{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-608.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-608.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-608.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-608.html"}],"law_id":56747,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56747,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-608","catch_line":"Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW)","history":"1994, cc. 858, 951, \u00a7 63.1-133.49; 1995, c. 450; 1996, c. 1023; 1999, c. 759; 2000, cc. 483, 491; 2001, c. 483; 2002, c. 747; 2003, cc. 428, 467; 2005, c. 472; 2007, c. 568; 2014, c. 84; 2016, c. 101; 2019, c. 210; 2020, c. 1137; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 160, 209; 2022, c. 298.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall establish and administer the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) to reduce long-term dependence on welfare, emphasize personal responsibility, and enhance opportunities for personal initiative and self-sufficiency by promoting the value of work. The Department shall endeavor to develop placements for VIEW participants that will enable participants to develop job skills that are likely to result in independent employment and that take into consideration the proficiency, experience, skills, and prior training of a participant.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall recognize clearly defined responsibilities and obligations on the part of public assistance recipients and shall include a written agreement of personal responsibility requiring parents to participate in work activities while receiving TANF, earned-income disregards to reduce disincentives to work, and a limit on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall require all able-bodied recipients of TANF who do not meet an exemption to participate in a work activity. VIEW shall require eligible TANF recipients to participate in unsubsidized, partially subsidized or fully subsidized employment or other allowable TANF work activity as defined by federal law and enter into an agreement of personal responsibility.B\n\nTo the maximum extent permitted by federal law, and notwithstanding other provisions of Virginia law, the Department and local departments may, through applicable procurement laws and regulations, engage the services of public and private organizations to operate VIEW and to provide services incident to such operation.C\n\nAll VIEW participants shall be under the direction and supervision of a case manager.D\n\nThe Department shall ensure that participants are assigned to one of the following work activities within 90 days after the approval of TANF assistance:1\n\nUnsubsidized private-sector employment;2\n\nSubsidized employment, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department shall conduct a program in accordance with this section that shall be known as the Full Employment Program (FEP). Persons who are otherwise eligible for TANF may participate in FEP unless exempted by this chapter. FEP shall assign participants to subsidized wage-paying private-sector jobs designed to increase the participants’ self-sufficiency and improve their competitive position in the workforce.\n\t\t\t\tb. Participants in FEP shall be placed in full-time employment when appropriate and shall be paid by the employer at an hourly rate not less than the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Wages earned by a FEP employee during the period for which his employer receives a subsidy pursuant to subdivision c shall be disregarded in the calculation of TANF benefits.\n\t\t\t\tc. Every employer subject to the Virginia unemployment insurance tax shall be eligible for assignment of FEP participants, but no employer shall be required to utilize such participants. Pursuant to Board regulations, participating employers shall receive a subsidy of up to $1,000 per month for each FEP employee for a period not to exceed six months. Employers shall ensure that jobs made available to FEP participants are in conformity with \u00a7 3304(a)(5) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FEP participants cannot be used to displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\td. FEP employers shall:i\n\nEndeavor to make FEP placements positive learning and training experiences;ii\n\nProvide on-the-job training to the degree necessary for the participants to perform their duties;iii\n\nPay wages to participants at the same rate that they are paid to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar experience and employment tenure;iv\n\nProvide sick leave, holiday and vacation benefits to participants to the same extent and on the same basis that they are provided to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar employment experience and tenure;v\n\nMaintain health, safety and working conditions at or above levels generally acceptable in the industry and no less than those in which other employees perform the same type of work;vi\n\nProvide workers’ compensation coverage for participants;vii\n\nEncourage volunteer mentors from among their other employees to assist participants in becoming oriented to work and the workplace; andviii\n\nSign an agreement with the local department outlining the employer requirements to participate in FEP. All agreements shall include notice of the employer’s obligation to repay FEP reimbursements in the event the employer violates FEP rules.\n\t\t\t\t\t\te. As a condition of FEP participation, employers shall be prohibited from discriminating against any person, including program participants, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, or disability;3\n\nPart-time or temporary employment;4\n\nCommunity work experience, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department and local departments shall work with other state, regional and local agencies and governments in developing job placements that serve a useful public purpose as provided in § 482(f) of the Social Security Act, as amended. Placements shall be selected to provide skills and serve a public function. VIEW participants shall not displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\tb. The number of hours per week for participants shall be determined by combining the total dollar amount of TANF and SNAP benefits and dividing by the minimum wage with a maximum of a work week of 32 hours, of which up to 12 hours of employment-related education and training may substitute for work experience employment; or5\n\nAny other allowable TANF work activity as defined by federal law.