1. What are the suspicion-based indicators?
- Arrest records (within the last 12 months)
- Employment records (loss of job for failing a drug test, etc. within the last 12 months)
- Self-declaration
- Visual observation of drug use
- Visual observation of drug paraphernalia
- SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) indicators
- Prior Refusal to drug test
2. Who is required to submit to drug testing?
- Any TANF applicant or recipient who exhibits illegal substance use
3. What substances are you testing?
- Amphetamines/Methamphetamines
- Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
4. Who conducts the drug test?
- DCF contracts with sites across Kansas that are licensed to conduct sampling and testing of samples.
5. What type of test is going to be used?
6. What is the average cost of testing, and who will pay for the test?
- Test costs range from $60 to $80, depending on the site.
- DCF will pay for the cost of the original sample. Requests for re-reading of the original sample are at the client’s expense, unless the result is a false positive.
7. What are the consequences for testing positive?
- A first positive drug test requires an individual to enroll in substance abuse treatment and a job-skills training course. Failure to enroll and cooperate in substance abuse treatment and a job-skill training course will result in the individual being removed from the TANF benefit, until such time cooperation occurs.
- A second positive drug test results in 12 months of ineligibility for the individual. This person must also complete substance abuse treatment and jobs skills training prior to being re-added to the TANF case.
- A third positive drug test results in the individual being ineligible for TANF for their lifetime.
8. Are there any consequences for failure to test?
- A first failure to drug test results in ineligibility for TANF for the individual for six months. Prior to being added back to the assistance case, they must submit to drug testing.
- A second failure to drug test results in ineligibility for TANF for the individual for 12 months. Prior to being added back to the assistance case, they must submit to drug testing.
- A third failure to drug test results in ineligibility for TANF for the individual for their lifetime.
9. Do the children remain eligible for assistance while the parent or other adult is ineligible?
- Yes, children remain eligible for assistance. The cash benefit is assigned to a protective payee, who is responsible to assure household expenses are paid.
10. How is a protective payee assigned?
- The household can select a protective payee. If the protective payee meets the payee criteria, and passes a screening test, they are allowed to become the payee.
- If the household cannot name a payee, DCF will assist in naming a payee. DCF employees will never serve as payee for a household.
11. Who provides substance abuse treatment for those testing positive?
- DCF contracts for service to provide case management for those identified with substance abuse disorders.
12. Who provides job skills training?
- Skills-based training is based on a plan coordinated with you, your career navigator, and the substance abuse case manager.
13. Will you test Food Assistance or Child Care recipients?
- No, DCF will only test TANF applicants or recipients. However, if a disqualification is applied to a person who receives TANF and food assistance, the same disqualification will be applied to the food assistance case. Only the person who tested positive or failed to comply is disqualified from food assistance. The remaining household members will continue to get benefits if otherwise eligible.