Unclear or Insufficient Information to Make a Benefit Determination 430-05-65-15-15

(Revised 10/01/06 ML3044)

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Whenever a worker receives unclear or insufficient information from a household or the worker becomes aware of a change, the worker must pursue clarification and verification of household circumstances using the following procedures:

  1. The worker must send F442 to the household clearly advising the household of the verification it must provide or the actions it must take to clarify its circumstances. The household must be allowed 10 days from the mailing date of F442 to respond and to clarify its circumstances either by telephone or by correspondence.
  2. If the household responds and provides sufficient information/verification, the worker has 10 days to act on the change and send the household the appropriate notice.
  3. If the household fails to provide sufficient information/verification within the 10-day period, the worker will receive an alert to send the F401.  If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the F401 cannot be sent until the next working day.
  1. If the household fails to provide sufficient information/verification regarding expense(s), the F401 is not sent.  
  1. If the household has not moved, the previously reported and verified expenses continue to be allowed at the previously verified amount.  If the expense is verified at a later date, the expense is allowed for the next benefit month.
  2. If the household has moved and provides verification of residence but fails to provide verification of expenses, no shelter costs are allowed and the case is not closed.  

If the expense is verified at a later date, the expense is allowed for the next benefit month.

  1. If the household fails to provide sufficient information/verification other than expenses and it is prior to advance notice deadline the F401 must be sent and the case will close at the end of the month.
  2. If the household fails to provide sufficient information/verification other than expenses and it is after advance notice deadline, the F401 cannot be sent until the first working day of the following month. Benefits for the last month of the certification period are authorized the same as the previous month.

Exceptions:

  1. If the last month of the certification period includes an extra check or if the second to the last month included an extra check, this change must be acted on for the last month of the certification period as it is considered known information to the agency.
  2. If the worker received an alert that child support was received in the base month, this change must be acted on for the last month of the certification period as it is considered known information to the agency.