Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act NWGRC Eligibility Manual Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth

Transcription

1 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act NWGRC Eligibility Manual Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Policies and Procedures

2 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION... 1 A. Getting Started... 1 B. Resources and Coordination... 1 II. DEFINITIONS... 3 III. CAREER AND TRAINING SERVICES A. Career Services B. Training Services C. Service Priority IV. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ALL TITLES A. Selective Service Requirements B. Adult and Dislocated Worker Eligibility C. Youth Eligibility V. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTAKE/ELIGIBILITY A. Include in Family Income: B. Exclude from Family Income: VI. Eligible Participants for NEG Disaster, OJT, Incumbent Worker A. National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) B. On-the-Job Training (OJT) C. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) VII. Preferred Assessment Instruments: VIII. ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES (YOUTH BARRIERS) IX. ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES (DISLOCATED WORKERS) X. FORMS... 30

3 I. INTRODUCTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD NORTHWEST GEORGIA Welcome to the WIOA eligibility process. This Eligibility Manual describes eligibility requirements for the Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth programs. NOTICE: A participant must be eligible and enrolled prior to authorizing any type of WIOA payment. A. Getting Started Career Planners should review the WIOA Eligibility Manual before they begin the eligibility process with an applicant. A basic understanding of program objectives, performance goals, allowable activities, and program limitations will help set the stage for a successful relationship between the Career Planner and the participant. The eligibility process must include an understanding of the NWGRC eligibility system and the corresponding Eligibility Manual. Since GEO Systems data entry requirements are part of the registration process, familiarity with this system is an important part of the eligibility and enrollment process. Finally, Career Planners should review the Eligibility Manual since initial assessment begins with an applicant s first interview or contact. B. Resources and Coordination Knowledge of Labor Market and Employment Services The ultimate goal of WIOA enrollment focuses on employment. Therefore, all Career Planners should have a keen awareness of employment trends and local labor market conditions. They should also be familiar with employment services available through Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) (dol.georgia.gov), and for GDOL Career Planners to have a working knowledge of labor exchange services available to job seekers and employers throughout Georgia. Community Resources Strong local connections and a comprehensive knowledge of local resources will enhance the referral process between agencies and provide customers with the best mix of employment and WIOA relationships with other employment specialists and educators within and around the community. Vocational Rehabilitation, secondary education, GDOL, Department of Family and Children Services, Technical colleges and other Career Planners are a good beginning. Another critical element of the WIOA eligibility process is a working knowledge of community resources targeting basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Career Planners should know what is available and refer customers to organizations such as Health & Welfare, Housing Authority, homeless shelters, food banks, clothing banks, Goodwill, substance abuse hotlines, etc. Suitable, Appropriate; Not an Entitlement Many applicants may be eligible for WIOA but not appropriate for enrollment. Their needs or expectations may not match the services available or they may need to resolve personal 08/ P a g e

4 issues before they can benefit from enrollment. In such cases, Career Planners should make appropriate referrals to other programs or services and applicants should be encouraged to reapply if/when their circumstances are such that WIOA enrollment would be appropriate. There is no limit on the number of times an applicant can apply for WIOA. To ensure compliance with EO guidelines, information collected on every individual who is interested in being considered for WIOA financially assisted aid, benefits, services, or training and who has signified that interest by submitting personal information in response to a request from WIOA staff must be entered in GEO Solutions. To comply with EO guidelines, you must collect information on gender, age, race, ethnicity, and disability status when an individual begins the application process. NOTE: Applications entered in GEO Solutions without registration will not be included in any management or performance measures. Career Planners are reminded WIOA is not an entitlement program and they are charged with the responsibility of enrolling applicants that are both eligible and appropriate for services. EEO Information Career Planners will provide applicants with an Equal Opportunity Statement of Rights form. All applicants should read the information at the time of application and have the opportunity to ask questions about the information it contains. Career Planners will give the applicant a copy and keep the original in the applicants file. Verification Requirements Documentation to support program eligibility must be submitted with each enrollment application; a list of acceptable documents is included in this Eligibility Manual. These lists are extensive but not all inclusive. As such, Career Planners may use other documents if/when they confirm the eligibility item in question. If in doubt, please contact your Contract Representative prior to enrolling the participant. NOTE: Any one document may verify more than one criterion. For example, a compass printout may identify public assistance and the family members living in the household. On the other hand, some acceptable documents may not be adequate if they do not verify the eligibility criteria in question. For example, a baptismal certificate will only verify age if it includes a birthdate some do not. In other words, what document is used, it must verify its eligibility factor(s) in question. DOCUMENTS MUST BE READABLE Application and Enrollment Dates, the 30 Day Period, and GEO Solutions Data Entry Application is the process of collecting information and necessary documentation to support a determination of eligibility. This information may be collected through methods that include electronic data transfer, personal interview, or an individual's application. The application date is the date of the application and the first day a Career Planner begins collecting eligibility information from an applicant. The enrollment date is the date on which the individual begins receiving his/her first service following completion of the application. A maximum of thirty (30) days can elapse between the application date and the date of enrollment. The enrollment process is concluded once 08/ P a g e

5 the Career Planner completes GEO Solutions data entry requirements. Although verification documents will reflect participant information as of the application date, demographic characteristics entered in GEO Solutions should be updated to reflect the participant s actual circumstances as of the enrollment date. Example: if an individual is employed when he/she begins the application process but the job ends prior to enrollment, he/she should be enrolled as unemployed. If an applicant is not enrolled within this 30 day period, the process begins again, with a new application date and (as appropriate) updated verification documents. II. DEFINITIONS Act, The The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (P.L ) Adult an individual who is age 18 or older. Basic skills deficient a youth or adult, that the individual is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual s family, or in society. (Note: Grade level scores below 9.0, e.g. 8.9, should be considered as at or below the 8 th grade level). Calendar Quarters the four quarters consisting of January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December. Career Pathway a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that: a. Aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the State or regional economy involved; b. Prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act ; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (referred to individuals in this Act as an apprenticeship, except in section 171); c. Includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual s education and career goals; d. Includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with an in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster; e. Organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable; f. Enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and g. Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster. Career Planning the provision of a client-centered approach in the delivery of service designed: 08/ P a g e