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and D, if a local department determines that a VIEW participant is in need of job skills and would benefit from immediate job skills training, it may place the participant in a program preparing individuals for a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, a career and technical education program targeted at skills required for particular employment opportunities, or an apprenticeship program developed by the local department in accordance with requirements established by the Department. Eligible participants include those with problems related to obtaining and retaining employment, such as participants (i) with less than a high school education, (ii) whose reading or math skills are at or below the eighth grade level, (iii) who have not retained a job for a period of at least six months during the prior two years, or (iv) who are in a treatment program for a substance abuse problem or are receiving services through a family violence treatment program. The VIEW participant may continue in a high school equivalency examination preparation program, career and technical education program, or apprenticeship program for as long as the local department determines he is progressing satisfactorily and to the extent permitted by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), as amended.F\n\nParticipants may be reevaluated after a period determined by the local department and reassigned to another work component. In addition, the number of hours worked may be reduced by the local department so that a participant may complete additional training or education to further his employability.G\n\nLocal departments shall be authorized to sanction parents up to the full amount of the TANF grant for noncompliance, unless good cause exists.H\n\nVIEW participants shall not be assigned to projects that require that they travel unreasonable distances from their homes or remain away from their homes overnight without their consent.\n\t\t\tAny injury to a VIEW participant arising out of and in the course of community work experience shall be covered by the participant’s existing Medicaid coverage. If a community work experience participant is unable to work due to such an accident, his status shall be reviewed to determine whether he is eligible for an exemption from the limitation on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tA community work experience participant who becomes incapacitated for 30 days or more shall be eligible for TANF financial assistance for the duration of the incapacity, if otherwise eligible.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations providing for the accrual of paid sick leave or other equivalent mechanism for community work experience participants.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":207636,"text":"The Department shall establish and administer the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) to reduce long-term dependence on welfare, emphasize personal responsibility, and enhance opportunities for personal initiative and self-sufficiency by promoting the value of work. The Department shall endeavor to develop placements for VIEW participants that will enable participants to develop job skills that are likely to result in independent employment and that take into consideration the proficiency, experience, skills, and prior training of a participant.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall recognize clearly defined responsibilities and obligations on the part of public assistance recipients and shall include a written agreement of personal responsibility requiring parents to participate in work activities while receiving TANF, earned-income disregards to reduce disincentives to work, and a limit on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall require all able-bodied recipients of TANF who do not meet an exemption to participate in a work activity. VIEW shall require eligible TANF recipients to participate in unsubsidized, partially subsidized or fully subsidized employment or other allowable TANF work activity as defined by federal law and enter into an agreement of personal responsibility.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":207637,"text":"To the maximum extent permitted by federal law, and notwithstanding other provisions of Virginia law, the Department and local departments may, through applicable procurement laws and regulations, engage the services of public and private organizations to operate VIEW and to provide services incident to such operation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":207638,"text":"All VIEW participants shall be under the direction and supervision of a case manager.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":207639,"text":"The Department shall ensure that participants are assigned to one of the following work activities within 90 days after the approval of TANF assistance:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":207640,"text":"Unsubsidized private-sector employment;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":207641,"text":"Subsidized employment, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department shall conduct a program in accordance with this section that shall be known as the Full Employment Program (FEP). Persons who are otherwise eligible for TANF may participate in FEP unless exempted by this chapter. FEP shall assign participants to subsidized wage-paying private-sector jobs designed to increase the participants’ self-sufficiency and improve their competitive position in the workforce.