Page 78

benefits retroactive to the month of application. Lost benefits are always provided to the household for the period in which the delay was Department caused. If the case is denied based on circumstances that changed since the original application date, advise the household of its possible entitlement to benefits lost as a result of a Department- caused delay. Example Mr. Jones applies for FS benefits on April 15. The Department did not make an eligibility determination until July 1 due to a Department-caused error. In July, the application was denied because Mr. Jones was over-income for the program. Mr. Jones, however, had no income when he initially applied for benefits. He found a job in June and became over-income for benefits in June. Mr. Jones is eligible for back-benefits for the April and May benefits he should have received based on his circumstances in those months.