6 a. To prepare and coordinate comprehensive employment plans, such as service strategies, for participants to ensure access to necessary workforce investment activities and supportive services, using, where feasible, computer-based technologies; and b. To provide job, education, and career counseling as appropriate during program participation and after job placement. Citizenship citizens and nationals of the United States lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens, lawfully admitted refugees and parolees, and other individuals authorized by the Attorney General to work in the United States. Credential nationally recognized degree or certificate or State/locally recognized credential. Credentials include, but are not limited to, a high school diploma, GED or other recognized equivalents, post-secondary degrees/certificates, recognized skill standards, and licensor or industry-recognized certificates. States should include all State Education Agency recognized credentials. Date of Participation the first day, following a determination of program eligibility (if applicable), that the individual begins receiving a service funded by the program. Dependent Child an individual who meets one of the following categories: a. Under the age 19 at the end of the year, unless he or she is under age 24 and a full-time student; or b. be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year, regardless of age. Dislocation Date this date is the last day of employment at the dislocation job. If there is no dislocation job (e.g. displaced homemaker), leave blank. Dislocated Worker an individual who meets one of the following sets of criteria: 1. The individual: a. has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment; b. is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation or has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate attachment to the workforce but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that was not covered under a state s UI law; and c. is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation; 2. The individual: a. has been terminated or laid off or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise; b. is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days; or c. for purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training services, career services, or support services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made 08/ P a g e

7 a general announcement that such facility will close. 3. The individual was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters. This includes individuals working as independent contractors or consultants but not technically employees of a firm. 4. The individual is a displaced homemaker, as defined in WIOA 3(16). 5. The individual is a separating service member from the Armed Services with a discharge other than dishonorable, the separating service member qualifies for dislocated worker activities based on the following criteria: a. the separating service member has received a notice of separation (DD214) from the Department of Defense or other documentation showing a separation or imminent separation from the Armed Forces to satisfy the termination or layoff eligibility criteria: b. the separating service member is eligible for or has exhausted of unemployment compensation; and c. as a separating service member, the individual meets the eligibility criteria that the individual is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation. 6. The individual is a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who: a. has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of such member; or b. is unemployed or underemployed and experiencing difficulty finding or upgrading employment. 7. The individual is underemployed. Displaced homemaker an individual who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and who; a. is unemployed or underemployed and experiencing difficulty finding or upgrading employment; and b. has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; or is the dependent spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and whose family income is significantly reduced because of a deployment, a call or order to active duty, a permanent change of station, or the service connected death or disability of the member. Eligible Spouse of a Veteran a spouse of a veteran: a. who died of a service-connected disability b. any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days: i. Missing in action; 08/ P a g e

8 ii. iii. Captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or Forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government of power. c. who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability d. who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence Eligible youth means an in-school youth or out-of-school youth. See definitions Emergency or Disaster means; An emergency or a major disaster, as defined in Section 102 paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122); or An emergency or disaster situation of national significance that could result in a potentially large loss of employment, as declared or otherwise recognized by the chief official of a Federal agency with authority for or jurisdiction over the Federal response to the emergency or disaster situation. Employed Status at Participation a participant is considered EMPLOYED if they: a. did any work at all within the last seven (7) days as a paid employee; b. did any work at all in his or her own business, profession or farm; c. worked fifteen (15) hours or more as an unpaid worker in an enterprise operated by a member of the family; d. is one who was not working, but has a job or business from which he or she was temporarily absent because of illness, bad weather, vacation, labor-management dispute, or personal reasons whether or not paid by the employer for time-off, and whether or not seeking another job; or e. are employed but either i. has received a notice of termination of employment or the employer has issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) or other notice that the facility or enterprise will close; or ii. is a transitioning service member, is employed, but Received Notice of Termination of Employment or Military Separation. If the individual does not meet any one of the conditions described above, he/she is Not Employed. English Language Learner an eligible individual who has limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and; a. whose native language is a language other than English; or b. who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language. Exit an exit occurs when a participant has not received a service funded by WIOA or a partner program for 90 consecutive calendar days and is not scheduled for future services. Exit Quarter represents the calendar quarter in which the date of exit is recorded for the individual. 08/ P a g e

9 Family two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or decree of court who are living in a single residence, and are included in one or more of the following categories: a. A married couple and dependent children b. A parent or guardian and dependent children c. A married couple. In certain cases, an individual may be considered a family of one for the purpose of eligibility determination. This includes individuals with a disability whose family income may exceed the income criteria, but whose own income meets the income criteria. Follow-up Services (adult and dislocated workers) must be made available, as appropriate, including counseling regarding the workplace, for participants in adult or dislocated worker activities who are placed in unsubsidized employment for a minimum twelve (12) months after the first day of employment. Follow-up Services (youth) are provided following a youth s exit from the program to help ensure the youth is successful in employment and/or post-secondary education and training. Foster child an individual on behalf of whom state or local government payments are made. Homeless individual as defined in section 41403(6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C e-2(6)), A. an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and B. includes (i) an individual who a. is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; b. is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; c. is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; d. is abandoned in a hospital; or e. is awaiting foster care placement; (ii) an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or (iii) migratory children (as defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; 20 U.S.C. 6399) who qualify as homeless under this section because the children are living in circumstances described in this paragraph. Homeless youth as defined in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act A. individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and 08/ P a g e

