Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1525.05 Authorized Representatives - General Requirements

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 11-1-97 Transmittal: UP-98-12 1525.05 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC Authorized Representatives AABD ________________________________________________________________ FS Subject: MA General Requirements ______________________________________________________________________________

1525.05 A. An assistance unit may be represented in various aspects of the eligibility process by a responsible individual who has been given prior authorization to act as the assistance unit's representative.

B. An authorized representative is qualified to perform specific functions which vary and are limited by the requirements of each specific program category.

C. An authorized representative must be designated in writing by one of the following individuals:

1. in the AFDC program, by the caretaker relative of the dependent child;

2. in the AABD and MA programs, by the applicant, or if the applicant is a child, incompetent or incapacitated, by the parent, custodian, or court appointed fiduciary;

3. in the Food Stamp program, by the head of the assistance unit, spouse or other responsible member of the assistance unit.

D. An assistance unit is permitted to have one authorized representative at a given time, except in the Food Stamp program where separate representatives may be designated to perform the individual functions of making application and purchasing food with an EBT debit card.

E. There is no limit to the number of assistance units that an authorized representative may represent.

F. In the FS program, confirmation of the authorized representative status is obtained periodically at redetermination or whenever questionable.

G. The appointment of an authorized representative does not relieve the assistance unit of any responsibilities. Both the assistance unit and the representative may be held responsible for assistance improperly obtained through action by the authorized representative.

H. An assistance unit may withdraw its authorization at any time through a written statement.