\n\t\t\t\tb. Participants in FEP shall be placed in full-time employment when appropriate and shall be paid by the employer at an hourly rate not less than the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Wages earned by a FEP employee during the period for which his employer receives a subsidy pursuant to subdivision c shall be disregarded in the calculation of TANF benefits.\n\t\t\t\tc. Every employer subject to the Virginia unemployment insurance tax shall be eligible for assignment of FEP participants, but no employer shall be required to utilize such participants. Pursuant to Board regulations, participating employers shall receive a subsidy of up to $1,000 per month for each FEP employee for a period not to exceed six months. Employers shall ensure that jobs made available to FEP participants are in conformity with \u00a7 3304(a)(5) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FEP participants cannot be used to displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\td. FEP employers shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D2i"},"6":{"id":207642,"text":"Endeavor to make FEP placements positive learning and training experiences;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","i"],"prefix":"i","entire_prefix":"D2i","prefix_anchor":"D2i","level":3,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D2iii"},"7":{"id":207643,"text":"Provide on-the-job training to the degree necessary for the participants to perform their duties;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","i","ii"],"prefix":"ii","entire_prefix":"D2iii","prefix_anchor":"D2iii","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2i","next_prefix":"D2iiii"},"8":{"id":207644,"text":"Pay wages to participants at the same rate that they are paid to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar experience and employment tenure;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","i","iii"],"prefix":"iii","entire_prefix":"D2iiii","prefix_anchor":"D2iiii","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2iii","next_prefix":"D2iiv"},"9":{"id":207645,"text":"Provide sick leave, holiday and vacation benefits to participants to the same extent and on the same basis that they are provided to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar employment experience and tenure;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","i","iv"],"prefix":"iv","entire_prefix":"D2iiv","prefix_anchor":"D2iiv","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2iiii","next_prefix":"D2v"},"10":{"id":207646,"text":"Maintain health, safety and working conditions at or above levels generally acceptable in the industry and no less than those in which other employees perform the same type of work;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","v"],"prefix":"v","entire_prefix":"D2v","prefix_anchor":"D2v","level":3,"prior_prefix":"D2iiv","next_prefix":"D2vvi"},"11":{"id":207647,"text":"Provide workers’ compensation coverage for participants;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","v","vi"],"prefix":"vi","entire_prefix":"D2vvi","prefix_anchor":"D2vvi","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2v","next_prefix":"D2vvii"},"12":{"id":207648,"text":"Encourage volunteer mentors from among their other employees to assist participants in becoming oriented to work and the workplace; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","v","vii"],"prefix":"vii","entire_prefix":"D2vvii","prefix_anchor":"D2vvii","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2vvi","next_prefix":"D2vviii"},"13":{"id":207649,"text":"Sign an agreement with the local department outlining the employer requirements to participate in FEP. All agreements shall include notice of the employer’s obligation to repay FEP reimbursements in the event the employer violates FEP rules.\n\t\t\t\t\t\te. As a condition of FEP participation, employers shall be prohibited from discriminating against any person, including program participants, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, or disability;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2","v","viii"],"prefix":"viii","entire_prefix":"D2vviii","prefix_anchor":"D2vviii","level":4,"prior_prefix":"D2vvii","next_prefix":"D3"},"14":{"id":207650,"text":"Part-time or temporary employment;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2vviii","next_prefix":"D4"},"15":{"id":207651,"text":"Community work experience, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department and local departments shall work with other state, regional and local agencies and governments in developing job placements that serve a useful public purpose as provided in § 482(f) of the Social Security Act, as amended. Placements shall be selected to provide skills and serve a public function. VIEW participants shall not displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\tb. The number of hours per week for participants shall be determined by combining the total dollar amount of TANF and SNAP benefits and dividing by the minimum wage with a maximum of a work week of 32 hours, of which up to 12 hours of employment-related education and training may substitute for work experience employment; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"D5"},"16":{"id":207652,"text":"Any other allowable TANF work activity as defined by federal law.