Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1530.05P Certification Periods - General Requirements

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 9-21-96 Transmittal: UP-96-17 P-1530.05 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: Certification Periods FS _______________________________________________________________ Subject: General Requirements ______________________________________________________________________________ P-1530.05 1. Review the case circumstances and determine the length of the certification period:

° whenever assistance is granted;

° whenever a redetermination is conducted.

2. Consider such factors as:

° mandatory extensions of shorter certification periods;

° combined PA/FS redetermination schedules;

° two to three months certification for households that cannot reasonably predict future circumstances or are highly error prone;

° up to three months for households with reasonably predictable circumstances;

° up to six months for households if there is little likelihood of change in income or household;

° the twelve month maximum length for all other households, such as assistance units whose primary source of income is annualized self-employment or assistance units comprised entirely of unemployable persons, except those in which all adult members are elderly or disabled;

° the twenty-four month maximum length for all households in which all adult members are elderly or disabled.

3. In cases of multiple program involvement, adjust the certification period so that it coincides with the redetermination schedule of the companion PA case whenever possible.

4. If it is advisable to review FS eligibility more frequently than cash or medical assistance eligibility, try to establish a certification period with a common basis to the PA redetermination schedule.

For example, if a household AFDC redetermination is scheduled at 6 month intervals and FS is to be reviewed more frequently, establish a three month certification period so every other redetermination will coincide between the two programs.

5. Issue notification.