# COMAR Title 07 — Department of Human Services ## Subtitle 01 — Office of the Secretary ### Chapter 21 — Displaced Homemaker Program **Authority:** Family Law Article, §§4-601—4-613, Annotated Code of Maryland **Administrative History:** Effective date: January 27, 1978 (5:2 Md. R. 61) **Administrative History:** Recodified from COMAR 07.01.05 to 07.01.06 (5:6 Md. R. 465) **Administrative History:** Regulations .02—.04 amended effective January 11, 1980 (7:1 Md. R. 42) **Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective August 25, 1986 (13:17 Md. R. 1921) **Administrative History:** Regulation .07 amended effective July 14, 1978 (5:14 Md. R. 1136); August 25, 1986 (13:17 Md. R. 1921) **Administrative History:** Recodified from COMAR 07.01.06 to 07.06.01 **Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective September 12, 1994 (21:18 Md. R. 1508) **Administrative History:** Regulation .01B amended effective October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1854) **Administrative History:** Regulation .03B amended effective October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1854) **Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1854) **Administrative History:** Chapter recodified from COMAR 07.06.01 to COMAR 07.01.21 effective June, 2009 #### Regulation .01 Definitions. *COMAR 07.01.21.01* A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Department” means the Department of Human Services. (2) “Displaced homemaker” means an individual who: (a) Is at least 35 years old; (b) Has performed as a homemaker for the individual's family in the family home; (c) Is not gainfully employed; (d) Has had, or would have, difficulty finding employment; and (e) Has depended on: (i) The income of a family member and has lost part or all of that income as a result of separation, divorce, or the death or disability of that family member; (ii) Federal, State, or local government assistance as the parent or specified relative of a dependent child receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and is no longer eligible for that assistance; or (iii) TANF payments for at least 24 months. (3) “Displaced homemaker program” or “program” means a local program authorized by the Department and designed to meet the needs of displaced homemakers. #### Regulation .02 Application. *COMAR 07.01.21.02* A. An applicant requesting services shall complete a written application in person at a displaced homemaker program's center. B. The program shall inform applicants about eligibility requirements, services, and the applicants' rights and obligations under the program before service is authorized. C. An applicant for a training allowance in accord with Regulation .06 of this chapter shall sign an application form prescribed by the Department. #### Regulation .03 Eligibility. *COMAR 07.01.21.03* A. An individual who meets the definition of a displaced homemaker in Regulation .01 of this chapter is eligible for services from a displaced homemaker program. B. When permitted by available resources, a program may offer those individuals who do not meet the definition of a displaced homemaker the opportunity to participate in the programs and services described in Regulation .04B of this chapter. #### Regulation .04 Services Offered. *COMAR 07.01.21.04* A. A program shall offer services to eligible displaced homemakers based on individual need established in a service plan developed by the displaced homemaker with the program staff, and authorized by the displaced homemaker program director, except that services to individuals 30 years old or older who meet the criteria in Regulation .01B(2) of this chapter shall be based on the level of available funds and staff. B. A displaced homemaker program shall provide: (1) Career counseling which is designed to assist the displaced homemaker in entering or reentering the job market; (2) Information and referral to other services and resources available; (3) Career Path Program which is an intensive workshop program designed to assist participants in: (a) Job readiness; (b) Pre-employment preparation; (c) Life and job skill development; (d) Resume preparation; and (e) The job search process; (4) Informational workshops such as: (a) Legal rights; (b) Health benefit issues; (c) Financial management; (5) Discussion groups on such issues as: (a) Separation or divorce; (b) Stress management; (c) Bereavement and grief support; and (d) Workforce or school entry or re-entry; (6) Job-training opportunities designed to provide or improve skills and experiences necessary for employment; (7) Job development; (8) Job placement in full and part-time positions; and (9) Life management counseling which is designed to assist the displaced homemaker in entering or re-entering the job market. #### Regulation .05 Fees. *COMAR 07.01.21.05* A program shall charge each participant an initial fee for services according to the fee scale in Schedule A in Regulation .09 of this chapter. The income limits are set at levels that take into account the fixed expenses necessary to maintain a home. Maximum charges are indicated. #### Regulation .06 Training Allowances. *COMAR 07.01.21.06* A program may provide training allowances per Schedule B—Training Allowances in Regulation .09 of this chapter to approved participants whose income levels are such that they would have difficulty maintaining a home and providing the expenses necessary for training. Allowances are provided to pay for expenses incurred during the training period. Maximum allowances are indicated. #### Regulation .07 Grievance Procedure. *COMAR 07.01.21.07* A. A displaced homemaker program shall make available to any applicant or recipient of service aggrieved by a decision, action, or inaction of the program, a procedure by which the grievance may be heard. B. The program shall include the following in the grievance procedure: (1) A written notice, both at the time of application and when the action is taken, of the grievance rights and the steps to take to initiate the grievance process; (2) A written notice of the action taken and the basis for the action; (3) An opportunity to appeal and to be heard; and (4) A written decision by the program director or designee that affirms or reverses the program's action, and includes the basis for the decision. C. The program shall forward to the Department a summary of each grievance decision rendered, including findings of fact concerning each grievance heard. #### Regulation .08 Income. *COMAR 07.01.21.08* A. In determining eligibility for training allowances and in determining whether fees for workshops are to be assessed, a program shall treat any earned or unearned cash income as gross income. B. Services or goods received in-kind are not counted as income. C. Cash income includes only income that is available to the displaced homemaker to be used at his or her discretion. #### Regulation .09 Schedules. *COMAR 07.01.21.09* A. Workshop Fee Scale. B. Training Allowance.