10 B. includes (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C); (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purpose of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii). Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) is designed to improve the skills of employees and the competitiveness of an employer. It is intended to retain skilled employees or avert a potential layoff. IWT may be offered to employers who, after assessment, are found to be in need of training for existing employees in order to remain competitive. Individual Training Account (ITA) an expenditure account established on behalf of the participant. WIOA Title IB Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth participants will use ITAs to purchase training services from eligible providers they select in consultation with the career planner, counselor, or coordinator. Individual with a Barrier to Employment a member of 1 or more of the following populations; a. Displaced homemakers. b. Low-income individuals. c. Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, as such terms are defined in section 166. d. Individuals with disabilities, including youth who are individuals with disabilities. e. Older individuals. f. Ex-offenders. g. Homeless individuals (as defined in definition). h. Youth who are in or have aged out of the foster care system. i. Individuals who are English Language Learners, individuals who have low levels of literacy, and individuals facing substantial cultural barriers. j. Eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers, as defined in section 167(i). k. Individuals within 2 years of exhausting lifetime eligibility under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 08/ P a g e

11 l. Single parents (including single pregnant women). m. Long-term unemployed individuals. n. Such other groups as the Governor involved determines to have barriers to employment. Individual with a Disability as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C ), with respect to an individual - a. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; b. a record of such an impairment; or c. being regarded as having such an impairment. Individual who Requires Additional Assistance (youth) an individual who: a. is a youth who are basic skills deficient who: i. have English reading, writing, or computing math skills at 8.9 or below on a generally accepted standardized test; or ii. are unable to compute or solve problems, read, write, or speak English at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual family or society. b. is an in-school youth that is off track one or more classes in regard to graduation requirements or is failing one or more classes; c. lacks necessary support services needed to attend school/training and/or work; and/or d. lacks consistent or good work history with employment less than six (6) consecutive months or not more than thirty (30) hours per week with the same employer. In-School Youth an individual who is: a. attending school (as defined by State Law); b. not younger than age 14 or (unless an individual with a disability who is attending school under State Law) older than 21; c. a low-income individual; and d. one or more of the following: i. basic skills deficient; ii. iii. iv. an English Language Learner; an offender; a homeless individual, a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, a child eligible for assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement; v. pregnant or parenting; vi. a youth who is an individual with a disability; 08/ P a g e

12 vii. an individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or hold employment. Lacks Self-Sufficiency (Adult) - an individual who has personal or family income that is at or less than 175% of the poverty level. Lacks Self-Sufficiency (Dislocated Worker) an individual employed in a job/occupation that is at a wage that is less than 85% of their earnings at their job of dislocation. Long-term Unemployed an individual unemployed 27 or more consecutive weeks out of the last 52 weeks. Low-income Individual an individual who; a. receives, or in the past six (6) months has received, or is a member of a family that is receiving or in the past six (6) months has received, assistance through SNAP,TANF, or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, or State or local income-based public assistance; b. receives an income or is a member of a family receiving an income that, in relation to family size, is not in excess of - i. The poverty line; or ii. 70 % of the lower living standard income level; c. Adult who is basic skills deficient (8.9 or below) d. is a homeless individual (as defined in this section) e. receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the NSLA (42 U.S.C et seq.); f. is a foster youth, on behalf of whom State or local government payments are made; or g. is an individual with a disability whose own income meets WIOA s income requirements, even if the individual s family income does not meet the income requirements of the income eligibility criteria for payments under any federal, state, or local public assistance program. Lower Living Standard Income Level the term lower living standard income level or LLSIL means that income level (adjusted for regional, metropolitan, urban and rural differences and family size) determined annually by the Secretary of Labor based on the most recent lower living family budget issued by the Secretary. Offender any adult or juvenile: a. who is or has been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process, and for whom services under this Act may be beneficial; or b. who requires assistance in overcoming artificial barriers to employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction. Older Individual an individual age 55 or older. One-Stop Delivery System (WIOA Sec. 121) (A) At a minimum, shall make each of the programs, services, and activities described in 08/ P a g e

13 paragraph (1) accessible at not less than 1 physical center in each local area of the State; and (B) May also make programs, services, and activities described in paragraph (1) available - (i) through a network of affiliated sites that can provide 1 or more of the programs, services, and activities to individuals; and (ii) through a network of eligible one-stop partners I. in which each partner provides 1 or more of the programs, services, and activities to such individuals and is accessible at an affiliated site that consists of a physical location or an electronically or technologically linked access point; and II. that assures individuals that information on the availability of the career services will be available regardless of where the individuals initially enter the statewide workforce development system, including information made available through an access point described in sub-clause (I); (C) may have specialized centers to address special needs, such as the needs of dislocated workers, youth, or key industry sectors or clusters; and (D) as applicable and practicable, shall make programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals through electronic means in a manner that improves efficiency, coordination, and quality in the delivery of one-stop partner services. On-the-job training - training that is provided by an employer in the public, private non-profit, or private sector to a paid participant while engaged in productive work in a job that: A. provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job; B. provides reimbursement to the employer of up to 50% of the wage rate of the participant, except as provided in WIOA 134(c)(3)(H), for the extraordinary costs of providing the training and additional supervision related to the training; and C. is limited in duration as appropriate to the occupation for which the participant is being trained, taking into account the content of the training, the prior work experience of the participant, and the OJY training plan and/or service strategy of the participant. Out-of-school youth (WIOA 3 (46) and 129 (a)(1)(b)) - an individual who is: A. Not attending any school (as defined under State law) B. Not younger than age 16or older than 24; and one or more of the following: i. a school dropout; ii. iii. a youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete quarter or semester. The definition of a quarter or semester is based on how a local school district defines the term; a recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner; 08/ P a g e