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"D5","prefix_anchor":"D5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D4","next_prefix":"E"},"17":{"id":207653,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and D, if a local department determines that a VIEW participant is in need of job skills and would benefit from immediate job skills training, it may place the participant in a program preparing individuals for a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, a career and technical education program targeted at skills required for particular employment opportunities, or an apprenticeship program developed by the local department in accordance with requirements established by the Department. Eligible participants include those with problems related to obtaining and retaining employment, such as participants (i) with less than a high school education, (ii) whose reading or math skills are at or below the eighth grade level, (iii) who have not retained a job for a period of at least six months during the prior two years, or (iv) who are in a treatment program for a substance abuse problem or are receiving services through a family violence treatment program. The VIEW participant may continue in a high school equivalency examination preparation program, career and technical education program, or apprenticeship program for as long as the local department determines he is progressing satisfactorily and to the extent permitted by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), as amended.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D5","next_prefix":"F"},"18":{"id":207654,"text":"Participants may be reevaluated after a period determined by the local department and reassigned to another work component. In addition, the number of hours worked may be reduced by the local department so that a participant may complete additional training or education to further his employability.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"19":{"id":207655,"text":"Local departments shall be authorized to sanction parents up to the full amount of the TANF grant for noncompliance, unless good cause exists.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"20":{"id":207656,"text":"VIEW participants shall not be assigned to projects that require that they travel unreasonable distances from their homes or remain away from their homes overnight without their consent.\n\t\t\tAny injury to a VIEW participant arising out of and in the course of community work experience shall be covered by the participant’s existing Medicaid coverage. If a community work experience participant is unable to work due to such an accident, his status shall be reviewed to determine whether he is eligible for an exemption from the limitation on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tA community work experience participant who becomes incapacitated for 30 days or more shall be eligible for TANF financial assistance for the duration of the incapacity, if otherwise eligible.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations providing for the accrual of paid sick leave or other equivalent mechanism for community work experience participants.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14661,"edition_id":1,"name":"Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14331,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:11","permalink":{"id":271187,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14661,"identifier":"6","token":"63.2\/II\/6","url":"\/63.2\/II\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14331,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Assistance","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271055,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14331,"identifier":"II","token":"63.2\/II","url":"\/63.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":79965,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-600","catch_line":"Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); purpose; administration","url":"\/63.2-600\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-600","metadata":false},{"id":72687,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-601","catch_line":"Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program; goals","url":"\/63.2-601\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-601","metadata":false},{"id":84417,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-601.1","catch_line":"Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Fund established","url":"\/63.2-601.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-601.1","metadata":false},{"id":81085,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-601.2","catch_line":"Statewide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program Funding Pool Program","url":"\/63.2-601.2\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-601.2","metadata":false},{"id":74488,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-602","catch_line":"Eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); penalty","url":"\/63.2-602\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-602","metadata":false},{"id":74954,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-603","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; childhood immunizations","url":"\/63.2-603\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-603","metadata":false},{"id":56245,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-604","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-604\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-604","metadata":false},{"id":86044,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-605","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; parolees and probationers who fail drug tests","url":"\/63.2-605\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-605","metadata":false},{"id":74736,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-606","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; school attendance","url":"\/63.2-606\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-606","metadata":false},{"id":69491,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-607","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; minor parent residency","url":"\/63.2-607\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-607","metadata":false},{"id":58821,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-607.1","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies","url":"\/63.2-607.