Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) Decision on
initial eligibility is the conclusion or determination reached at any point in
the application process. Such decision, as approved on supervisory review,
shall constitute the decision of the social services official. The decision
shall be one of the following:
(1) Accepted
for assistance. This means that eligibility has been fully established through
investigation or that emergency need and presumptive eligibility has been
established and authorization for assistance has been made and approved by the
social services official.
(2) Not
accepted for assistance. Applications are denied and not accepted for
assistance when:
(i) In the course of the
application interview the information given by the applicant establishes,
without the need for further investigation, that he is ineligible.
(ii) Ineligibility is determined in the
course of or upon completion of the investigation, or if the applicant refuses
to comply with any requirement essential to the determination of
eligibility.
(3)
Terminations without decision. No decision is required when:
(i) an application is withdrawn by the
applicant; or
(ii) the social
services official documents that the applicant has died, cannot be located, or
has left the district prior to the completion of the investigation.
(b) The decision to
accept or deny the application must be made within 30 days from the date of
application for both family assistance and safety net assistance, except where
the applicant requests additional time or where difficulties in verification
lead to an unusual delay, or for other reasons beyond the social services
official's control. The applicant must be notified in writing of the decision
in accordance with department regulations. The reason for the delay in deciding
whether to accept or deny an application must be recorded in the case record
and communicated to the applicant. The applicant must be notified of the
availability of assistance to meet emergency circumstances or to prevent
eviction.
(c)
(1) When eligibility has been established,
the application shall be accepted for assistance pending the development of
potential resources, i.e., support from relatives, adjustment of insurance, or
eligibility for benefits. It shall be the responsibility of the social services
official to fully explore and develop all such resources.
(2) The amount of the initial grant of
regularly recurring financial assistance for both family assistance and safety
net assistance must be computed starting with the date of establishment of
eligibility or the 30th day after the date of application, whichever is
earlier. In determining the amount of the initial grant, the monthly budget
deficit must be prorated to reflect the number of days in the month in which
there was initial coverage.
(3) For
family assistance and safety net assistance cases, the first payment must be
authorized no later than 30 days from the date of application..
(4) When eligibility has not been established
but immediate need is determined to exist, an emergency or predetermination
grant of assistance shall be made in accordance with department
regulations.
(5)
(i) A child who is born to a recipient of
public assistance is eligible for such assistance from the date of their birth,
provided verification of the birth is received by the appropriate social
services official:
(a) within six months of
the birth of the child; or
(b) by
the recipient's first scheduled recertification interview after the birth of
the child; whichever is later.
(ii) The failure to present verification of a
child's birth to a social services official in accordance with the provisions
of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph will result in such child becoming
eligible for public assistance beginning on the date that verification of the
birth is provided to such official.
