UPM 1505.35 - Application Processing Standards

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 6-1-94 Transmittal: UP-94-11 1505.35 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD ______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Application Processing Standards ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.35 A. Prompt Action

1. Prompt action is taken to determine eligibility on each application filed with the Department.

2. Reasonable processing standards are established to assure prompt action on applications.

B. Notification

The Department notifies applicants of:

1. any actions taken on applications; and

2. when applications are not acted upon within the established time limits.

C. Standard of Promptness for Processing Applications

1. The following promptness standards are established as maximum time periods for processing applications:

a. thirty calendar days for eligible FS applicants that do not qualify for expedited service;

b. thirty calendar days for FS applicants who are found to be ineligible for FS benefits. However, the Department is allowed an additional seven days to issue the denial notice to ineligible applicants;

c. forty-five calendar days for:

(1) AFDC applicants; and

(2) AABD or MA applicants applying on the basis of age or blindness;

d. ninety calendar days for AABD or MA applicants applying on the basis of disability.

2. The first day of the processing period begins on the day following the date of application.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 11-1-97 Transmittal: UP-98-12 1505.35 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD _______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Application Processing Standards ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.35 C. Standard of Promptness for Processing Applications (continued)

3. The standard of promptness has been met if by the last day of the processing standard the Department has:

a. issued a notice of denial to the applicant, except that for FS cases, the Department has an additional seven days to issue the notice of denial; or

b. issued benefits to the assistance unit either in check form or by deposit into a financial institution by the thirtieth day following the date of application.

4. FS assistance units have been given an opportunity to participate if by the thirtieth day following the date of application they have received FS benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 8-1-93 Transmittal: UP-97-1 1505.35 page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Special Programs POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process AABD _______________________________________________________________ MA Subject: FS Application Processing Standards ______________________________________________________________________________

1505.35 D. Use of the Standard of Promptness

1. The Department determines eligibility within the standard of promptness without exception for the FS program.

2. The Department determines eligibility within the standard of promptness for the AFDC, AABD, and MA programs except when verification needed to establish eligibility is delayed and one of the following is true:

a. the client has good cause for not submitting verification by the deadline; or

b. the client has been granted a 10 day extension to submit verification which has not elapsed; or

c. the Department has assumed responsibility for obtaining verification and has had less than 10 days; or

d. the Department has assumed responsibility for obtaining verification and is waiting for material from a third party.

3. Processing standards are not used as a waiting period for granting assistance. Applications are processed with reasonable promptness as soon as the Department is able to make an eligibility determination.

4. Processing standards are not used as the basis for denying assistance. Denial results from the failure to meet or establish eligibility within the applicable time limit.

5. Processing standards apply separately to the specific program for which application is made. Therefore, an application for several programs may be awarded or denied at different times for each program.