(A)
Completion of Interviews. The worker is responsible
for the completion of the application interview form, which is then signed by
the applicant. The worker is responsible for assuring that the information
recorded accurately represents what the applicant states about his or her
circumstances.
(B)
Identification of the Applicant. The worker must
establish the identity of the applicant. Proof of identity may be a Social
Security number, driver's license, voter registration card, military service
papers, marriage license, employment papers or any of the items provided in
106 CMR
703.220: TAFDC Dependent Child:
Younger than 18 Years Old or
106 CMR
703.810: EAEDC Identification of the
Applicant used in the verification of age.
(C)
Development of Other
Benefits. The worker must review any other benefits such as Social
Security or SSI/SSP the applicant or members of the assistance unit may be
entitled. See 106 CMR
702.700.
(D)
Explanation of Rights and
Responsibilities. The applicant must be informed at the time of
application of his or her rights and responsibilities associated with the
program for which he or she is applying. See
106 CMR
701.300: Rights of Applicants and
Clients, and
106 CMR
701.400: Responsibilities of
Applicants and Clients.
(E)
Related Benefits and
Services. The worker must inform the applicant that eligibility
for TAFDC or EAEDC benefits will confer eligibility for MassHealth as specified
in the regulations of the Division of Medical Assistance; that he or she may
choose to apply for SNAP benefits as part of the application and that SNAP
eligibility will be determined according to SNAP eligibility criteria; and that
if he or she is found ineligible for TAFDC or EAEDC he or she may make a
separate application for MassHealth, and/or SNAP benefits. The worker must make
any necessary referrals for other benefits or services, such as child care.
See 106 CMR 705: Related Benefits.
(F)
Immediate Needs.
At the intake interview, or within 24 hours of the filing of the application if
the intake interview cannot be held immediately, the worker must ask the
applicant if he or she is in immediate need of food, shelter (including rent,
fuel and utilities) or medical care. If so, and the applicant appears to be
eligible based on the information available, the worker shall inform the
applicant of the option to receive an advance on the cash benefits:
(1) An applicant has the option to receive:
(a) a shelter voucher;
(b) a food voucher, if he or she appears to
be ineligible for SNAP benefits;
(c) expedited SNAP benefits through EBT if he
or she appears to be eligible for SNAP benefits; and/or
(d) a temporary MassHealth card, if
needed.
(2) If any of the
above is requested, and the applicant appears to be eligible, the worker shall
authorize:
(a) the food and/or shelter
vouchers immediately;
(b) expedited
SNAP benefits through an EBT transaction immediately; and/or
(c) the Temporary MassHealth card within one
working day of the request.
The amounts to be authorized for food and shelter vouchers are
in the table below:
|
RENT OR MORTGAGE |
Unheated Facility |
$102.00 |
|
Heated Facility |
126.30 |
|
FUEL |
27.90 |
|
UTILITIES |
18.60 |
|
FOOD (Individual) |
41.80 |
(G) Pathways to Self-sufficiency Program
(PATH) for TAFDC Applicants.
(1) TAFDC
applicants 18 years of age or older shall participate in an intake and
employment assessment process which may result in referrals to appropriate
employment or education/training opportunities. The Department shall deny
applications for either the entire assistance unit or the grantee if the
applicant fails to participate in PATH without good cause.
(2) Under PATH, certain TAFDC applicants may
also be subject to a Work Ready Job Diversion Program:
(a) Applicants 18 years of age or older who
are determined by the Department to have the necessary job skills and
experience must participate in a Work Ready Job Diversion Program.
(b) Applicants will be exempted from the Work
Ready Job Diversion Program if they will be exempt from the work program
(See
106 CMR
703.150: TAFDC Work Program)
or have requested a disability exemption (See
106 CMR
703.100: TAFDC Exemptions from
Time-limited Benefits and Reduced Need and Payment
Standards).
(c) Applicants
subject to the Work Ready Job Diversion Program must provide evidence of three
job search contacts. Applicants must accept referrals to any appropriate
Department-identified jobs.
(d) If
no evidence of participation in the Work Ready Job Diversion Program is
provided prior to day 30 of the application, the TAFDC application for the
entire assistance unit will be denied. If the case is approved but there is no
further participation or insufficient participation in the Program by the 60th
day after application, the entire case will be terminated.
(3) Under PATH, certain TAFDC applicants may
also be subject to the Initial Job Search Program:
(a) Applicants who are 18 years of age or
older and not provided with a Work Ready Job Diversion referral under 106 CMR
702.125(G)(3), and who will not be exempt from the Work Program
(See
106 CMR
703.150: TAFDC Work Program)
or have a pending request for an exemption must provide evidence of job search
in the 60-day period from the date of application.
(b) Applicants subject to the Initial Job
Search Program must provide evidence of three job search contacts. The
frequency of reporting of such contacts will be determined by the
Department.
(c) If no evidence of
Initial Job Search contacts are provided prior to day 30 of the application,
the TAFDC application will be denied for the grantee and any other adult
subject to the requirement. If otherwise eligible, the remainder of the
assistance unit will be approved. If contacts are made by day 30, and the
assistance unit is otherwise found eligible for TAFDC, the entire case will be
approved. If the entire case is approved but there are no further contacts or
insufficient contacts made by the 60th day after application, the grantee and
any other adult subject to the requirement will be terminated.
(d) Any job search under PATH done on-line
must be done on a website approved by the Department.
(4) The following TAFDC applicants do not
have to participate in the Work Ready Job Diversion Program or the Initial Job
Search Program:
(a) Those attending a
secondary school full time;
(b)
Those already participating in an education or training activity; and
(c) Those participating in an inpatient
substance abuse treatment program licensed or approved by the Department of
Public Health.
(5) Good
cause for not meeting PATH requirements may be granted based on an individual
applicant's circumstances for reasons described in
106 CMR
701.380: Good Cause Criteria
or if the applicant is pursuing a domestic violence waiver from work
requirements in accordance with
106 CMR
703.110: TAFDC Good Cause Waivers Due
to Domestic Violence. If an applicant states that he or she cannot
participate due to domestic violence, the applicant must be immediately
referred to a Department domestic violence specialist for assistance and
verification of the circumstance.
(H)
Verification of
Information. The worker shall require verification of the
applicable eligibility factors for which verification is currently required.
See
106 CMR 702.300 and
106 CMR
702.310.