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-607.1","metadata":false},{"id":56747,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-608","catch_line":"Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW)","url":"\/63.2-608\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-608","metadata":false},{"id":75109,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-609","catch_line":"VIEW exemptions","url":"\/63.2-609\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-609","metadata":false},{"id":70531,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-610","catch_line":"Participation in VIEW; coordinated services","url":"\/63.2-610\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-610","metadata":false},{"id":72928,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-611","catch_line":"Case management; support services; transitional support services","url":"\/63.2-611\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-611","metadata":false},{"id":68263,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-612","catch_line":"Time limit on the receipt of TANF","url":"\/63.2-612\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-612","metadata":false},{"id":63622,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-613","catch_line":"Hardship exceptions","url":"\/63.2-613\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-613","metadata":false},{"id":70176,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-614","catch_line":"Financial eligibility","url":"\/63.2-614\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-614","metadata":false},{"id":78204,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-615","catch_line":"Payment of tuition and other expenses of public assistance recipients enrolled in skill development training programs","url":"\/63.2-615\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-615","metadata":false},{"id":67480,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-616","catch_line":"Provision of public assistance and social services","url":"\/63.2-616\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-616","metadata":false},{"id":64423,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-617","catch_line":"Diversionary cash assistance","url":"\/63.2-617\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-617","metadata":false},{"id":75777,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-618","catch_line":"Notice and appeal","url":"\/63.2-618\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-618","metadata":false},{"id":63471,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-619","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-619\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-619","metadata":false},{"id":86897,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-620","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-620\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-620","metadata":false},{"id":63247,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-621","catch_line":"Restrictions on use of TANF cash assistance","url":"\/63.2-621\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-621","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58821,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-607.1","catch_line":"Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies","url":"\/63.2-607.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-607.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75109,"structure_id":14661,"section_number":"63.2-609","catch_line":"VIEW exemptions","url":"\/63.2-609\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-609","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-608\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 858<\/a> and 951<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 14 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1995, chapter 450<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 1023<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 759<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 483<\/a> and 491<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 483<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 428<\/a> and 467<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 472<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 568<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 84<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 101<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 210<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 1137<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 298<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77388,"section_number":"2.2-2472","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board; Virginia Workforce System created","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2472\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":271233,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56747,"identifier":"63.2-608","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-608","url":"\/63.2-608\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-608\/","token":"63.2\/II\/6\/63.2-608","dublin_core":{"Title":"Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW)","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-608","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall establish and administer the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) to reduce long-term dependence on welfare, emphasize personal responsibility, and enhance opportunities for personal initiative and self-sufficiency by promoting the value of work. The Department<\/span> shall endeavor to develop placements for VIEW participants that will enable participants to develop job skills that are likely to result in independent employment and that take into consideration the proficiency, experience, skills, and prior training of a participant.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall recognize clearly defined responsibilities and obligations on the part of public assistance<\/span> recipients and shall include a written agreement<\/span> of personal responsibility requiring parents to participate in work activities while receiving TANF<\/span>, earned-income disregards to reduce disincentives to work, and a limit on TANF<\/span> financial assistance.