Bridge To Hope Logo

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

ACROYNMS

Frequently used acronyms in the FAQ below:

  • BTH:Bridge to Hope. A University of Hawai’i program for TANF-recipient students.
  • TANF: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. The federally funded program, otherwise known as “welfare.” TANF requires participation in work activities to receive benefits.
  • TAONF: Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families is the state funded program for 2-parent & immigrant families in Hawai’i.
  • FTW: First-to-Work is Hawai’i’s office responsible for the work component of TANF.
  • MERF: Monthly Eligibility Report Form; submitted to the IM (cash assistance) case manager.
  • IM: Income Maintenance Worker, your case manager for cash assistance.
  • DHS: Hawai’i State Department of Human Services

GENERAL QUESTIONS

ELIGIBILITY

BTH JOBS & WORK HOURS

DHS PAYMENTS

SUMMER SEMESTER & BACK TO COLLEGE

QUESTION NOT LISTED?

GENERAL ANSWERS

  • Q1. What is Bridge to Hope? What do you offer?
    Bridge to Hope is a partnership between the University of Hawai’i and the Hawai’i State Dept. of Human Services’ First-to-Work program. Bridge to Hope offers on-campus student employment for full-time enrolled students who have a First-to-Work employment requirement. Bridge to Hope also offers access to other student services to help welfare-recipient students succeed in their educational goals. Bridge to Hope is available at all University Hawai’i campuses statewide. Click here for BTH Campus Contacts.
  • Q2. What is Bridge to Hope’s relationship with First-to-Work?
    Bridge to Hope (BTH) is a University of Hawai’i program which specifically serves First-to-Work participating students. Participation in BTH is voluntary and is intended to assist students in meeting FTW employment requirements while successfully balancing school, work and family demands. Both FTW and BTH are bound by strict confidentiality requirements and may only share information when permission is specifically granted by the client/student. Bridge to Hope does not “enforce” FTW rules, but all BTH program policies are in compliance with FTW requirements.
    Bridge to Hope staff are University educators; First-to-Work staff are welfare case managers. The two state agencies have partnered to offer FTW participants access to and support for college education as a strategy for achieving economic self-sufficiency. Additionally, BTH is available to assist students with understanding and succeeding within both agencies’ culture and expectations.
  • Q3. I want to go to school. What do I do?
    Click on Back to College resources page. You may also call either the BTH System-wide Coordinator (956-8059) or a Bridge to Hope contact at the school you are interested in attending.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Q1. Who is eligible for BTH?
    Cash assistance/TANF recipients with a First-to-Work work requirement who are full-time enrolled at any University of Hawai’i campus. Part-time students are not eligible. TANF participants exempt from work requirements are not eligible.
  • Q2. What is TANF?
    TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) is the federal government’s term for cash assistance or welfare. It used to be known as AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children). There is a work requirement to receive cash assistance and in Hawai’i that office is called “First-to-Work.” Click on Resources/Research for info about changes to welfare begun in 1996.
    TAONF (Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families) is the state-funded program that “mirrors” or replicates the program for 2-parent and/or immigrant families. There is some funding available for BTH employment for TAONF recipients.
  • Q3. How do I get TANF?
    TANF has strict income and assets limits linked to the federal poverty level for the size of your family. Additionally, you must have less than $5,000 in assets, not counting your home and car. To apply for TANF, food stamps, childcare subsidies, etc. contact the DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services office in your area (see State Government pages in the phone book) or www.hawaii.gov/dhs. The Dept. of Human Services has an online application program, RealChoices and program eligibility information is also accessible at their website.
  • Q4. How Do I Participate in Bridge to Hope?
    If you are a First-to-Work participant and are full-time enrolled at any UH campus contact the BTH campus contact for your location to discuss BTH on-campus employment.
    If you are not yet enrolled at a University of Hawai’i campus, check out the Back to College page (hot link to page). Once you’ve done some research and decided which campus /program you’re interested in, discuss your education plans with your FTW case manager. To participate in the FTW education plan, you must be in compliance with all FTW rules. Assessment tests are also administered by FTW to determine your skills and readiness for college.
  • Q5. I only receive food stamps. Am I eligible for Bridge to Hope?
    No. Bridge to Hope is available to cash assistance (TANF) recipients with a work requirement. If you become eligible for cash assistance, then you could be eligible for Bridge to Hope.

