Employment Transportation Assistance Program (ETAP)
The ETAP program is available to assist individuals with their transportation to and from work. Because Fulton County is a rural area and little public transit is available, the program focuses on assisting individuals with their own vehicles.
Eligibility
The welfare to work transportation demonstration program can provide transportation assistance to the following three groups of clients.
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TANF – individuals who are currently receiving TANF benefits from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and are working;
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Former TANF – individuals who are working and do not currently receive DPW TANF benefits, but who did receive these benefits sometime between March 1, 1997 and the present. These persons may currently be receiving food stamps and/or medical assistance benefits;
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Never TANF – working individuals who have never received TANF benefits but meet the definition of a TANF needy family by caring for a dependent child under the age of 18, or 18 and still in high school or its equivalent, and whose gross family income is below 235 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. These persons may be receiving food stamps, medical assistance benefits, and/or job retention services approved or provided by DPW.
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Transportation to and from Work
We will transport a client to and from work. This service will be available 24/7, and arrangements may be made via a toll free number and answering machine 24 hours 7 days a week, or in person during business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Because of the high cost of this mode of transportation, we will limit the availability of direct transport to 20 round trips (one month of working days). Service availablity beyond 20 days will be evaluated based on job attendance and trip no-show/cancelation rate. The first month (20 days) of service will require a $2.00 co-pay per round trip. The second month will require a $3.00 co-pay per round trip. Months three through six of trips will require a $5.00 co-pay per round trip. When using the Transportation portion of this program, it is the clients responsibility to present themselves to the driver within five (5) minutes of the scheduled pick-up, or it will be considered a no-show, and action will be taken in accordance with our sanction policy.
Mileage Reimbursement to and from Work
Mileage Reimbursement will be an incentive for co-workers, friends, and family to transport an individual to and from employment and employment support services. We will reimburse a driver who transports a client to and from employment and employment support services at a rate of $0.20 per mile, and decrease the rate by $0.01 per month. The client will be responsible to report the mileage using the prescribed form, adhering to the polices set in place by the Partnership.
Vehicle Assistance
These services may be arranged during normal business hours.
| Vehicle Repair - ETAP can assist with vechile repair expenses that are not considered routine maintenance. |
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Vehicle Purchase.
A client may receive assistance toward the purchase of a vehicle under the following conditions: The client has been employed with the same organization for a minimum of 20 days, and can provide documentation of zero absenteeism for a period of at least 20 days.
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