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall require all able-bodied recipients of TANF<\/span> who do not meet an exemption to participate in a work activity. VIEW shall require eligible TANF<\/span> recipients to participate in unsubsidized, partially subsidized or fully subsidized employment or other allowable TANF<\/span> work activity as defined by federal law<\/span> and enter into an agreement<\/span> of personal responsibility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> To the maximum extent permitted by federal law<\/span>, and notwithstanding other provisions of Virginia law<\/span>, the Department<\/span> and local departments<\/span> may, through applicable procurement laws<\/span> and regulations, engage the services of public and private organizations to operate VIEW and to provide services incident to such operation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> All VIEW participants shall be under the direction and supervision of a case manager<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall ensure that participants are assigned to one of the following work activities within 90 days after the approval of TANF<\/span> assistance: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Unsubsidized private-sector employment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Subsidized employment, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department<\/span> shall conduct a program in accordance with this section that shall be known as the Full Employment Program (FEP). Persons who are otherwise eligible for TANF<\/span> may participate in FEP unless exempted by this chapter. FEP shall assign participants to subsidized wage-paying private-sector jobs designed to increase the participants’ self-sufficiency and improve their competitive position in the workforce.\n\t\t\t\tb. Participants in FEP shall be placed in full-time employment when appropriate and shall be paid by the employer at an hourly rate not less than the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Wages earned by a FEP employee during the period for which his employer receives a subsidy pursuant to subdivision c shall be disregarded in the calculation of TANF<\/span> benefits.\n\t\t\t\tc. Every employer subject to the Virginia unemployment insurance tax shall be eligible for assignment of FEP participants, but no employer shall be required to utilize such participants. Pursuant to Board<\/span> regulations, participating employers shall receive a subsidy of up to $1,000 per month for each FEP employee for a period not to exceed six months. Employers shall ensure that jobs made available to FEP participants are in conformity with \u00a7 3304(a)(5) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FEP participants cannot be used to displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\td. FEP employers shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

i.<\/span> Endeavor to make FEP placements positive learning and training experiences; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

ii.<\/span> Provide on-the-job training to the degree necessary for the participants to perform their duties; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

iii.<\/span> Pay wages to participants at the same rate that they are paid to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar experience and employment tenure; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

iv.<\/span> Provide sick leave, holiday and vacation benefits to participants to the same extent and on the same basis that they are provided to other employees performing the same type of work and having similar employment experience and tenure; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

v.<\/span> Maintain health, safety and working conditions at or above levels generally acceptable in the industry and no less than those in which other employees perform the same type of work; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

vi.<\/span> Provide workers’ compensation coverage for participants; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

vii.<\/span> Encourage volunteer mentors from among their other employees to assist participants in becoming oriented to work and the workplace; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

viii.<\/span> Sign an agreement<\/span> with the local department<\/span> outlining the employer requirements to participate in FEP. All agreements<\/span> shall include notice of the employer’s obligation to repay FEP reimbursements in the event the employer violates FEP rules.\n\t\t\t\t\t\te. As a condition of FEP participation, employers shall be prohibited from discriminating against any person, including program participants, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, or disability; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Part-time or temporary employment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Community work experience, as follows:\n\t\t\t\ta. The Department and local departments<\/span> shall work with other state, regional and local agencies and governments in developing job placements that serve a useful public purpose as provided in § 482(f) of the Social Security Act, as amended. Placements shall be selected to provide skills and serve a public function. VIEW participants shall not displace regular workers.