BTH JOBS & WORK HOURS

  • Q1. How do I apply for a Bridge to Hope job?
    Call the BTH contact for your campus. Beginning Fall 2005, all campuses use the online student employment website at www.hawaii.edu/sece . Because of the transition to online referrals, you should contact the BTH campus contact at your campus for an initial appointment. Also ask them what the process if for referrals and hiring for BTH on their campus. Check the BTH campus contacts for campus-specific requirements and about the paperwork to bring to your initial appointment.
  • Q2. I’m already working, do I have to participate in Bridge to Hope?
    No. BTH is a voluntary program. If you are currently meeting your work requirements and your employment is convenient for attending school that is good. However, if your current job interferes with your class schedule or your employer expects you to work more hours than is necessary for FTW, you may consider switching to on-campus BTH employment.
    All FTW participants enrolled at a UH campus (even if working off campus) are encouraged to contact the BTH campus contact if they have any problems with their educational activities or with First-to-Work. BTH offers student support services as well as campus employment.
  • Q3. I’m waiting to be referred to First-to-Work, what do I do?
    If you have been referred to First to Work and you are currently meeting your work requirements, you can “self refer” to the First-to-Work office nearest you (see State Government pages in phone book). Call and tell them you have been referred to FTW, are enrolled at UH and wish to participate in the next orientation session.
  • Q4. What kinds of Jobs are available with Bridge to Hope?
    Bridge to Hope provides funding for on-campus student employment. Available jobs depend on the campus needs and the students’ skills. While BTH funds a student, we ask the site supervisor to provide the necessary training, supervision and work expectations consistent with all student employees. While the funding for a BTH student is different, the job expectations are not. We ask offices to consider that BTH students are single parents and understand that a sick child will necessarily mean students will not be able to work while their child is sick. Depending on the age of the child, this can happen more or less frequently. BTH and FTW encourage students to develop back-up childcare plans (plans b & c).
    BTH cannot guarantee anyone a work placement related to their academic interests. For your initial job placement, you can expect a job that does not conflict with your academic schedule.
    Many are “student assistant” positions in offices performing clerical work.
    Some campuses have more opportunities for work directly related to the students’ interests. If a BTH student is able to develop a work placement of interest to them, they should discuss this with their BTH campus contact.
  • Q5. How much do Bridge To Hope jobs pay?
    Bridge to Hope employment is student employment. All jobs are paid according to the UH student employment pay schedule which is related to the job being performed and the skills needed for the job.
  • Q6. How many hours do I need to work?
    Different programs and subsidies have different work activity requirements. Ask your First-to-Work case manager to clearly explain what is expected of you. The First-to-Work education policy requires 20 hours for full-time enrolled students. The childcare subsidy program requires 97 hours per month (23 hours per week) to receive the maximum reimbursement.
  • Q7. How does the 20-hour FTW education option work?
    If you are enrolled fulltime for 12 credits, you need 8 hours of paid employment to meet the FTW 20-hour per week work requirement (12 + 8 = 20). There is a minimum requirement of 4 hours of paid employment per week. The calculation is: Credit or classroom hours + paid employment = 20 hours.
    The First to Work Education Policy is available for all FTW participants. Fulltime enrollment allows you to reduce your work activities from 32 to 20 hours per week and also counts your credit hours towards the 20-hour work requirement. There is a minimum requirement of 4 hours of paid employment per week.
