In exchange for benefits, HRA can require you, as a cash assistance recipient, to attend appointments to determine what type of “work activities” you are required to participate in. Usually, paid work counts as your participation in a work activity. Other than a paying job, “work activities” may include education, training, work experience, rehabilitation, and subsidized or unsubsidized paid employment.

Everyone receiving cash assistance must participate in countable activities for a minimum number of hours per week unless you are exempt from participating in work activities. (If you are exempt, you are not required or have reduced obligations). To comply with HRA work rules, you are required to participate in an evaluation to determine your preferences and to discuss the activities available to you. If you are already working, you will be required to share proof of your job to HRA to get credit for complying with a work activity, but you should not have to miss work to do so.

You may be exempt from work activities if you are:

• Over 60 years old or under the age 16
• Under 19 years of age and attending secondary, vocational, or technical school
• The parent, or caretaker relative of a child under 1 year
• Pregnant and due within 30 days
• Ill, incapacitated or a person with a disability (can be fully or partially exempt)
• Determined to be needed at home to care for a household member(s)
• A victim of domestic violence (can be partially or fully exempt)
• A person who needs treatment or is in treatment for substance abuse (can be partially or fully exempt)

If you miss your appointment or attend and refuse to participate in work activities, HRA will send you a notice with what is called, “a Conciliation/Re-engagement Appointment.” This is HRA’s attempt to help you comply with their requirements. If you ignore this notice, you can be “sanctioned,” meaning HRA can decrease or discontinue your portion of cash assistance.

At the Conciliation/Re-engagement Appointment you have three choices:

• Provide a good cause reason for not attending the original appointment or explain why it was not “willful,” meaning you did not mean to miss the original appointment. Almost any explanation will do, but you must provide a reason.
• Tell HRA you are “willing to comply” going forward. This is called “re-engagement.” Re-engagement does not mean you will necessarily have to participate in a work activity. For example, if you claim a physical or mental limitation limits your ability to engage in work activities, you agree to follow the requirements to participate in an assessment by WeCARE. If you are experiencing domestic violence, agreeing to comply may mean getting screened by a Domestic Violence Liaison.
• Both provide good cause reason AND say you are willing to comply. You can do both! In fact, we recommend it.

If you ignore the Conciliation/Re-engagement Notice, you will most likely receive another notice saying you are going to be “sanctioned” starting on a specific date, the “effective date.” Once the effective date comes, your case will either be closed, or your benefits will be reduced until you agree to comply with work rules or re-engage with HRA in the required process.

No. You need to demonstrate compliance first. Demonstrating compliance means you participate in the work activity process for five days. If you are on a work assignment, this means five days of attendance. If you are seeking an exemption, this might mean showing up to WeCARE and completing an assessment.

A reasonable accommodation is available to people with a mental or physical impairment that makes it difficult for them to do business with the Benefits Access Center. The appointment notice will have instructions on what you need to do to get a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations include shorter waiting times, scheduling appointments around your regular doctor’s appointments, scheduling appointments when it is not rush hour, helping you complete forms, needing a home visit, and more. Complete this form request for reasonable accommodation.

• Try your best to attend the appointments scheduled by HRA (in person or via a phone call) and/or document the reason you cannot attend.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation, apply for one. This could help you defend yourself later if you have a problem complying with work rules.
• Participate in the Conciliation/Re-Engagement Process and give your reason for not attending and show your willingness to comply (even if that means that you are just going through the process of documenting why you should be exempt from work activities).
• If you get a notice that you will be sanctioned, request a Fair Hearing right away, before the notice’s effective date, which will mean your benefits will not be interrupted because you will have “aid to continue.”

Call The Legal Aid Society’s Access to Benefits (A2B) Helpline. We are open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and can be reached directly by calling 888-663-6880.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.