\n\t\t\t\tb. The number of hours per week for participants shall be determined by combining the total dollar amount of TANF<\/span> and SNAP benefits and dividing by the minimum wage with a maximum of a work week of 32 hours, of which up to 12 hours of employment-related education and training may substitute for work experience employment; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Any other allowable TANF<\/span> work activity as defined by federal law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and D, if a local department<\/span> determines that a VIEW participant is in need of job skills and would benefit from immediate job skills training, it may place the participant in a program preparing individuals for a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board<\/span> of Education, a career and technical education program targeted at skills required for particular employment opportunities, or an apprenticeship program developed by the local department<\/span> in accordance with requirements established by the Department. Eligible participants include those with problems related to obtaining and retaining employment, such as participants (i) with less than a high school education, (ii) whose reading or math skills are at or below the eighth grade level, (iii) who have not retained a job for a period of at least six months during the prior two years, or (iv) who are in a treatment program for a substance abuse problem or are receiving services through a family violence treatment program. The VIEW participant may continue in a high school equivalency examination preparation program, career and technical education program, or apprenticeship program for as long as the local department<\/span> determines he is progressing satisfactorily and to the extent permitted by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), as amended. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Participants may be reevaluated after a period determined by the local department<\/span> and reassigned to another work component. In addition, the number of hours worked may be reduced by the local department<\/span> so that a participant may complete additional training or education to further his employability. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Local departments<\/span> shall be authorized to sanction<\/span> parents up to the full amount of the TANF<\/span> grant for noncompliance, unless good cause exists. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> VIEW participants shall not be assigned to projects that require that they travel unreasonable distances from their homes or remain away from their homes overnight without their consent.\n\t\t\tAny injury to a VIEW participant arising out of and in the course of community work experience shall be covered by the participant’s existing Medicaid coverage. If a community work experience participant is unable to work due to such an accident, his status shall be reviewed to determine whether he is eligible for an exemption from the limitation on TANF<\/span> financial assistance.\n\t\t\tA community work experience participant who becomes incapacitated for 30 days or more shall be eligible for TANF<\/span> financial assistance for the duration of the incapacity, if otherwise eligible.\n\t\t\tThe Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations providing for the accrual of paid sick leave or other equivalent mechanism for community work experience participants. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIRGINIA INITIATIVE FOR EDUCATION AND WORK (VIEW) (\u00a7 63.2-608)\n\nA. The Department shall establish and administer the Virginia Initiative for\nEducation and Work (VIEW) to reduce long-term dependence on welfare, emphasize\npersonal responsibility, and enhance opportunities for personal initiative and\nself-sufficiency by promoting the value of work. The Department shall endeavor\nto develop placements for VIEW participants that will enable participants to\ndevelop job skills that are likely to result in independent employment and that\ntake into consideration the proficiency, experience, skills, and prior training\nof a participant.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall recognize clearly defined responsibilities and obligations on the\npart of public assistance recipients and shall include a written agreement of\npersonal responsibility requiring parents to participate in work activities\nwhile receiving TANF, earned-income disregards to reduce disincentives to work,\nand a limit on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tVIEW shall require all able-bodied recipients of TANF who do not meet an\nexemption to participate in a work activity. VIEW shall require eligible TANF\nrecipients to participate in unsubsidized, partially subsidized or fully\nsubsidized employment or other allowable TANF work activity as defined by\nfederal law and enter into an agreement of personal responsibility.\n\nB. To the maximum extent permitted by federal law, and notwithstanding other\nprovisions of Virginia law, the Department and local departments may, through\napplicable procurement laws and regulations, engage the services of public and\nprivate organizations to operate VIEW and to provide services incident to such\noperation.\n\nC. All VIEW participants shall be under the direction and supervision of a case\nmanager.\n\nD. The Department shall ensure that participants are assigned to one of the\nfollowing work activities within 90 days after the approval of TANF assistance:\n\n 1. Unsubsidized private-sector employment;\n\n 2. Subsidized employment, as follows:\n \t\t\t\ta. The Department shall conduct a program in accordance with this section\n that shall be known as the Full Employment Program (FEP). Persons who are\n otherwise eligible for TANF may participate in FEP unless exempted by this\n chapter. FEP shall assign participants to subsidized wage-paying\n private-sector jobs designed to increase the participants’\n self-sufficiency and improve their competitive position in the workforce.\n \t\t\t\tb. Participants in FEP shall be placed in full-time employment when\n appropriate and shall be paid by the employer at an hourly rate not less than\n the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Wages earned by a FEP\n employee during the period for which his employer receives a subsidy pursuant\n to subdivision c shall be disregarded in the calculation of TANF benefits.