    Download the First-to-Work Education Policy here. It is also available at www.hawaii.gov/dhs
  • Q8. Do 2-parent (TAONF) families have the same work requirements?
    No. If both adults are work capable (not exempt) they must meet 32 hours of activities between the two of them. They may participate in education, but they are not able to utilize the reduced work activity option. If only one of the adults is “work required” (the other “exempt”) then the 20-hour option is available. Also, TAONF participants are not eligible for summer school tuition assistance.
  • Q9. I have 18 credits, how many hours do I need to work?
    A minimum of 4 hours of paid employment is required to utilize the 20-hour reduced work activity. With 18 credit hours, you need to complete a minimum of 4 hours of paid employment to meet the FTW rules.
  • Q10. Do volunteer hours count towards my First-to-Work requirement?
    No. Those utilizing the 20-hour FTW Education option can only count classroom time and paid employment (minimum of 4 hours required). Volunteer hours only count towards the standard 32-hour work requirement.
  • Q11. What is “classroom contact hours?”
    This is the amount of time that you are scheduled to be in the classroom. It is related to credit hours but can be more. For example, if you are enrolled in a 1 credit lab which meets for 3 hours a week, your “classroom contact hours” are 3 not 1. You would count the 3 hours of class, not the 1 credit hour towards your weekly work activities.
  • Q12. How many credits is fulltime?
    At the University of Hawai’i, during the regular academic year, 12 credits is considered fulltime for undergraduates. During Summer session, rules can vary among campuses. At UH Manoa 6 credits per summer session is considered full-time. Ultimately, the educational institution & program determine what is considered “fulltime.”
  • Q13. What if I drop a class? Can I increase my work hours to make up the difference?
    Once your credit load falls below 12, you are no longer a full time student. This means your work requirements would increase to 32 hours per week and you would not be eligible for Bridge to Hope employment. Dropping below fulltime enrollment may also affect your Financial Aid.
  • Q14. I have a 3-credit Internship for 10 hours per week. How do I count my hours?
    If your combined classroom and internship hours equal or exceed 32, you will meet the work requirement. However, to use the reduced work requirement you must have 4 hours of paid employment. Count the 10 hours per week plus any classroom contact; this will exceed the 3-credits hours, so don’t count them for your Internship. For example, if all your classes plus the internship equal 22 hours per week, you will still need to work 4 hours of paid employment (=26 hours).
    A course that requires “volunteer” hours must have them listed in the course syllabus as required (not optional, not extra credit) and then you may count them towards your work activities. You must still participate in a minimum of 4 hours of paid employment.
    If a practicum is required for your degree (e.g. nursing, social work) then it is also countable towards work activities. If you are in the Nursing, Dental Hygiene or other program with extensive practicum requirements, contact BTH (956-8059) for assistance in coordinating your work and school hours.
  • Q15. How many hours can I work on Bridge to Hope?
    Participants are limited to a maximum of 12 hours per week during school session. These 12 hours combined with 12 credits will allow people to maximize their childcare reimbursement.
  • Q16. Can I combine Bridge to Hope with other student employment to earn more money?
    Bridge to Hope is intended as a convenient way for students to meet their First-to-Work requirements. Work hours are limited to 12 per week to encourage study and time with family.
    Students wishing to work more than 12 hours per week will have to find alternative employment either with federal work study or private sector employers.
