MFIP:
The purpose of an Employment Plan (EP) is to identify for each client:

●	The most direct path to unsubsidized employment.
	AND
●	Any subsequent steps that support long-term economic stability.

The EP should build on the client’s strengths and address their challenges. See the definition of EMPLOYMENT PLAN in 0002.21 (Glossary: Employment…).

All MFIP clients:

●	Are mandatory ES participants.
	AND
●	Must develop an EP, unless they: - Have a child under 12 months. AND - Have any remaining months of the child under 12 months ES exemption. AND - Choose to use any remaining months of the child under 12 months ES exemption.
	AND
●	Must comply with the EP if an EP is developed.

EPs are based on information gathered during the assessment process and throughout participation in the program. Development of a basic EP should begin during the 1st meeting with a job counselor, or shortly thereafter.

Failure on the part of a client to develop or comply with hourly requirements in a plan may result in a sanction.

Failure to sign an EP is considered failure to develop an EP and may result in a sanction. If the client qualifies under Family Stabilization Services pre-sanction provisions apply. See 0011.34 (Family Stabilization Services) and MFIP Employment Services Manual 17.61 (Sanctions).

All EPs must be reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether activities and hourly requirements should be revised or not:

●	Non-FSS employment plans every 3 months.
●	FSS employment plans every 6 months.

Sanction clients if they fail to develop or follow the terms of the Employment Plan. See 0028.30 (Sanctions for Failure to Comply - Cash).

There are special provisions for victims of family violence and self-employed clients. See below.

VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

●	Victims of family violence who want to claim a Family Violence Waiver and be exempt from the 60-month time limit must develop and comply with an EP. The EP is developed with the assistance and collaboration of the client, a person trained in domestic violence and a job counselor. MFIP child care is available for all activities included in an approved EP. See 0005.12.12.09 (Family Violence Provisions/Referrals). See PERSON TRAINED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in 0002.49 (Glossary: Permanent...).
●	Victims of family violence who have or are in the process of developing an EP cannot be required to attend an overview done in a group setting. The job counselor must discuss the information normally presented in the ES Overview at the time the EP is developed, unless the client previously attended an Overview. See 0028.09 (ES Overview/SNAP E&T Orientation). If you combine the Financial Orientation and ES Overview, do not sanction the client for failing to attend the regular ES Overview components of the meeting.
●	Any revisions to the plan are completed as part of a collaboration with the client (if possible), a person trained in domestic violence, and the job counselor.
●	If the client fails to cooperate with the EP the 60-month time limit exemption ends and the client must be invited in to develop a new EP. See 0028.30 (Sanctions for Failure to Comply - Cash) and the MFIP Employment Services Manual 8.27 (Non-Compliance and Family Violence Waiver).
●	Employment plans for clients with family violence waivers must be reviewed every 6 months.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT

Self-employment activities may be included in an Employment Plan (EP) contingent on the development of a business plan.

All participants should be encouraged to look for employment that will lead to their self sufficiency. Clients with an approved EP that includes self-employment must meet the participation requirements. Only the hours the client earns at the federal minimum wage count towards the participation requirements. The number of self-employment hours is determined by dividing the net self-employment income by the federal minimum wage. When the number of self-employment hours is less than the number of hours required for the client to be included in the numerator, the participant’s EP should be revised to include additional countable activities, such as job search, paid employment, or unpaid work experience. See TEMP Manual TE12.05 (Minimum Wage).


SNAP:
For SNAP E&T participant Employment Plan requirements, see SNAP E&T Manual 5 (Employment Services).


MSA, GA, HSP:
No provisions.