14 iv. an individual who is subject to the juvenile or adult justice system; v. a homeless individual, a homeless child or youth, a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, a child eligible for assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement; vi. vii. viii. an individual who is pregnant or parenting; a youth is an individual with a disability; a low income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment. The term requires additional assistance is defined by local policy. Participant An individual who is determined eligible to participate in the program and receives a service funded by the program in either a physical location (One-Stop Career Center or affiliate site) or remotely through electronic technologies. Poor work history Employment less than six consecutive months or not more than 30 hours per week with the same employer. Poverty line the term poverty line means the poverty line as defined by the OMB and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) applicable to a family of the size involved. Public Assistance the term public assistance means Federal, State or local government cash payments for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test. Registration the point at which information that is used in performance begins to be collected. Registration is the process for collecting information to support a determination of eligibility. This information may be collected through methods that include electronic data transfer, personal interview, or an individual s application. School dropout an individual who is no longer attending any school and who has not received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. School status the term school status at the start of participation or at exit from the program refers to the following categories: a. In school, high school or less has not received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and is attending any secondary school (including elementary and junior high, whether full or part-time.) or is between school terms and intends to return to school. b. In an alternative school has not received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and is attending an alternative high school or an alternative course of study approved by the local school system (whether full or part-time) c. In school, attending post-high school has received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and is attending a post-secondary school or program (whether full or part-time), or is between school terms and intends to return to school. d. Not attending school, high school dropout is no longer attending any school and has not received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. 08/ P a g e

15 III. e. Not attending school, high school graduate is not attending any school and has either graduated from high school or holds a GED. Selective Service Compliance all participants enrolled in WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth program must be in compliance with Selective Service Registration under the Military Selective Service Act as a condition for participation. Single Parent a single, separated, divorced or widowed individual who has primary responsibility for one or more dependent children under age 18. Supportive Services services such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing and needs-related payments, that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities authorized under WIOA. Underemployed Individual defined as an individual: a. who is employed less than full-time and is seeking full-time employment; b. who is employed in a position not commensurate with the individual s demonstrated level of educational attainment and skills; c. who is working full-time and meets the definition of low-income; d. who is employed, but whose current job earnings are not sufficient compared to their previous earnings. Unemployed Individual an individual who is without a job and who wants and is available for work. Veteran definitions Veteran the term veteran means an individual who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable Recently separated veteran the term recently separated veteran means any veteran who applies for participation under this Act within 48 months after the discharge or release from active military, naval or air service. CAREER AND TRAINING SERVICES One-Stop Centers provide services to individual customers based on individual needs, including the seamless delivery of multiple services to individual customers. There are no required sequences of services (WIOA sec. 121(e)(1)(A)). A. Career Services Career Services, as described in section 134(c)(2), consists of three types; Basic career services, Individualized career services, and Follow-up services. I. Basic Career Services must be made available and, at a minimum, must include the following services, as consistent with allowable program activities and federal cost principles: a. Determination of whether the individual is eligible to receive assistance from the adult, dislocated worker, or youth programs; 08/ P a g e

16 b. Outreach, intake, and orientation to information and other services available through the one-stop system; c. Initial assessment of skills levels including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency, as well as aptitudes, abilities (including skills gaps), and support service needs; d. Labor exchange services, including i. job search and placement assistance and, when needed by an individual, career counseling, including the provision of information regarding in-demand industry sectors and occupations; ii. appropriate recruitment and other business services on behalf of employers, including information and referrals to specialized business services not traditionally offered through the one-stop system; e. Provision of referrals to and coordination of activities with other programs and services, including programs and services within the one-stop delivery system and, when appropriate, other workforce development programs; f. Provision of workforce and labor market employment statistics information, including information relating to local, regional, and national labor market areas, including: i. job vacancy listings in labor market areas. ii. information on job skills necessary to obtain the vacant jobs listed; and iii. information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skill requirements, and opportunities for advancement for those jobs; g. Provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training services by program and provider type; h. Provision of information on how the LWDA is performing on federal performance measures; i. Provision of information on the availability of support services or assistance, and appropriate referrals to those services and assistance, including: 1) child care; 2) child support; 3) medical or child health assistance available through the state s Medicaid program and Children s Health Insurance Program; 4) benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); 5) assistance through the earned income tax credit; 6) housing counseling and assistance services sponsored through USHUD; and 7) assistance under a state program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other supportive services and transportation provided through that program; j. Provision of information and assistance regarding filing claims for unemployment compensation, by which the LWDA must provide assistance to individuals seeking such 08/ P a g e

17 II. III. assistance; k. Assistance in establishing eligibility for programs of financial aid assistance for training and education programs not provided under WIOA, including HOPE and PELL. Individualized Career Services must be made available if determined to be appropriate in order for an individual to obtain or retain employment. These include the following services, as consistent with WIOA requirements and federal cost principles: a. Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of adults and dislocated workers, which may include: i. diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools; and ii. in-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals; b. Development of an individual employment plan to identify the employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve his or her employment goals, including the list of, and information regarding the ETPL; c. Group counseling; d. Individual counseling and mentoring; e. Career planning; f. These services are intended for individuals who lack occupational credential/certification and require short-term services to enhance and upgrade skills for employment. Pre-vocational services may include services that: Prepare individuals for licensing or certification exams Enhances the employability of individuals who already possess occupational skills in demand but lack up-to-date skills required in most work places hiring for the occupation. g. Internships and work experience that are linked to careers; h. Workforce preparation activities; i. Financial literacy services; j. Out-of-area job search assistance and relocation assistance; and k. English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs. Follow-Up Services must be made available, as appropriate, including counseling regarding the workplace, for participants in adult or dislocated worker activities who are placed in unsubsidized employment for a minimum of 12 months after the first day of employment. B. Training Services Under WIOA 134 (c)(3)(a) training services may be made available to employed and unemployed adults who: 08/ P a g e