    While BTH understands that participants need to maximize their earnings, research indicates that working more than 12 hours per week has a negative impact on students’ time for academic achievement. Student parents are encouraged to spend additional time with family and studying. BTH is intended to reduce the work requirements. Working more than 12 hours contradicts the intention of the program.
  • Q17. When do I get paid?
    Pay dates are the 5th and 20th of every month. If these dates fall on a weekend, you will be on paid the previous workday (e.g. if the 5th is a Saturday, you will be paid on Friday the 4th). Student employment is lagged 4 weeks. For example, a timesheet submitted on Sept. 27, will be paid on Oct. 20. Your initial paycheck can take 6-8 weeks from your initial date of hire.
  • Q18. Why didn’t I get my paycheck?
    If you did not turn in your timesheet when required, your timesheet is held and combined with the next one. For example, if you missed the Sept. 27 due date and submitted on the 28th, your timesheet will be combined with your Oct 12 timesheet and both will be paid on Nov. 5th. The total number of hours worked is combined and cannot be delineated by time period for your FTW caseworker. Use a copy of your timesheet to do that. Your pay stub should be information for your MERF (monthly eligibility report form). In order to avoid this inconvenience, be diligent about submitting your timesheet on time!
  • Q19. When are timesheets due?
    Every campus and department has different due dates (typically around the 9th & 25th, give or take) for submitting timesheets to UH central payroll. Ask your supervisor for a schedule of timesheet due dates and don’t miss them.
    Because payroll, BTH, FTW and DHS all use the payroll information for different but related reporting about the BTH program, it is very important that your timesheet be submitted regularly and on schedule. Accumulations of payroll across months and budgeting periods are not acceptable.
  • Q20. How many hours do I need to work over academic breaks?
    All BTH participants are expected to maintain their regular work hours during academic breaks (typically 8-12 hours). This will meet your FTW program requirements. You are not required to work to “make up” for classroom hours during regularly scheduled academic breaks. However, if there is an opportunity to increase your work hours (check with your supervisor & your BTH campus contact) you may work up to 24 hours per week during the academic breaks.
    Remember! Your childcare reimbursement is calculated on 97 hours of activities per month. There is no “good cause” for not meeting activity requirements for childcare reimbursements. Your childcare subsidy will be reduced if your work hours do not meet 97 in the month (approx. 23 hrs per week).
  • Q21. My work site is closed over Winter break, how can I meet my work requirements?
    If your regularly scheduled work site is unavailable during the school breaks, this is a “good cause” exemption from fulfilling FTW requirements. However, FTW requirements and childcare reimbursement are calculated separately. You can have a “good cause” exemption from your work requirement, but that means you will not meet the hours needed for full childcare reimbursement.
    If your worksite is unavailable and you need to work to pay for your childcare, contact your BTH campus contact and discuss your options.
  • Q22. I had “good cause” for not working 20 hours, but my childcare is reduced. Why is that?
    Work requirements and childcare reimbursements are similar but calculated separately. While you may have “good cause” for not working (work unavailable) there is no “good cause” for maintaining childcare reimbursements. Each month’s reimbursement is based on the number of hours you were involved in work activities and would require childcare.
  • Q23. I’m not sure I will pass a class. Should I drop it to maintain my grade point?
    If you are having difficulty with a course, consult with your instructor and also your Bridge to Hope campus contact about your options before making decisions to drop classes. Tutoring or other assistance may be available. If you drop a class, the increased 32-hour work requirement will leave even less time for coursework and might negatively impact your remaining courses.

