have come to light in the areas of: the definition of assistance under the TANF program, data reporting under TANF and the Welfare-to- Work (WtW) program, and appropriate cost principles for federally-funded projects. Information: The new Job Access program creates opportunities at the local level for communities to leverage existing resources to help solve transportation issues for low income neighborhoods. The revised guidance describes, in detail, a number of limitations on how these funds may be appropriately used in cost sharing arrangements. State and local employment and training providers should review the example set forth on page 13 regarding how a jointly funded transportation project could operate. Action: Please share the joint guidance paper, as well as the joint Secretarial memorandum, with State and local staff who are involved in providing transportation services, to welfare recipients. This guidance is being issued simultaneously through the policy guidance systems of the three agencies involved.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.

To preserve the formatting of this document, it has been converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) to retain its original layout.