Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
If, during a certification period, a change occurs that
affects eligibility or benefit amount, the caseworker shall take action to
adjust the benefit group's eligibility or benefit amount.
A.
Action on changes: When a
benefit group reports a change, the caseworker must take action to determine
the benefit group's eligibility and benefit amount within ten days of the date
the notice of change is received by the department.
B.
Reducing the benefit amount:
For changes that result in a reduction of cash assistance benefits, the
caseworker shall act on the change as follows.
(1) If a signed written report is provided by
the benefit group, action shall be taken for the following month without
issuing a notice of adverse action. The benefit group shall be provided with
adequate notice. If the benefits will be reduced in the same month in which the
certification period will expire, no action shall be required to reduce or
terminate benefits.
(2) When a
benefit group timely reports a change that will reduce benefits, but does not
provide a signed written report, the caseworker shall issue an adverse action
notice to the benefit group. If the adverse action time limit expires in the
following month, there is no overpayment in that month and the benefit group is
entitled to the higher benefit amount. The reduction shall be effective in the
month following the month in which the adverse action notice expires.
(3) If the change is reported by any other
means, within 10 days the caseworker shall take action to issue a notice of
adverse action to reduce or terminate benefits effective the month following
the month in which the adverse action time limit expires. If the notice of
adverse action time limit will expire in the same month that the benefit
group's certification period will expire, no action shall be required to reduce
or terminate benefits.
C.
Increased benefit amount:
(1) If verification of the change is provided
at the time the change is reported, the caseworker shall make the change
prospective, beginning in the month following the month in which the change was
reported.
(2) If verification is
not provided at the time the change is reported, the benefit group shall be
allowed 13 days from the date a change is reported to provide verification.
Benefits shall be increased effective the month following the month in which
the verification is provided.
(3)
When a benefit group fails to make a timely report of a change that will result
in an increased benefit amount, the benefit amount shall increase the month
following the month in which the verification is provided. The benefit group is
not entitled to an increased benefit amount for any month prior to the month in
which the verification is provided.
D.
Termination of benefits:
When the benefit group reports a change that will result in a termination of
benefits, and the change is not reported in writing and signed by a benefit
group member, the caseworker shall issue an adverse action notice.
(1) If the adverse action time limit expires
in the month following the month the notice is mailed, there is no overpayment
to the benefit group in the following month and the benefit group shall be
entitled to the higher benefit amount. A claim against the benefit group shall
not be established.
(2) If the
adverse action time limit will expire in the same month in which the
certification period ends, or after the certification period ends, no action
shall be taken to terminate benefits and the certification period shall be
allowed to expire. The caseworker shall document the change in the case
record.
E.
No
change in benefit amount: When a reported change will not change the
benefit amount, the caseworker shall document the change in the case file and
notify the benefit group that the report was received and there is no change in
benefits.
F.
Other
changes: All unreported changes of which the caseworker becomes aware
must be acted upon. At a minimum, this means documenting changes in the case
record. All discrepancies and questionable information shall be resolved to
make sure that the correct benefit amount is issued to the benefit
group.
