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(Revised 1/1/04 ML #2897)
(N.D.A.C. 75-02-01.2-76)
Mandatory individuals in the households are required to complete a social contract and sign a social contract by the last day of the fourth benefit month. The four benefit months are not four consecutive months. Failure of the primary individual, and if applicable the second parent in the household, to sign the social contract, without good cause, by the last day of the fourth benefit month of TANF eligibility will result in case closure.
Good cause reasons for not completing the development or for not signing the social contract are:
A medical condition that precludes the individual from leaving home as verified by a licensed physician's statement;
The individual is hospitalized or institutionalized;
Not Enough Time; or
Authorize TANF Benefit without Social Contract.
The good cause reason for “Medical Condition” or “Hospitalization” may be extended for a three-month period only. At the end of the three-month period, a new good cause time period may be entered to extend the time period for an additional three months for these two reasons only. The time period may be shorted than three months but no longer for these two reasons.
The good cause reason for “Not Enough Time” extends the time period of one month and allows the case to pass without an assessment/social contract. It is not optional to extend the time period more than one month for this reason.
The good cause reason of “Authorize TANF Benefit without Social Contract” is available in situations where the case failed for No Social Contract and/or other reasons and was denied in the current month, but an assessment is required prior authorizing the future month. This option allows eligibility workers to authorize TANF without completing a social contract.
An individual who is granted good cause for not signing or cooperating in the development of the social contract may continue to receive TANF benefits after the initial four months if all other factors of eligibility are met. The individual must complete the social contract as soon as the good cause reason is no longer applicable.
