(1) A PES payment may be provided to assist a family with emergency needs related to maintaining employment of training needs necessary to advance in employment provided the family meets all financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements set forth in ARM 37.78.206(4) through (6), 37.78.207(6), and 37.78.420(5) and (6). Issuance of a PES payment is dependent on available funding in the family's county of residence. The payment may be made at the department's discretion for a variety of employment related expenses, including:

(a) transportation, including vehicle repairs, tires, insurance, driver's license fee, gas, etc.;

(b) clothing, such as uniforms and other specialized clothing and footwear or other employment required apparel;

(c) tools and equipment;

(d) union dues, special fees, licenses, or certificates; or

(e) relocation expenses to permit a participant to accept verified employment in another county or state.

(2) A PES payment may not be used to pay for:

(a) any medical service or item; or

(b) fines of any type, including traffic or criminal.

(3) A PES payment will be provided only if:

(a) all other resources have been exhausted including but not limited to the family's personal resources;

(b) the department may require verification of expenses for which the payment is requested; and

(c) one cost estimate for major expenses.

(4) Payments cannot duplicate funds available through supportive services provided by other agencies or programs.

(5) Payments will be made to the individual or to the vendor.

(6) The maximum amount of the payment will be the amount necessary to alleviate the emergency, up to but not in excess of $1,000 per family per year.

(7) A PETE payment may be provided to assist a family with necessary expenses, while the parent is attending a training or education program necessary to advance in employment and is directly intended to promote improved wages. Issuance of a PETE payment is dependent on available funding in the family's county of residence. A PETE payment is $494 per month per household, without regard to the number of parents approved for PETE. The payment may be made at the department's discretion.

(8) To be eligible a household must meet all financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements as stated in ARM 37.78.206(4) through (6), 37.78.207(6) and 37.78.420(5) and (6). The parent applying for PETE must also meet the following eligibility criteria:

(a) must be working an average of 10 hours per week in paid employment;

(b) must have worked at least 30 hours per week for 10 or more of the 16 weeks preceding application for a PETE or enrollment in the current semester/quarter or training program;

(c) must not currently receive TANF cash assistance for themselves or any member of the filing unit;

(d) must have received TANF cash assistance sometime in the two years prior to application for PETE; and

(e) must pass a local community screening by submitting the following documentation:

(i) level of training or education being sought may not extend beyond a bachelor's level;

(ii) proof of acceptance to or enrollment in a training program or educational institution;

(iii) a written plan detailing career advancement goal and training/course/class schedule to ensure program completion by June 30, 2003 and if the program extends beyond June 30, 2003, the plan must include an explanation of how the parent will complete the program once PETE assistance ends; and

(iv) proof of current paid employment.

(9) Once a parent is approved for PETE the parent will continue to be eligible as long as the parent has an eligible minor child in the home and the parent verifies monthly that:

(a) the parent is following the PETE career advancement plan; and

(b) the parent continues to work an average of 10 hours per week.

(10) A work support payment may be provided to a TANF cash assistance household to assist with employment related needs, the month following the month of case closure. Issuance of a work support payment is dependent on available funding. A work support payment is equal to the TANF cash assistance benefit standard for a household of three as defined in ARM 37.78.420.

(11) An assistance unit is eligible to receive a work support payment when:

(a) the assistance unit is losing TANF cash assistance eligibility due to new or increased earnings from employment and the new or increased earned income was reported within ten calendar days of the participant's knowledge of the change; and

(b) the assistance unit has not received a work support payment in the prior 12 months.