This presentation is for TANF Applicants who wish to remain in compliance with the rules set forth by HHSC in order to remain eligible for their benefits. It also provides useful information about Workforce Solutions available services and related resources.

1. WORKFORCE
SOLUTIONS
CHOICES
ORIENTATION
Last Updated April 2021

2. Welcome to Workforce
Solutions of Central
Texas’ “Workforce
Orientation for
CHOICES Applicants”.
Killeen/Temple customers must
complete the full orientation, print a
verification certificate, & then speak with
a Choices specialist.
For those in Milam, Lampasas, Mills,
Hamilton, & San Saba Counties, print the
verification certificate and take to your
local HHSC office.
**You may download and/or print this presentation by
clicking on the “Download” button located near the top
of the page**

3. ABOUT THE
CHOICES
PROGRAM
We are in the business of helping our
customers find jobs as fast as
possible.
Services are available to give you tips and skills
to look for and get a job.
More than 70% of our customers find jobs
within 6 weeks! So, give us a few minutes of
your time to see how you can get started.

4. Work and Your TANF
Application
Once work is reported to HHSC, it is still possible to be
certified for TANF. Your Texas Works Advisor will let you
know if you are eligible.If you get employed before you are
certified for TANF, you are eligible for Child Care
If you are working at least 25 hours per week and a work
related expense of $100!
The Advantages of Work:

5. HOW WILL WORK
AFFECT MY
MEDICAID?
For many TANF recipients, HHSC will
allow you to continue receiving TANF and
Medicaid for 4 more months after you
have gone to work!
When no longer eligible for TANF, it is
possible for you and your family to
continue receiving Medicaid for up to 12
months.

6. MEDICAID
AND CHIP
If you as a parent are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you can look to
get help paying for health insurance through the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP).
Simplified Children’s Medicaid: provided at no cost to qualifying
children. Contact your Texas Works Advisor for more information.
CHIP: children’s medical coverage for families that earn too much
money to qualify for Medicaid or who can’t afford private insurance.
Call 1-800-647-6558 for more information.

7. WILL WORK
AFFECT MY
FOOD STAMPS?
Most customers that go to work do continue to receive Food
Stamps. It depends upon the amount of monthly income that
you earn and your household size. On the following slide are
some income limits that you may use as a guide to see if you
could still get Food Stamps. *See your HHSC Texas Works
Advisor for final eligibility determination.

8. Household Size
2
3
4
5
6
Monthly Gross Income Limit
$2,004
$2,518
$3,032
$3,547
$4,061

9. WHY DO I NEED
MY PAYSTUBS?
You must report your employment to avoid losing your
family’s benefits such as Medicaid, housing, child care,
Food Stamps, & TANF.
In many cases, you’ll have to provide your pay stubs as
verification of your wages. This is the easiest way to see if
your family still qualifies for services.

10. To Whom and When Do I
Report Work ?
HHSC Texas Works Advisor
You have 10 days to report income
that affects your TANF and Food
Stamps.
Choices Workforce Specialist
Report work ASAP and ask for TANF
Applicant Child Care or the Work
Related Expense by calling the number
below for your area. (Print this page to
take home with you!)
Temple/Gatesville area: (254) 742 - 4461
Killeen/Cove area: (800) 460-8801 ext 2234
San Saba area: (800) 460-8801 ext 2216
Lampasas/Hamilton area: (800) 460-8801 ext 2216
Cameron/Rockdale area: (800) 774-3009 ext. 4473

11. WHAT IS CHOICES ?
CHOICES is a service provided by Workforce Solutions
of Central Texas that helps Choices eligible customers
find jobs as fast as possible.
Each CHOICES customer will receive individual
attention and services from a Workforce Specialist.
CHOICES services will be provided at NO COST to you
and your family for as long as you are eligible for
Choices and meeting weekly participation
requirements.

12. CHOICES SERVICES
Financial Assistance
Weekly Gas Allowance
Bus Passes
$100 for work-related
expenses
Job-Skills Training
Learn Job search tips
Interviewing skills
Professional Resumes
Online Job Applications
Other Services
No Cost Childcare
Community Referrals for
Family Needs
GED Exam Payment
Community Referrals for
Family Needs
Job Referrals

13. CHOICES
PARTICIPATION
SCHEDULE
Most customers will have the following participation schedule in Choices:
Six (6) weeks of Job Search/Job Readiness (if not already employed) followed by
unpaid volunteer work to gain work skills until you get paid employment 30 hours
or more a week.

14. TANF Check Limits
If certified, HHSC will give you either 12, 24, or 36 TANF checks depending on your
work history and education.
If you use all your checks, you will not be allowed to receive TANF as a parent for 5
years.
The Federal Check limit is a lifetime limit of 60 checks.
If you use all 60 checks, there is a lifetime freeze-out from TANF for the entire family!
It is your personal responsibility as a parent to ensure that your check limit does not
expire by taking advantage of CHOICES services to help increase your family’s income

15. Beginning September 1,
2003, mandatory TANF
recipients must meet all
Choices weekly
participation
requirements each month
while on TANF or risk a
Full Family Sanction.
If sanctioned, you will
lose your family’s entire
TANF check for at least
one month.
You will also lose your
adult Medicaid for at
least one month unless
you are under 19 or
pregnant.
If you receive a Full
Family Sanction, you will
have to meet all Choices
weekly participation
requirements in the month
after you receive your
penalty.
If you do this, you can re-
instate your TANF
benefits after you serve
your one month with no
TANF.
If you do not, your TANF
case will be denied and
you must re-apply for
TANF benefits.
Pay for Performance
(Please Read Carefully)
If you have to re-apply
for TANF because of a
Choices penalty, you
must cooperate with all
Choices participation
requirements for 4
consecutive weeks before
your TANF case will be
approved.

16. If you are completely unable to work for more than 180 days, provide a doctor’s
verification of this to your HHSC Texas Works Advisor as soon as possible while
you are waiting to be certified.
You will NOT be required to participate in Choices if HHSC says you are
exempt from participating.

17. While You Are Waiting
to be Certified
Visit a Workforce Center for employment related services
at the following locations:
Killeen: 300 Cheyenne (800) 460-8801 ext 2234
Temple: 201 Santa Fe Way, Ste. 101 & 201 (254) 742 - 4461
Lampasas: 523 E Third St (512) 556-4055
Rockdale: 313 N. Main St. (800) 487-7520

18. THANK YOU
Thank you for completing this orientation.
We are looking forward to serving you.
The Workforce Solutions of Central Texas System is an equal opportunity employer/programs.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Relay Texas dial 7-1-1
For information contact Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, 300 Cheyenne, Killeen, TX.
76542 Phone: 254-200-2234 Fax: 254-200-2201
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without express permission of the Workforce Solutions of Central Texas is prohibited.