18 I. Are determined (by the one-stop operator) after an interview, evaluation, or assessment and career planning to be: II. III. a. unlikely or unable to obtain or retain employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency or wages comparable to or higher than wages from previous employment through career services; b. in need of training services to obtain or retain employment leading to economic self-sufficiency or wages comparable to or higher than wages from previous employment, and c. have the skills and qualifications to participate successfully in training services; have selected a program of training services that is directly linked to employment opportunities in the planning region or in another area to which the individual is willing to commute or re-locate; and are unable to obtain grant assistance from other sources to pay the costs of training, including HOPE, Pell, and TAA, or require WIOA assistance in addition to the other sources of grant assistance. C. Service Priority Priority for adult services must be given to recipients of public assistance or other low-income individuals, with added priority for individuals who are basic skills deficient. Priority applies regardless of funding levels. Individualized career services and training services must be given on a priority basis, regardless of funding levels, to: A. Public assistance recipients; B. low-income individuals; and C. Individuals who are basic skills deficient. Veterans under WIOA 3 (63)(A) receive priority of service as described in the Jobs for Veterans Act (38 U.S.C (2)). Veterans and eligible spouses of veterans who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for adult programs must receive the highest priority for services. TEGL 3-15 references TEGL regarding order of priority for veterans and eligible spouses. Priority must be provided in the following order: First, to veterans and eligible spouses who are also recipients of public assistance, are low-income individuals, or who are basic skills deficient. Military earnings are not to be included as income for veterans and transitioning service members. Second, individuals who are not veterans or eligible spouses who meet WIOA priority criteria. Third, veterans and eligible spouses who are not included in WIOA s priority groups. Last, individuals outside the groups given priority under WIOA. 08/ P a g e

19 IV. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ALL TITLES A. Selective Service Requirements In order to be eligible to receive WIOA funded services, all males born on or after January 1, 1960 must present documentation showing compliance with the Selective Service registration requirement. I. Acceptable documentation showing registration status includes: II. III. IV. a. Selective Service Acknowledgment letter b. Form DD-214 Report of Separation c. Screen printout of the Selective Service Verification on the Selective Service website at For males who have already registered this website can be used to confirm their Selective Service number as well as the date of registration, by entering a last name, social security number, and date of birth. d. Selective Service Registration Card e. Selective Service Verification Form (Form A3) and/or f. Stamped Post Office Receipt of Registration Those required to register with Selective Service include: a. Men born on or after January 1, 1960 and who are; b. Citizens of the United States; c. Non-citizens, including illegal aliens, legal permanent residents, seasonal agricultural workers, and refugees, who take up residency in the U.S. before their 26 th birthday and/or; d. Dual national of the United States and another country regardless of where they live. Selective Service registration is not required of U.S. citizens if the male falls within one of the following categories: a. Men who are serving in the military on full-time active duty; b. Men attending the service academies; c. Disabled men who are continually confined to a residence, hospital or institution; and/or d. Men who are hospitalized, institutionalized, or incarcerated are not required to register during their confinement; however, they must register within 30 days after being released if they have not yet reached their 26 th birthday. Selective Service registration is not required of non-u.s. citizens if the male falls within one of the following categories: a. Non-U.S. male who came into this country for the first time after his 26 th birthday. Acceptable forms of supporting documentation include: 1. Date of entry stamp in his passport; 08/ P a g e

20 2. I-94 with date of entry stamp on it; 3. Letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicating the date the man entered the U.S. presented in conjunction with documentation establishing the individual s age. b. Non-U.S. male who entered the U.S. illegally after his 26 th birthday. He must provide proof that he was not living in the U.S. from age 18 through 25. c. Non-U.S. male on a valid non-immigrant visa. These lists are not intended to be exhaustive and the Selective Service System provides a quick reference chart showing who must register on the Selective Service website at B. Adult and Dislocated Worker Eligibility I. To be eligible to receive WIOA services as an adult in the adult and dislocated worker programs, an individual must: a. Be 18 years of age or older; b. Be a citizen or noncitizen authorized to work in the United States; and c. Meet the Military Selective Service registration requirements (males who are 18 or older and born on or after January 1, 1960, unless an exception is justified) II. Additional Eligibility Requirements for Adults: a. Adults can be either unemployed or underemployed and meet the priority of service requirements. b. Individuals who are underemployed include persons who are employed less than full-time and are seeking full-time employment; are employed in a position not commensurate with the individual s demonstrated level of educational attainment and skills; are working full-time and meet the definition of low income, according to LWDB policies; or are employed, but whose current job earnings are not sufficient compared to their previous earnings. III. Additional Eligibility Requirements for Dislocated Workers: A Dislocated Worker is an individual who meets one of the following five sets of criteria: a. The individual: 1. has been terminated or laid-off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment; 2. is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation or has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate attachment to the workforce but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that was not covered under a state s UI law; and 3. is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation. b. The individual: 08/ P a g e

21 1. has been terminated or laid-off or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise; 2. is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days; or 3. for purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training services, career services, or support services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close. c. The individual was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters. This includes individuals working as independent contractors or consultants but not technically employees of a farm. d. The individual is a displaced homemaker, as defined in WIOA 3 (16). A displaced homemaker is an individual who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and who: 1. is unemployed or underemployed and experiencing difficulty finding or upgrading employment; and 2. has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; or is the dependent spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and whose family income is significantly reduced because of a deployment, a call or order to active duty, a permanent change of station, or the service-connected death or disability of the member. e. The individual is a separating service member from the Armed Services with a discharge other than dishonorable, the separating service member qualifies for dislocated worker activities based on the following criteria: 1. the separating service member has received a notice of separation (DD214) from the Department of Defense or other documentation showing a separation or imminent separation from the Armed Forces to satisfy the termination or layoff eligibility criteria; 2. the separating service member is eligible for or has exhausted of unemployment compensation; and 3. as a separating service member, the individual meets the eligibility criteria that the individual is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation. f. The individual is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who; 1. has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of such member; or 2. is unemployed or underemployed and experiencing difficulty finding or upgrading employment. g. The individual is underemployed, which is defined as: 08/ P a g e

