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Displaced Homemaker

Co-Enrollment

Summary
Displaced Homemaker Program (DHP) (Minnesota Statutes 268.96) has imposed a ruling that upon eligibility approval, an MFIP (basic MFIP eligibility - see definition below) client is allowed to be co-enrolled in MFIP, DHP and other WIOA and non-WIOA programs for further assistance in the DHP programs.

Relevant Laws, Rules, or Policies
Minn. Stat. 268.96
Minn. Stat. 116L.96
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Effective Date
11/1/2012

Last Updated
5/18/2017

Contact
Taryn Galehdari, taryn.galehdari@state.mn.us
Tel   651.259.7540
Fax  651.215.3842
TTY  651.296.3900

Policy

The Displaced Homemaker Program (DHP) encourages coordination of DHP services between programs and agencies serving DHP through the development of working partnerships for provision of information, referral and co-enrollment.

DHP is encouraged to develop cooperative service strategies that make use of co-enrollment with other WIOA Title IB programs (such as Job Corps), the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Dislocated Worker (DW) services (which include DHP) and other WIOA and non-WIOA funded programs.

DHPs have agreements with MFIP/SNAP employment providers to coordinate activities and employment plans for their common participants to get their needs met, enhance both the clients' success in entering or re-entering the workforce, and satisfy the requirements of both programs. These relationships help provide the wraparound services for participants that prevent long-term dependency on government programs, and provide lasting benefits to the client, and ultimately the local community.

Each case is handled individually and based on their eligibility and circumstances. The employment plan will be reviewed and will be consistent and fair for ALL clients.

Program providers are to ensure that all DHP activities conform to the State regulations/guidelines and any subsequent State issued policy.

There are a limited number of people in this population that qualify for other programs with comprehensive services to prepare them for economic stability. Approximately 26% of DHP participants receive Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP/SNAP) services and approximately one percent receive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or (Federal mandated Adult Jobs and Training) services.

The program serves many participants who have no children in the home. This is one reason they may not qualify for such programs as MFIP/SNAP.

Definition of Services for DHP

This program provides pre-employment services that empower participants to enter or re-enter the labor market after having been homemakers.

A displaced homemaker is defined as a person, either female or male, who worked in the home for a minimum of two years caring for home and family, but because of loss of their dependency of that main source of financial support by someone else (totally dependent on that financial support) due to separation, divorce, desertion, death, disability of spouse or partner, or other loss of financial support such as public assistance, must now support themselves and their family. Eligibility is also based on income guidelines.

Note: These individuals have extreme difficulty obtaining employment adequate to support themselves and their family.

The DHP provides the transitional services and vocational preparation needed to assist displaced homemakers to move into the labor market. There is a coordinated effort of personal assessment and peer counseling, the initiation of individuals and group systems, career assessment and guidance, and the exploration of community resources that assist many persons in transition from the home to self-sufficiency in the job market. There are many strategies utilized to assist program participants to build confidence, identify skills, access appropriate training, and seek employment. There are support and networking groups, one-to-one personal and vocational counseling, resume development, decision-making classes, leadership development, and job seeking workshops. Referrals are made to appropriate community resources for such services as remedial education, child care, legal assistance, health issues, and other identified service needs. Transportation, childcare, work and school expenses, and emergency needs are covered when funds are available.

Basic DHP Eligibility Section in WF1 Reporting

Homemaker taking care of own home and family and dependent on someone else or public assistance

AND

Were dependent on the income of spouse, partner, other family member or public assistance

AND

*Are no longer supported by that income due to [ ] death [ ] divorce [ ] separation [ ] disability or [ ] loss of public assistance

AND

Having difficulty obtaining employment adequate to support yourself

*NOTE: In WF1 reporting process when co-enrolling MFIP clients, disregard the – loss of public assistance and check the separation box.

Basic MFIP Eligibility Section

Basic MFIP eligibility factors include who can or must be in the assistance unit. The MFIP assistance unit includes minor children under the age of 18, or age 19 and in school full-time in a secondary school. All minor siblings, and step siblings must be included in the unit, as well as birth and adoptive parents and stepparents.

Stepparents are also mandatory members of the unit whether or not there are children in common.

Eligible relatives and legal custodians (whether relatives or not) can also receive MFIP benefits for minor children, if the children have no parent present in the home. Eligible relatives include, but are not limited to, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings. An eligible relative can choose to be in or out of the assistance unit. If an eligible relative chooses to be in the unit, her or his spouse (if living in the home) must also be included in the unit. When an eligible relative chooses to be in the unit, all of her or his income, as well as the income of the spouse, will be counted toward the grant. Eligible relative caregivers must also participate in Employment Services, unless exempt. Pregnant women and their spouses are also mandatory members of the assistance unit.

Other people may be eligible to receive MFIP but are not mandatory unit members, including some optional caregivers. Consult with the financial worker if you have questions about who is in the MFIP unit. The DHP Directors defer to the work plans and confer with the job coaches in regards to potential MFIP clients.

The Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP, is the state's welfare reform program for low-income families with children. MFIP helps families move to work. It includes both cash and food assistance. When most families first apply for cash assistance, they will participate in the Diversionary Work Program, or DWP. This is a four-month program that helps parents go immediately to work rather than receive welfare.

Some families may be referred to MFIP when they first apply for assistance or after they finish four months of DWP. MFIP helps families transition to economic stability. Parents are expected to work and are supported in working. Most families can get cash assistance for only 60 months.

Basic Dislocated Worker Eligibility Definition for DHP

Individuals who have been terminated or laid off, or have received notice of termination or layoff; who meet attachment to the workforce criteria, but are not eligible for unemployment insurance and are not likely to return to a previous industry or occupation; have received a general notice of the facility closure within 180 days; or is a displaced homemaker; may be eligible for services under the dislocated worker program. A displaced homemaker, for dislocated worker eligibility purposes, is an individual who has been providing unpaid services* to family members in the home, has been dependent on the income of another family member and is no longer supported by that income and is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.

* Probably ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Related Links
Diversionary Work Program
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

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