\n \t\t\t\tc. Every employer subject to the Virginia unemployment insurance tax shall\n be eligible for assignment of FEP participants, but no employer shall be\n required to utilize such participants. Pursuant to Board regulations,\n participating employers shall receive a subsidy of up to $1,000 per month for\n each FEP employee for a period not to exceed six months. Employers shall\n ensure that jobs made available to FEP participants are in conformity with \u00a7\n 3304(a)(5) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FEP participants cannot be\n used to displace regular workers.\n \t\t\t\td. FEP employers shall:\n\n i. Endeavor to make FEP placements positive learning and training\n experiences;\n\n ii. Provide on-the-job training to the degree necessary for the\n participants to perform their duties;\n\n iii. Pay wages to participants at the same rate that they are paid to\n other employees performing the same type of work and having similar\n experience and employment tenure;\n\n iv. Provide sick leave, holiday and vacation benefits to participants to\n the same extent and on the same basis that they are provided to other\n employees performing the same type of work and having similar employment\n experience and tenure;\n\n v. Maintain health, safety and working conditions at or above levels\n generally acceptable in the industry and no less than those in which other\n employees perform the same type of work;\n\n vi. Provide workers’ compensation coverage for participants;\n\n vii. Encourage volunteer mentors from among their other employees to\n assist participants in becoming oriented to work and the workplace; and\n\n viii. Sign an agreement with the local department outlining the employer\n requirements to participate in FEP. All agreements shall include notice of\n the employer’s obligation to repay FEP reimbursements in the event\n the employer violates FEP rules.\n \t\t\t\t\t\te. As a condition of FEP participation, employers shall be\n prohibited from discriminating against any person, including program\n participants, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender\n identity, national origin, religion, age, or disability;\n\n 3. Part-time or temporary employment;\n\n 4. Community work experience, as follows:\n \t\t\t\ta. The Department and local departments shall work with other state,\n regional and local agencies and governments in developing job placements that\n serve a useful public purpose as provided in § 482(f) of the Social\n Security Act, as amended. Placements shall be selected to provide skills and\n serve a public function. VIEW participants shall not displace regular workers.\n \t\t\t\tb. The number of hours per week for participants shall be determined by\n combining the total dollar amount of TANF and SNAP benefits and dividing by\n the minimum wage with a maximum of a work week of 32 hours, of which up to 12\n hours of employment-related education and training may substitute for work\n experience employment; or\n\n 5. Any other allowable TANF work activity as defined by federal law.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and D, if a local department\ndetermines that a VIEW participant is in need of job skills and would benefit\nfrom immediate job skills training, it may place the participant in a program\npreparing individuals for a high school equivalency examination approved by the\nBoard of Education, a career and technical education program targeted at skills\nrequired for particular employment opportunities, or an apprenticeship program\ndeveloped by the local department in accordance with requirements established by\nthe Department. Eligible participants include those with problems related to\nobtaining and retaining employment, such as participants (i) with less than a\nhigh school education, (ii) whose reading or math skills are at or below the\neighth grade level, (iii) who have not retained a job for a period of at least\nsix months during the prior two years, or (iv) who are in a treatment program\nfor a substance abuse problem or are receiving services through a family\nviolence treatment program. The VIEW participant may continue in a high school\nequivalency examination preparation program, career and technical education\nprogram, or apprenticeship program for as long as the local department\ndetermines he is progressing satisfactorily and to the extent permitted by the\nPersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L.\n104-193), as amended.\n\nF. Participants may be reevaluated after a period determined by the local\ndepartment and reassigned to another work component. In addition, the number of\nhours worked may be reduced by the local department so that a participant may\ncomplete additional training or education to further his employability.\n\nG. Local departments shall be authorized to sanction parents up to the full\namount of the TANF grant for noncompliance, unless good cause exists.\n\nH. VIEW participants shall not be assigned to projects that require that they\ntravel unreasonable distances from their homes or remain away from their homes\novernight without their consent.\n\t\t\tAny injury to a VIEW participant arising out of and in the course of\ncommunity work experience shall be covered by the participant’s existing\nMedicaid coverage. If a community work experience participant is unable to work\ndue to such an accident, his status shall be reviewed to determine whether he is\neligible for an exemption from the limitation on TANF financial assistance.\n\t\t\tA community work experience participant who becomes incapacitated for 30 days\nor more shall be eligible for TANF financial assistance for the duration of the\nincapacity, if otherwise eligible.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations providing for the accrual of paid sick\nleave or other equivalent mechanism for community work experience participants.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, cc. 858, 951, \u00a7 63.1-133.49; 1995, c. 450; 1996, c. 1023; 1999,\nc. 759; 2000, cc. 483, 491; 2001, c. 483; 2002, c. 747; 2003, cc. 428, 467;\n2005, c. 472; 2007, c. 568; 2014, c. 84; 2016, c. 101; 2019, c. 210; 2020, c.\n1137; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 160, 209; 2022, c. 298.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}