22 1. a person who was laid off from a previous employer, but has found employment earning wages that are 85% or less of the salary that was paid at the employer of dislocation; and/or 2. a person who is in employment that uses significantly less skills or abilities than the job of dislocation and is not commensurate with the individual s demonstrated level of educational attainment. C. Youth Eligibility Youth program requirements are distinguished by In-School youth and Out-of-School youth, which have different eligibility requirements listed below: 1. OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH [WIOA 3 (46) and 129 (a)(i)(b)] The term out-of-school youth means an individual who is: a. Not attending any school (as defined under state law as a public, private, or home study program that meets requirements under O.C.G.A. section ); However, for purposes of WIOA, USDOL does not consider providers of Adult education under title II of WIOA, YouthBuild programs, and Job Corps programs to be schools. Therefore, WIOA youth programs may consider a youth to be out-of-school youth for purposes of WIOA youth program eligibility if he/she is attending Adult Education provided under title II of WIOA, YouthBuild, or Job Corps. It is the policy of WFD that student attendance at a post-secondary institution qualifies as attending school and does not apply to this section. b. Not younger than age 16 or older than age 24 at the time of enrollment and one or more of the following: i. A school dropout; ii. iii. iv. A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete quarter or semester. The definition of a quarter or semester is based on a local school district defines the terms; A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner; An individual who is subject to the juvenile or adult justice system; v. A homeless individual (as defined in section (6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C e-2 (6)), a homeless child or youth (as defined in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C a (2)), a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, a child eligible for assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement; vi. vii. viii. An individual who is pregnant or parenting; A youth who is an individual with a disability A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete 08/ P a g e

23 an educational program or to secure or hold employment. The term requires additional assistance is defined by local policy. 2. IN-SCHOOL YOUTH [WIOA section 3 (27) and 129 (a)(1)(c)] The term in-school youth means an individual who is: a. attending school (Georgia compulsory education laws require children between the ages of 6 and 16 to attend school); b. not younger than age 14 or (unless an individual with a disability who is attending school under State law) older than age 21 at the time of enrollment; c. a low-income individual who meets one or more of the following criteria: i. an individual who is basic skills deficient. The term basic skills deficient means a youth that: ii. iii. iv. 1. Has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or 2. Is unable to compute or solve problems, read, write, or speak English at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual s family, or in society (WIOA 3 (5)) An English language learner; An offender; A homeless individual (as defined in section 41403(6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C e-2 (6)), a homeless child or youth (as defined in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C a(2)); a runaway, in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system, a child eligible for assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement; v. An individual who is pregnant or parenting; vi. vii. An individual with a disability; An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment. The term requires additional assistance is defined by local policy. 3. Low-Income Eligibility Requirement All ISY and some OSY must be low-income to meet eligibility criteria except those that fall under the low-income exception. a. A low-income individual is an individual who: i. Receives, or in the past 6 months received, or is a member of a family that is receiving or in the past 6 months received assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or the supplemental security income program established under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, or state or local income based public assistance; 08/ P a g e

24 ii. iii. Is a family with a total income that does not exceed the higher of (a) the poverty line, or (b) 70 percent of the lower living standard income level; A homeless individual (as defined in section 41403(6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C e-2(6)), or a homeless child or youth (as defined under section 725 (2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C a(2)); iv. Receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (41 U.S.C. 171 et seq.); v. A foster child on behalf of whom state or local government payments are made; or vi. Is an individual with a disability whose own income meets the requirements of (2). b. Special Rule WIOA 129 (a)(2) the term low-income also includes a youth living in a high poverty area. A high-poverty area is a Census tract, a set of contiguous Census tracts, Indian Reservation, tribal land, or Native Alaskan Village, or county that has a poverty rate of at least 30 percent as set every 5 years using American Community Survey 5 year data. 4. Exception and Limitation a. Exception for persons who are not low-income: in each local area not more than 5% of all youth participants may be persons who are not low-income, but who otherwise meet the definition of covered persons. WIOA 129 (a)(3)(a)(i) defines a covered individual as any ISY or an OSY who meets all other eligibility requirements and who meets the following conditions: i. Recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is basic skills deficient or an English language learner, and ii. An individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment. Individuals who are not low-income must provide documentation (no self-attestation) to prove they are covered individuals. b. Limitation: WIOA 129 (a)(3) further defines that in each local area not more than 5% of the ISY may be eligible based on the criteria for requiring additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment. The above exception/limitation percentages must be calculated on a yearly basis. V. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTAKE/ELIGIBILITY The WIOA application should be completed by the interviewer (or customer in a group setting) in dark ink. If a mistake is made on the application, do not use white out. Cross out the incorrect information using one line and enter the correct information. Initial the change. INCOME DETERMINATION: Income is the amount of all reportable income for each family member for the prior six (6) months. This amount multiplied by two (2) is the total annualized family income. Family income means all includable income actually received from all sources by all members 08/ P a g e

25 of the family during the income determination period. However, when computing family income, the income of a spouse and/or other family members shall only be counted for that portion of the income determination period that the person was actually a part of the family of the applicant. Family size for the determination period is the maximum size of the family during such period. All items not expressly excluded are includable income. Applicants having low or no income should complete an applicant statement that describes their means of support in the last six months. A. Include in Family Income: Money wages and salaries before any deductions; Net receipts from non-farm self-employment (receipts from a person s own unincorporated business, professional enterprise, or partnership after deductions for business example); Net receipts from farm self-employment (receipts from a farm which one operates as an owner, renter, or sharecropper, after deductions for farm operating expenses); Regular payments from railroad retirement, strike benefits from union funds, workers compensation, and training stipends; Alimony; Military family allotments or other regular support from an absent family member or someone not living in the household; Pensions, whether private, public employee (including Military retirement pay); Regular insurance or annuity payments other than Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI) or Veteran s disability; College or university grants, fellowships, and assistantships; Net gambling or lottery winnings; Social Security Disability Insurance payments (SSDI) 1. SSDI pays benefits to individuals that have worked in the past, paid Social Security taxes, and are currently unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. SSDI is considered income replacement and must be included in family income. B. Exclude from Family Income: Unemployment compensation; Child support payments; Public assistance payments (including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and General Assistance (GA); 1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. It is also paid to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. SSI is 08/ P a g e

