Section 38-11A-2 Establishment of a Welfare Employment Program; Eligibility.

(a) The Department of Human Resources shall establish and administer a welfare employment program for persons applying for, or receiving, public assistance in the State of Alabama. The department shall develop program policy, criteria, requirements, and procedures and issue rules and regulations for governance of the program, insofar as federal guidelines permit, and shall assume program management responsibilities including budget planning, cost accounting, data collecting and reporting, evaluation and assessment of program performance, and standards for effective use of distributed funds. The program shall include development of employment strategies, employment-related programs and activities and family support services directed toward affecting the intent and goals of this chapter. (b) As a condition of eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) an applicant shall have applied for at least three positions of unsubsidized employment prior to completing the application process and comply with job search preparation, education, and other employment activities as required by the department. (c) Recipients of TANF cash assistance who voluntarily terminate employment or refuse employment without good cause shall be ineligible for TANF cash assistance.