Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1000 Rights and Responsibilities - Introduction

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT Of SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 9-1-04 Transmittal: UP-04-18 1000 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Rights and Responsibilities POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: ALL PROGRAMS ______________________________________________________________________________ Subject:

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1000 The assistance unit has the right to apply for assistance from the Department. The unit has other rights, such as the right to be treated without discrimination by the Department. Subject to the conditions outlined in Section 1570, the unit also has the right to a Fair Hearing if it is dissatisfied with a decision or delay in a decision regarding their eligibility or level of benefits for certain programs administered by the Department. Also, the assistance unit has the right to file a complaint, if they feel they have been subject to discrimination by the Department.

An assistance unit also has certain responsibilities, such as supplying information the Department needs to determine the unit's eligibility, reporting changes in circumstances, and meeting certain procedural requirements.

The Department has certain responsibilities, also, in its relationship with the assistance unit. The Department is responsible for determining the unit's eligibility objectively and in a timely manner. It must base its decision on state and federal law.

In this section the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients are described in detail, as are the Department's responsibilities. In addition, there is a separate chapter describing the Department's policies and procedures regarding the safeguarding of information.