26 considered cash assistance and individuals receiving SSI are automatically income eligible the same as individuals receiving TANF or SNAP. A WIOA applicant on SSI is a family of one. Refer to the Adult or Youth Verification worksheets for acceptable documentation for SSI recipients. Foster care child payments; Title IV of the Higher Education Act (i.e. Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS); Needs-based scholarship assistance; Income earned while (the veteran was) on active military duty and certain veteran s benefits (i.e., compensation for service-connected disability, compensation for service connected death, vocational rehabilitation, and education assistance); Severance Pay Capital gains; Any assets drawn down as withdrawals from a bank, the sale of property, a house or a car; Tax refunds, gifts, loans, lump-sum inheritances, one-time insurance payments, or compensation for injury; Non-cash benefits such as employer paid fringe benefits, food or housing received in lieu of wages, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, school meals, and housing assistance; Old age and survivors benefits received under section 202 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402) 1. Old age and survivors insurance benefits include: Social Security Survivor Benefits - these are benefits paid to people up to age 18 who have had a parent die and the parent paid wages into the system; and 2. Social Security Retirement Benefits these are benefits that are paid to people who reached their social security age and have wages paid into the system. SUPPORT SERVICES Support Services are services, which are reasonable and necessary to enable a WIOA participant who cannot afford to pay for such services to participate in activities funded under WIOA. The provision of Supportive Services must be determined on an individual basis. All supportive services must have been approved prior to the participant receiving or obtaining the goods or services. A participant may waive support payments (except Work Experience) if accepting payment would mean the loss of the benefits. The participant may request the payment to start at a later date, but may not claim retroactive payments. Advances against future payments are not allowed. NOTE: See our local policy for specific services available. 08/ P a g e

27 VI. Eligible Participants for NEG Disaster, OJT, Incumbent Worker A. National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) NDWGs are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor, under Sec. 170 of WIOA. NDWGs provide resources to states and other eligible applicants to response to large, unexpected layoff events causing significant job losses. This funding is intended to temporarily expand capacity to serve dislocated workers, including military service members, and meet the increased demand for WIOA employment and training services, with a purpose to reemploy laid-off workers and enhance their employability and earnings. NDWGs provide funding to create temporary employment opportunities to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts, when an area impacted by disaster is declared eligible for public assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or otherwise recognized by a Federal agency with authority or jurisdiction over Federal response to the emergency or disaster. Eligible Applicants: Depending on the type of NDWG being sought, eligible applicants for DWGs may include: 1. A designated state or outlying area WIOA program agency; 2. Local Workforce Development Board; 3. Entities eligible to receive funding under 166(c) of WIOA (the Indian and Native American Program provision); 4. Entities determined to be appropriate by the Governor of the State or outlying area involved; and 5. Entities that demonstrate to the Secretary of Labor that capability to effectively respond to circumstances relating to particular dislocation. Eligible Participants: Generally, participants must qualify as a Dislocated Worker as defined under WIOA Sec. 3(15). Certain NDWGs, such as Disaster grants, have additional eligibility criteria. Participant eligibility for each type of DWG is described in TEGL No Operational Guidance for National Dislocated Worker Grants, pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA or Opportunity Act). Self-certification The participant s file must document participants eligibility. Because of the circumstances surrounding the disaster, documentation of eligibility may be difficult to obtain during the initial stages. The Department is prepared to accept an individual's signed certification that they meet the eligibility criteria. The Grantee should have a system in place to verify eligibility for individuals once better data is available. If the Grantee has such a system in place, and if a participant is later found to be ineligible, the costs incurred prior to the discovery of ineligibility will not be disallowed. Residency of Participants -- There is no eligibility or selection criteria based on workers place of residence. Preference should be given to those individuals who lost their jobs (temporarily or permanently) as a result of the covered disaster. B. On-the-Job Training (OJT) OJT may be provided to eligible WIOA participants who, after assessment, are found to be in need of and suitable for training services in order to obtain or retain employment that leads 08/ P a g e

28 to self-sufficiency. LWDA staff must document the decision to provide OJT in the participant s Individual Employment Plan or Individual Service Strategy. The decision should demonstrate that the training chosen is appropriate and necessary, that the participant does not already possess all of the skills necessary for the job, or that the participant needs to upgrade skills to effectively perform another job. No participant my begin OJT employment until a contract has been signed by the employer. C. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) WIOA introduces incumbent worker training as an allowable type of training for a local area to provide. Under WIOA, States could use their statewide activities funds to conduct incumbent worker training, and local areas could conduct incumbent worker training with an approved waiver. Incumbent worker training is designed to either assist workers in obtaining the skills necessary to retain employment or to avert layoffs and must increase both a participant s and a company s competitiveness. Local areas may use up to 20 percent of their local adult and dislocated worker funds for incumbent worker training. In this proposed regulation, the Department seeks to ensure that incumbent worker training is targeted to improving the skills and competitiveness of the participant and increasing the competitiveness of the employer. The training should, wherever possible, allow the participant to gain industry-recognized training experience, and ultimately should lead to an increase in wages. To receive incumbent worker funding under WIOA, an incumbent worker must have an employer-employee relationship, and an established employment history, with the employer. Incumbent workers are employed at the time of their participation, and the contract funds are paid to the employer for training provided to the incumbent worker either to avert a lay-off or otherwise retain employment. An ideal incumbent worker training would be one where a participant acquires new skills allowing him or her to move into a higher skilled and higher paid job within the company, thus allowing the company to hire a job seeker to backfill the incumbent worker s position. VII. Preferred Assessment Instruments: TABE Reading, Language and Math VRII Interest Inventory CAPS Aptitude Testing Career Scope Aptitude Testing 08/ P a g e

29 VIII. ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES (GENERAL ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA) Eligibility Criteria Acceptable Documentation Youth Adult Social Security Number Citizenship/Eligible to Work Selective Service Registration (Males born 1960 or after) Individual/Family Income Family Size/Residence Dislocated Worker Social Security Card (signed) X X X Social Security Benefits Notice X X X School Record MIS Verification (with name and SS# shown) X X X Letter from Social Services Agency X X X W-2 Form X X X Birth Certificate X X X Social Security Card X X X Alien Registration Card indicating right to work X X X US Passport X X X E-Verify (work-related)* X X X Selective Service Advisory Opinion Letter X X X Selective Service Registration form X X X Internet Registration ( X X X Selective Service telephone verification (847) X X X X Alimony Agreement X X Bank Statement (direct deposit) X X Compensation Award letter X X Employer Contact/Check Stubs X X Pension Statement X X Self-employment form X X Social Security benefits X X Family Composition Form X X Barrier letter Letter from Institution X X Non-Dependent form X X X Public Assistance Records (listing address) X X Public Assistance (TANF/Food Stamps) Homeless Disability NOTE: A disabled individual whose Public Assistance Records/Contact X X Non-Dependent Form X X Statement from Shelter X X Statement from Social Service Agency X X Medical Records X X Physician s Statement X X 08/ P a g e

