Delays in Processing 430-05-35-20-20

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

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When a household files an application for review before the end of its current review period and takes the required action after the end of the current review period, responsibility for the delay must be determined.

 

Determining cause for the delay dictates what action (deny or pend) must be taken on the case and whether or not the household is entitled to benefits retroactive to the date of the application for review.

 

Delays Caused by the County

When a delay in the review determination period is caused by the county:

  1. Do not deny the application for review.
  2. Notify the household by the 30th day following the date of the application for review that it is pending and state the reason.

 

If the household is found eligible during the second 30-day period, provide retroactive benefits back to the date the review period should have begun.

 

Delays Caused by the Household

If a household has failed to complete any part of the review process within 30-days of receipt of the application, the worker must deny the application for review using the appropriate notice. However, the worker must have taken the following actions before a delay is caused by the household:

  1. Failure to Complete the Application for Review: The worker must have offered, or attempted to offer, assistance in completion of the form.
  2. Failure of Household Member(s) to Register for Work: The worker must have informed the household of the need to complete SFN 385 – Affidavit for Work Requirements or SFN 353 - Affidavit for BEST Registrants and given the household at least 10 days from the date of notification to register household members.
  3. Failure to Provide Required Verification: The worker must have:
  1. Provided the household with a statement of required verification; and
  2. Offered to assist the household in obtaining required verification; and
  3. Allowed the household at least 10 days from the date of request to provide the missing verification.

Examples:

  1. If the household has failed to appear for the first interview and a subsequent interview is either postponed at the household’s request or cannot be rescheduled until after the 20th day but before the 30th day following the date of the application for review, the household must appear for the interview, bring verification, and register members for work by the 30th day, otherwise the delay is the fault of the household.
  2. If the household failed to appear for the first interview and a subsequent interview is postponed at the household’s request until after the 30th day following the date of the application for review, the delay is the fault of the household.

 

If the household takes the required action within 30 days following the end of the current review period, do not require a new application. Benefits are prorated from the date the verifications are provided.

Examples:

  1. A household certified through April 30th files an application for review on April 17 for May. The application is denied for failure to provide verification on May 17 (30th day). If the household provides the verification after May 17 but prior to May 31, the application for review that was denied must be registered with a benefit start date of the date the verifications were provided.

 

If the household provides the verifications on May 31 or later, the household must file a new application.

  1. A household certified through February 28th files an application for review on February 17 for March. The application is denied for failure to provide verification on March 18 (30th day). If the household provides the verification after March 18 or prior to March 31, the application that was denied must be registered with a benefit start date of the date the verifications were provided.

 

If the household provides the verifications on March 31 or later, the household must file a new application.