Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Plan - Federal WTW Activities

Core activities, required to meet federal WTW participation requirements, include any of the following WTW activities: unsubsidized employment; subsidized private or public sector employment; work experience; work study; self-employment; community service; and vocational education and training programs used within the 12-month federal limit.

Other federal job search/job readiness core activities subject to time limits include: substance abuse and mental health services, assessment including learning disability evaluation, and orientation/ appraisal and domestic abuse services.

Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance

A WTW activity that provides the client with training to learn basic job seeking and interviewing skills to understand employer expectations, and to learn skills designed to enhance an individual’s capacity to move toward self-sufficiency. This activity is time limited for federal WPR. Refer to Job Readiness Participation Requirements for policy on counting time.

Subsidized Private or Public Employment

Employment in a private or public sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from TANF or other public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs of employing a client.

Unsubsidized Employment

Full-time or part-time work in the public or private sector that is not subsidized and that is compensated at least at the applicable state or federal minimum wage. If neither wage rate applies, the work must be compensated in an amount equivalent to the lesser of the two. This includes Self-Employment. Refer to Employment and Retention Services.

Vocational Educational Training

Vocational Education/Training counts as federal core for a 12-month lifetime maximum regardless of weekly participation hours in school. For example, one day attended in the month counts as one month used. Vocational Educational training may include work-focused GED, language instruction (ESL), and VESL.

Clients may also need basic educational services to develop the required skills needed for vocational training to enter into an occupation. Adult Basic Education may be scheduled concurrently or sequentially prior to starting the vocational training.

Clients may attend an approved vocational or educational program based upon the results of the assessment. The ACs or service provider will indicate the activity(ies), career goals, and suggested provider on the Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment (WTW 2).