Matching Grant Program

Client Rights and Responsibilities

Caseworkers should review this information with clients after they have been determined to be eligible for
enrollment in the Matching Grant Program. Clients should then sign at the bottom of the last page to
acknowledge that they understand their rights and responsibilities as program participants. This letter
should be given to clients in their native language, and translation services should be provided as needed.

Matching Grant Background

The Matching Grant Program enables clients to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment as an
alternative to receiving public cash assistance. The program assists clients in finding employment within
120 to 180 days after their date of eligibility by providing intensive employment services as well as case
management services and special financial and material assistance.

Client Rights
The Matching Grant Program provides eligible clients with the opportunity to get a head start on securing
employment while receiving special assistance and extended case management services. All program
participants will receive:
Case management services through the end of the program, as needed
Intensive employment services (employable clients only), including:
Individualized job counseling
Job readiness classes, including an orientation to the American workplace and an overview of
employer expectations
Weekly assistance with the job search
Assistance in applying for and interviewing for jobs
Support during initial weeks of employment
Financial and material assistance, including:
Cash allowance beginning upon enrollment and continuing through 120 days of Matching Grant
program eligibility or until income from employment renders the family unit economically selfsufficient:
-

Matching Grant family units will receive a minimum of $50 per week for each adult family
member enrolled in the program and a minimum of $10 per week for each child enrolled in
the program.

This money can be used for personal items such as clothing, deodorant, shampoo, or bus
tickets. It should not be used for food, housing, or regular transportation, as these items
should be paid for using other forms of assistance provided through the program.

Revised October 2014

With the clients written concurrence, IRC may withhold a portion of minors allowance until
the end of the MG Program service period to build up a familys savings, provided that the
remaining monthly allowance is sufficient to by personal items as needed.

If enrolled MG clients are receiving cash benefits allowances through the Reception and
Placement Program, IRC needs to only ensure that total cash payments (R&P and MG
Program) are equivalent to the required Matching Grant Program cash allowance.

Housing assistance
-

Rent: For active cases that require IRC provided housing assistance, rent will begin upon
enrollment and continue through 120 days from eligibility or until income from employment
renders the case self-sufficient.

Utilities: Utility payments, including for electricity, gas, water and sewer, will begin upon
enrollment and continue through 120 days from eligibility or until income from employment
renders the case self-sufficient. Utility bills will be in the head of households name and will
be the clients responsibility to maintain once IRC payments end.

Security Deposit (if not paid through R&P program): Once a client completes the
program, the IRC will ask the landlord to return the rental security deposit to the family unit
at the end of the leasing period. The IRC has no control over the amount to be refunded; the
landlord makes the determination in accordance with each individual lease agreement and the
condition of the apartment when the family unit moves.

Food assistance, as needed

Transportation assistance, as needed

Client Responsibilities
Clients enrolled in the Matching Grant Program are expected to work closely with IRC staff in order to
become self-sufficient through employment by the 120th day. Program participants should be highly
motivated to seek employment and must be physically ready to work. Any conditions that would prevent
Matching Grant participants from working must be disclosed to the IRC prior to signing up for the program.
All employable Matching Grant Program participants must:
Attend all IRC job readiness classes provided unless otherwise excused
Attend all IRC English classes provided or otherwise participate in English language training as
indicated in the Resettlement Plan
Be on time or early for all appointments with IRC staff and employers
Accept any job interview
Inform IRC staff of all contacts made with potential employers
Not schedule any appointments which might conflict with their job search
Accept the first available job
Revised October 2014

 Consult with IRC staff prior to changing jobs

Inform IRC staff of any important changes that might impact participation in the program
Not access public cash assistance during the program period
Once clients have been successfully placed in a job, they should make every effort to maintain that
employment. Making a good impression and working hard can only benefit clients, and will enhance the
IRCs ability to find employment opportunities for future clients. In addition, clients should continue to
work on improving their English language skills, as this will increase employment opportunities in the
future.

Sanctioning Policy
If Matching Grant clients do not fulfill these responsibilities or otherwise exhibit an overall negative or
uncooperative attitude, they may be sanctioned or even terminated from the program. This means that
clients may lose part or all of the services and/or assistance provided to them as a result of participating in
the program.
Although sanctioning is a rare occurrence, clients should be aware of the sanctioning process and the
consequences of being sanctioned or terminated from the program.
Depending on the circumstances, possible sanctioning steps include:
1. Contact the client who is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities to let him/her know the consequences
of non-compliance.
2. Meet with the client, if needed or requested, to discuss non-compliance issues. The purpose of such a
meeting would be to provide the client with an opportunity to explain why he/she has not been
carrying out his/her responsibilities. It is also an opportunity for IRC staff to further explain program
expectations.
3. Reduce the financial assistance provided to the client, if it is deemed that this would encourage
compliance.
4. Terminate all benefits offered to the client, including rent payments. This will occur if the client
demonstrates an unwillingness to cooperate. The IRC will provide written notice explaining the
sanctions or termination from the program and the reasons for such action.
Matching Grant clients have the right to appeal sanctioning or termination decisions to the Resettlement
Office or, if desired, to IRC Headquarters in New York.

Client Acknowledgement
I,
, acknowledge that the
rights and responsibilities of participation in the Matching Grant Program have been thoroughly explained to
me by IRC staff, and that translation services have been provided as needed. A copy of this Client Rights
and Responsibilities letter has been provided to me in my native language, and I have had adequate
opportunity to ask questions and clarify my understanding of the role expected of me as a result of my
participation in the program, as well as of the benefits to be provided by the IRC.

Revised October 2014

Signature:

Date:

If any adult member(s) is designated as a non-employable member of the case:

I,
, acknowledge that
employment services were offered to me as part of enrollment in the Matching Grant program, but I have
elected to decline to participate in employment services.
Signature:

Date:

Caseworker:
Signature:

Revised October 2014

Date: