MFIP HARD TO EMPLOY EXTENSION CATEGORY
ISSUE DATE: 03/2026
MFIP:
See 0011.30 (60-Month Lifetime Limit) for an explanation of the 60-month lifetime limit and exceptions. See 0011.33 (MFIP Hardship Extensions) for general information and requirements for hardship extensions. Also see 0011.33.03 (MFIP Employed Extension Category), 0011.33.09 (MFIP Ill/Incapacitated Extension Category).
Counties and Tribal Nations may extend MFIP benefits for the hard-to-employ category after 60 months when documentation is not available by the 60th month. Clients must cooperate with efforts to obtain the documentation, and they may be responsible for an overpayment if they are later determined to not qualify for an extension. Also see 0011.30.03 (MFIP Transition Period). If it appears that their condition would make them eligible for Social Security or other program benefits, require them to apply. See 0012.12 (Applying for Other Benefits).
Clients who are extended in any of the hard to employ categories are considered Family Stabilization Services (FSS) clients and ARE REQUIRED to develop an FSS Employment Plan and follow the FSS service requirements. Clients are subject to post 60-month sanction provisions only after all FSS sanction provisions have been met. See 0011.34 (Family Stabilization Services) and the MFIP Employment Services Manual 17.61 (Sanctions).
The hard-to-employ extension categories must be determined by a qualified professional. See 0011.39 (Qualified Professionals). The following are the hard-to-employ extension categories:
● | DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED OR MENTALLY ILL: Clients with mental illness or developmental disabilities are eligible for an extension of their benefits when the condition severely limits their ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment. |
NOTE: | Consider a client to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that their condition prevents them from working 20 or more hours per week. |
● | LEARNING DISABLED: Clients with a learning disability may be eligible for an extension if the condition severely limits their ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment. |
NOTE: | Consider a client to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that their condition significantly restricts the range of employment that they are able to perform; or the condition significantly interferes with their ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment for 20 or more hours per week. |
● | PARTICIPANTS WITH IQ BELOW 80: Clients with an IQ below 80 may be eligible for an extension of benefits if they have been assessed by a vocational specialist or qualified professional to determine that the condition severely limits their ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment. |
NOTE: | Consider a client to have met the employment related criteria for this category if the qualified professional determines that their condition significantly restricts the range of employment that they are able to perform; or the condition significantly interferes with their ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment for 20 or more hours per week |
● | UNEMPLOYABLE: Before determining whether a client is unemployable, assess whether they are eligible for an exemption from the time limit or a hardship extension under other criteria (for example: learning disabled, low IQ, ill or incapacitated). Identify the problems as clearly as possible to determine what category and/or plan best meets the client's needs. If the client does not meet the criteria for another extension category, but appears to have significant barriers to employment, a determination of their unemployability must be done by a vocational specialist or other qualified professional designated by the county or Tribal Nation. |
● | FAMILY VIOLENCE WAIVER: Clients who are victims of family violence may be eligible for an extension under this waiver. Clients who request this extension must verify the family violence. See 0010.18.33 (Verifying Family Violence). |
SNAP, MSA, GA, HSP:
No provisions.
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