DHS PAYMENTS

  • Q1. Every month my childcare reimbursement is different. How is it calculated?
    Childcare reimbursements are linked to work hours but are calculated separately from the work requirement. Childcare reimbursement is based on the kind of childcare (licensed preschool, relative caregiver, After School, etc) and the number of hours of work activities (class & paid employment) that you do each month. The magic number for maximizing childcare reimbursement is 97 hours per month (or 45 hours for Before/After School Care). DHS calculates the number of hours you work per week, multiplied by 4.33 (23 hours per week x 4.33 = 99 hours per month). If you are not in school or at work for 23 hours every week, your childcare reimbursement is reduced. The difference between 97+ hours and 86 hours (20 x 4.33) can be almost $100 per month.
  • Q2. I find it difficult to talk to my case worker. What can I do?
    Good communication requires courtesy and organization. As a client, power is balanced in favor of the case manager. However clients have a right to expect courteous, correct and timely information. Your case manager has the same expectations. DHS & FTW do not reassign case managers because of conflicts. It is in your best interest to understand the rules and be organized. See Case Workers under the Resources page for successful strategies to make the most of your interactions with your case manager.
    If you are having difficulty with a case manager, you can contact the BTH coordinator (956-8059) who can assist you in communicating with FTW and DHS.
  • Q3. My monthly benefit is reduced and I don’t know why. What can I do?
    First, call your financial assistance case manager and report the problem. They should be able to explain the change. Perhaps someone miscalculated and incorrectly reduced your payment. Ask them when you can expect to receive the rest of your benefits. Be sure your MERF is submitted on time.
    If your benefits are stopped or reduced and you do not agree with the reason given, you have the legal right to dispute the decision through the Fair Hearing Process. Be sure to meet the 90-day filing deadline. See Case Workers Resource page for more discussion of the Fair Hearing process.
  • Q4. I reported my first paycheck for BTH. Why are my cash assistance and food stamps reduced?
    Bridge to Hope earnings are “exempt” from calculation against your cash assistance and food stamps. If your food stamps or cash assistance are reduced because of your income from BTH, you need to inform your Income Maintenance worker (not FTW) immediately. It is recommended that you attach the memo indicating BTH income as exempt to your first couple months of MERFs.
  • Q5. I report my earnings on my MERF. Why does my FTW case manager want to see my check stub?
    First-to-Work is responsible for all employment related rules. They want to confirm that you have worked the appropriate number of hours. BTH recommends that you share a copy of your signed timesheet with FTW to most accurately verify hours worked. Remind your FTW case manager that payroll is lagged 4 weeks and does not cover a uniform number of work dates. For students, State of Hawai’i pay stubs are not the most detailed or reliable measure of a student’s work hours; timesheets signed by supervisors are. It is recommended that you make a copy of all timesheets and pay stubs for your personal records.
  • Q6. I received my income tax refund. Will this affect my “financial?”
    No. While your Income Maintenance worker wants you to list your tax return on your MERF because it is money that you received during the month, your income tax refund is not “countable income” for the month you receive it. However, if you leave your tax return in your savings/checking account and you exceed the “assets” limit for food stamps ($2000 in savings/checking) you could be ineligible for food stamps until your assets are below $2000. Many people pay off bills with their tax return. You can also check out IDA (Individual Development Accounts) which allow you to save money for specific uses (education, homes, businesses) and sometimes have your savings matched.
    All BTH participants should be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) because you have earned wages. See Budgeting/Debt Resources page for more info on filing for the EITC.
  • Q7. I received a scholarship for $1000, will this affect my “financial?”
    No. All educational income (loans, scholarships, grants, BTH & work study employment) are “exempt” income” for financial assistance and food stamps.
    Student loans are not income. They are a debt to be repaid; therefore they are not and should not be listed as income.
  • Q8. My kids received $200 from their Auntie. Will this affect my “financial?”
    Yes. People have found to their dismay that all cash reported to DHS, unless specifically exempted (tax refund, BTH or work study) are considered “unearned income” and deducted from the monthly stipend.
    Remember! DHS wants to know about cash flowing through your household. If someone wishes to assist your household, ask them to pay your phone bill or purchase children clothing. These are not reportable events for DHS and will not impact your eligibility. If you are new to DHS/FTW, talk to other BTH students about their strategies or ask BTH System-wide Coordinator Teresa Bill about unearned and exempt income.
    If your cash assistance is being reduced, and you disagree with the action of your case manager, you have the right to a “Fair Hearing.” Information should be printed on the back of all of the forms you receive from DHS. An informal means is usually faster to resolve problems, but be sure that you file your request within the time limit. If your problem is complicated enough to require a fair hearing you should contact the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii at 536-4302 on Oahu or 1-800-499-4302 from neighbor islands.
  • Q9. My 60-months of TANF are finished. Am I eligible for anything else?
    DHS has a program that pays $200 a month (up to 24 months) for people employed at least 20 hours per week. Talk to your IM cash assistance case manager about this program. If your income remains low, you will also continue to be eligible for food stamps and your children eligible for Quest (If you work 20 hours per week, your employer is required to provide you with health coverage. If they verify that you are not eligible for health care, DHS will cover you for Quest).
    Unfortunately, if your TANF benefits end during the semester, you will no longer be eligible for Bridge to Hope employment. You can look for employment with private sector employers. Student employment on campus during the school year is limited to 19 hours per week.

