9012.4 Determining Good Cause

In determining if good cause exists for failure to comply with the requirement to apply for or provide DSS with a SSN, consider information from the household member, SSA and DSS. Documentary evidence or collateral information that the household member has applied for a SSN or made every effort to supply SSA with the necessary information to complete an application for a SSN will be considered good cause for not complying timely with this requirement. Good cause does not include delays due to illness, lack of transportation or temporary absences, because SSA makes provisions for mailing applications in lieu of applying in person. If the household member can show good cause why an application for a SSN has not been completed in a timely manner, allow the person to participate for one month in addition to the month of application. If the household member applying for a SSN has been unable to obtain the documents required by SSA, make every effort to assist the individual in obtaining these documents. Good cause for failure to apply must be shown monthly in order for such a household member to continue to participate. Once an application has been filed, permit the member to continue to participate pending notification to DSS of the household member SSN. Workers should establish short-term controls to check the status of the SSN application monthly. If DSS has requested the necessary documents for the clients (birth certificates, etc.), check monthly to see if the documents have been received. Refer the client back to SSA when documents arrive. If the client was responsible for obtaining the necessary documents, check with the client by phone or by mail to determine what progress has been made. Inform the client that continued eligibility is dependent upon their continued efforts to obtain documents needed to apply for a SSN.