30 family s income exceeds Federal guidelines may be determined eligible if the individual s own income does not surpass guidelines. Veteran Priority Barrier letter X Social Service Record X X Vocational Rehabilitation letter X X DD-214 (most commonly used) X X X Department of Defense Acknowledgment letter X X X Veteran Affairs letter X X X 08/ P a g e

31 IX. ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES (YOUTH BARRIERS) Basic Skills Deficient Pregnant or Parenting School Dropout Offender Homeless/Runaway Foster Child Requires Additional Assistance Free or Reduced Lunch High Poverty Area Generally Accepted Standardized Test Applicant Statement Birth Certificate of Dependent Statement from Social Service Agency Dropout letter from School Court documents Letter of Parole Letter from Probation Officer Police Records Non-dependent form Statement from Shelter Statement from Social Service Agency Court Contact Non-Dependent form Verification of Payment on behalf of child Statement from School Statement from Social Service Agency School Notification of Eligibility Documentation from factfinder.census.gov 08/ P a g e

32 X. ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES (DISLOCATED WORKERS) Terminated/Laid-Off/Received Notice of Termination and Eligible for U.C. and Unlikely to Return Permanent Closure of plant/facility/enterprise or Substantial Lay-off General Announcement of Closure Formerly Self-Employed/Currently Employed Displaced Homemaker Lay-off letter MIS verification U.I. documents/printout E.S. Contact Contact with separating employer Layoff/termination notice Statewide local labor market information Letter from Employer Lay-off notice MIS verification WARN notice Employer or Union verification Newspaper article Business License/Permit IRS Documentation (or tax returns) Labor Market information Unemployment Information Business Ledgers Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (newspaper with date) Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (newspaper with date) AND Permanent Dislocation IRS Documentation (or tax returns) Applicant Statement AND Court Records Bank/Financial Records AND Job Search verification Divorce Decree Employer verification Public Assistance records Spouse Death certificate Spouse Disability check XI. FORMS (Begins on next page) 08/ P a g e

33 O.C.G.A (e)(2) Affidavit By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for WIOA (public benefit), as referenced in O.C.G.A (e)(2), from Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (government entity), the undersigned applicant verifies one of the following with respect to my application for a public benefit: 1. I am a United States citizen. 2. I am a legal permanent resident of the United States. 3. I am a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act with an alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency. My alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency is:. The undersigned applicant also hereby verifies that he or she is 18 years of age or older and has provided at least one secure and verifiable document, as required by O.C.G.A (e)(2), with this affidavit. The secure and verifiable document provided with this affidavit can best be classified as: In making the above representation under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit shall be guilty of a violation of O.C.G.A , and face criminal penalties as allowed by such criminal statue. Executed in (city), (state) SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE DAY OF, 2017 NOTARY PUBLIC My Commission Expires: Signature of Applicant Printed Name of Applicant Affidavit Rev: 01/ / P a g e

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35 2017 Income Guidelines for WIOA Low Income Levels Effective May 30, 2017 (for NWGRC) The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides for the use of one of two sets of data in determining economically disadvantaged persons and program eligibility: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines or the Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL). The higher of the poverty guidelines or 70% of the LLSIL for each family size and area was used in construction of the table below. To determine low income level for any family size, intake staff should compare the individual s family income with the corresponding poverty level figure based on family size and area. Income figures listed in the Poverty Level columns below are utilized when determining whether an individual is considered low income for WIOA eligibility for youth, priority services for adults, and federal reporting for all target groups. WIOA SEC.3(36)(A)(B) defines the term low income individual for eligibility purposes, and SEC. 127(b)(2)(c) and SEC. 132(b)(1)(B)(IV), (V)(bb) define the terms disadvantaged youth and disadvantaged adult in terms of the poverty line or LLSIL for State formula allotments. The income levels shown in the table below will apply to WIOA eligibility and reporting in federal program years , or until another update occurs. Family Size Northwest Georgia Regional Commission WIOA Program Years Six-Month Income Guidelines for WIOA: Low Income Level Figures Effective May 30, 2017 Metropolitan Areas Atlanta MSA Nonmetropolitan Areas 1 $ 6,030 $ 6,030 $ 6, ,120 8,120 8, ,364 10,210 10, ,794 12,300 12, ,101 14,438 14, ,661 16,884 17, ,221 19,329 19, ,781 21,775 22,426 For each over 8 Add: 2,560 2,446 2,520 Region 1 Counties: Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Walker, Whitfield Bartow, Haralson, Paulding, Pickens Chattooga, Fannin, Gilmer, Polk 08/ P a g e

36 2017 Income Guidelines for WIOA Lacks Self-Sufficiency Income Levels Effective May 30, 2017 (for NWGRC) Family Size Northwest Georgia Regional Commission WIOA Program Years Six-Month Lacks Self-Sufficiency Income Guidelines for WIOA: Low Income Level Figures Effective May 30, 2017 Metropolitan Areas (Corrected) Atlanta MSA Nonmetropolitan Areas 1 $10,553 $10,553 $10, ,210 14,210 14, ,137 17,868 17, ,390 21,525 22, ,427 25,267 26, ,907 29,547 30, ,387 33,826 34, ,867 38,106 39,246 For each over 8 Add: 4,480 4,281 4,410 Region 1 Counties: Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Walker, Whitfield Bartow, Haralson, Paulding, Pickens Chattooga, Fannin, Gilmer, Polk 08/ P a g e

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