SUMMER SEMESTER & BACK TO COLLEGE

  • Q1. Does First-to-Work pay for Summer school?
    If you are full-time enrolled and otherwise eligible, Bridge to Hope employment is available all year, including summer. First-to-Work has a policy supporting tuition, fees and books for qualified summer school participants. The process to request First-to-Work to pay for summer semester is in the forms section. Your summer courses must fulfill your educational plan and advance your degree completion. You need to document the unavailability of financial aid. You must provide your FTW case manager with a complete request.
  • Q2. My case manager denied my request. What can I do?
    BTH encourages participants to utilize the DHS/FTW “chain of command” when seeking assistance. See Case Workers for more info. Ask your case manager why you are being denied. You may request to see the rule they applying. If you still disagree, you may ask to speak to the supervisor, who may not be immediately available. This may require a few phone calls. Be sure to leave your name, your case manager’s name, your contact info and your request. You can also contact BTH System-wide Coordinator Teresa Bill with your concern and assistance with your question. But give the supervisor and case manager time to address your request. It is your responsibility to keep a record of who you talked to, and when. Also, keep organized copies of all relevant paperwork and correspondence.
  • Q3. School has finished for the semester. How long do I have to find a job for the summer?
    If you are not enrolled fulltime, you will have 30 days from the date your status changes (end of finals week) to be fully compliant with FTW work rules. In general, FTW gives you 30 days to achieve program compliance through employment or volunteering. You are expected to participate in job search and should keep track of those hours. You may count them towards childcare reimbursement. When you are not using the 20-hour requirement, you may volunteer for 32 hours a week. Some parents volunteer with their children’s preschool as a way to meet work requirements and spend time with their children.
  • Q4. Are there workshops or events offered through Bridge to Hope?
    Bridge to Hope does offer some events and workshops. See BTH Events.
    Some events are limited to BTH participants. Others are open to all student parents.
    Each BTH campus contact is affiliated with another program office that might also offer programs. For example, the KCC Single Parents program offers events and has a list-serve. Check with your BTH campus contact for further information.
  • Q5. I have a work exemption because of Domestic Violence. I want to return to school. Am I eligible for Bridge to Hope?
    As long as you are exempt from work, you are not eligible for First-to-Work or Bridge to Hope. However, you can make plans for returning to school upon completing your DV activities. See Back to College for details.
  • Q6. My work exemption will end in two months. I want to go to school. How do I participate in Bridge to Hope?
    To receive childcare, and transportation assistance from First-to-Work, you have to be a FTW client fulfilling all work requirements. Understanding your exemption from work is important and too complicated to be answered in a FAQ. Call the UH System-wide Coordinator Teresa Bill at 956-8059 to discuss your options and the UH academic calendar. See the Back to College Resource Page.

QUESTION NOT LISTED?

  • My question isn’t listed. Who can I contact?
    You may phone or email the BTH System-wide Coordinator at bthinfo@hawaii.edu or you may contact the BTH Campus Contact for your location.
Disclaimer: These pages are intended to be informative and answer basic questions about U.H. Bridge to Hope and the First-to-Work Education Policy. However, only First-to-Work can definitively interpret their program policies. It is always good to maintain communication with your case manager(s).
Bridge To Hope State-Wide Coordinator - Teresa Bill
2600 Campus Road | Honolulu, HI 96822 | QLCSS 211
(808) 956-8059 | bthinfo@hawaii.edu
Last Modified: April 19, 2008
Menus Created With Milonic