ACRONYMS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

• Q1. What is Bridge to Hope? What do you offer?
• Q2. What is Bridge to Hope’s relationship with First-to-Work?
• Q3. I want to go to school. What do I do?

ELIGIBILITY

• Q1. Who is eligible for BTH?
• Q2. What is TANF?
• Q3. How do I get TANF?
• Q4. How do I participate in Bridge to Hope?
• Q5. I only receive food stamps. Am I eligible for Bridge to Hope?

HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED TO WORK?

OPTIONS FOR COLLEGE WITH FIRST TO WORK

• Q1. What are my options for college education with First-to-Work?
• Q2. My work exemption will end in two months. I want to go to school. How do I participate in Bridge to Hope?
• Q3. How many hours do I need to work?
• Q4. I want to go to school as part of my UFUE or First-to-Work requirements. What do I do?
• Q5. What are “core” hours?
• Q6. How does the 20-hour FTW Post-Secondary Education Option work?

BTH JOBS & WORK HOURS

• Q01. How do I apply for a Bridge to Hope job?
• Q02. I am already working, do I have to participate in Bridge to Hope?
• Q03. I am waiting to be referred to First-to-Work, what do I do?
• Q04. What kinds of Jobs are available with Bridge to Hope?
• Q05. How much do Bridge To Hope jobs pay?
• Q06. How does the 20-hour FTW education option work?
• Q07. Do 2-parent (TAONF) families have the same work requirements?
• Q08. I have 15 credits, how many hours do I need to work?
• Q09. Do volunteer hours count towards my First-to-Work requirement?
• Q10. What is “classroom contact hours?”
• Q11. How many credits is full time?
• Q12. What if I drop a class? Can I increase my work hours to make up the difference?
• Q13. I have a 3-credit Internship for 10 hours per week. How do I count my hours?
• Q14. How many hours can I work on Bridge to Hope?
• Q15. When do I get paid?
• Q16. Why didn't I get my paycheck?
• Q17. When are timesheets due?
• Q18. How many hours do I need to work over academic breaks?
• Q19. My work site is closed over Winter break, how can I meet my work requirements?
• Q20. I had “good cause” for not working 20 hours, but my childcare is reduced. Why is that?
• Q21. I am not sure I will pass a class. Should I drop it to maintain my grade point?

DHS PAYMENTS

• Q1. Every month my childcare reimbursement is different. How is it calculated?
• Q2. I find it difficult to talk to my case worker. What can I do?
• Q3. My monthly benefit is reduced and I don’t know why. What can I do?
• Q4. I reported my first paycheck for BTH. Why are my cash assistance and food stamps reduced?
• Q5. I report my earnings on my MERF. Why does my FTW case manager want to see my check stub?
• Q6. I received my income tax refund. Will this affect my “financial?”
• Q7. I received a scholarship for $1000, will this affect my “financial?”
• Q8. My kids received $200 from their Auntie. Will this affect my “financial?”
• Q9. My 60-months of TANF are finished. Am I eligible for anything else?

SUMMER SESSION

• Q1. Does First-to-Work pay for Summer school?
• Q2. My case manager denied my request. What can I do?
• Q3. School has finished for the semester. How long do I have to find a job for the summer?

QUESTION NOT LISTED?

• My question is not 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 UH 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).