FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Provides welfare reform program that's designed to help families to become independent of welfare support through work, personal responsibility and community involvement. Customers are required to participate in work activities for a minimum of 40 hours per week in exchange for TCA, child care, training and emergency assistance.

ELIGIBILITY: Families which include a minor child or pregnant individual. Must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant who resides in Maryland, has applied for Child Support Services and participates in work activity.

COMPONENT EXPLANATIONS:

1) WORK ACTIVITIES: Can include job search, unsubsidized and subsidized employment, work experience, on-the-job training and/or community service. Education activity for adults must be approved and is required for minors with infants. The following are exempt from work activities: adult of child under 1 years; teen mother with child less than 12 weeks; severely disabled adult or child (SSI application required).

2) WELFARE AVOIDANCE GRANT (WAG): Client at caseworker's suggestion, may be referred to this program which is a one-time grant to avoid receiving TCA. Client must be employed for consideration.