Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1505.15 Application Process - Individuals Qualified to Make an Application

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 7-1-87 Transmittal: UP-87-2 1505.15 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD _______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Individuals Qualified to Make an Application ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.15 A. Provisions

1. Applicants may apply for and be granted assistance on their own behalf or, under certain conditions, be represented by other qualified individuals who act responsibly for them.

` 2. The Department recognizes the right of an applicant to be represented by a responsible individual, but maintains the authority to determine whether or not the person is acting responsibly on behalf of the assistance unit prior to granting assistance.

3. Applicants may be assisted, if so desired, by individuals of their choice in various aspects of the eligibility process. They may be accompanied by such individuals in contact with the Department, and when so accompanied may also be represented by them.

4. A responsible individual applying for assistance on the behalf of others must:

a. be familiar with household circumstances to the extent that questions concerning need and eligibility can be answered with reasonable accuracy;

b. have a basic understanding of the assistance program(s) for which application is being made;

c. understand the responsibilities which they assume;

d. be able to communicate with members of the assistance unit in order to obtain information and to explain rights and responsibilities;

e. have an interest in the well-being of the entire assistance unit.

B. Applicants (All Programs)

Any individual who is applying solely on his or her own behalf may request assistance and complete the application process regardless of age, sex or other consideration, unless the person has been declared incompetent.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 4-1-88 Transmittal: UP-87-21 1505.15 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD _______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Individuals Qualified to Make an Application ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.15 C. Individuals Representing Others

1. AFDC, AABD, MA

a. The following individuals are qualified to request cash or medical assistance, be interviewed and, complete the application process on the behalf of others who they represent:

(1) the caretaker relative of a child applicant;

(2) the spouse, provided that the spouse is not estranged;

(3) a conservator, guardian or other court appointed fiduciary.

b. If none of the above individuals are available, the following persons may file the application on the assistance unit's behalf:

(1) another responsible assistance unit member; or

(2) an authorized representative. (cross reference: 1525)

c. In cases involving an incompetent or incapacitated person, a responsible adult may request assistance and complete the entire application on behalf of the applicant without any prior authorization if:

(1) none of the individuals in 1.a. are available; and

(2) the responsible adult is acting on behalf of an applicant; or

(3) a physician attests to the applicant's inability to make the application because of incompetence or incapacity.

d. A responsible person may complete the entire MA application on behalf of a deceased person without any prior authorization, if none of the individuals in 1a. above are available.

e. An individual or agency responsible for the care of a child may apply for MA on behalf of that child.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 7-1-87 Transmittal: UP-87-2 1505.15 page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD _______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Individuals Qualified to Make an Application ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.15 C. Individuals Representing Others (continued)

2. FS

a. The following individuals are qualified to request FS assistance, be interviewed, and complete the application on the behalf of others who they represent:

(1) the head of the assistance unit;

(2) a spouse or other responsible member of the assistance unit;

(3) an authorized representative or court appointed fiduciary. (cross reference: 1525)

b. Prior to granting assistance, the application form must be signed by an adult member of the assistance unit, unless:

(1) the application is completed by an authorized representative; or

(2) the assistance unit does not contain an adult member.

c. The head of the assistance unit must sign the application form if the assistance unit does not contain an adult member and applies on its own behalf.