Education for Justice FACT SHEET G-10 Fall 2009
Family
Stabilization Services (FSS)
A new law can help MFIP and DWP families that are having a hard time finding or keeping a job. Now counties must help these families by giving them Family Stabilization Services (FSS).
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT FSS?
· You can get services to help your family become more stable.
· You can get a modified Employment Plan with fewer work or work search hours.
· These services can help you stay out of sanction
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FSS?
You are eligible for FSS if any of the following apply:
·
You are applying
for SSI or Social Security benefits because you are disabled. Get proof from Social Security.
· You are ill, injured, or disabled. This includes physical and mental illnesses. Get proof from a doctor that:
- your illness, injury, or disability is going to last more than 30 days, and
- it keeps you from working 20 or more hours per week.
· You are taking care of a seriously ill or disabled household member. Get proof from a doctor that:
- the person is ill or disabled
- the condition will last more than 30 days
- you need to be home to take care of the person.
· There is a child or adult in your household who is eligible for special medical services. For example, you have a child who is severely emotionally disturbed or an adult with serious and persistent mental illness. Get proof from a doctor or therapist.
· You are a victim of family violence. See our fact sheet, MFIP for Family Violence Victims.
·
You have
been in the
· You are age 60 or older.
· You have a learning disability, you have difficulty reading or writing, you have problems with drugs or alcohol, you have a criminal record, or there is some other reason that you cannot find or keep jobs.
· You have an IQ below 80 and a vocational expert says that you have limited ability to work; or
· You have been receiving MFIP for more than 60 months because you got an extension.
HOW DO I GET INTO FSS?
If you think you might be eligible for FSS, tell your job counselor. Your job counselor should tell you what to do next. If that doesn’t work, talk to your job counselor’s supervisor.
DO I NEED SOME TYPE OF WRITTEN PLAN IF I AM IN
FSS?
You will need to meet with a job counselor to make an FSS plan. An FSS plan should include activities you need to help your family. For example, it could include ESL or GED classes, medical appointments, looking for housing, etc. You should be able to get help with transportation and child care expenses to allow you to participate in your FSS activities.
CAN I TRANSFER TO FSS IF I AM IN SANCTION?
Many families in sanction should be in FSS. You do not have to get out of sanction to transfer to FSS.
CAN I GET MY SANCTION LIFTED?
Many families will get out of sanction if they meet with their FSS counselor. It is also possible to get out of sanction for prior months if you have good cause. Good cause can be illness, lack of child care or transportation, an emergency, family violence, or some other reason that you were not able to follow your employment plan. If you think you have good cause, talk to your job counselor about it. If your job counselor doesn’t agree, file an appeal.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I ASK TO BE IN FSS AND THE JOB
COUNSELOR SAYS I’M NOT ELIGIBLE?
· Talk to your job counselor’s supervisor.
· You have the right to appeal the decision. See our fact sheet, Welfare Appeals.
· Call Legal Aid right away.
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MN Legal Services Coalition |
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