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Page | 3 5.0 PROGRAM AND FISCAL INTEGRITY

5.1 Regulations, Policies and Procedures

The TANF program operates using uniform policies on all islands (counties). The Department's regulations are promulgated in accordance with the Hawaii Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), which provides the public with an opportunity for notice, review, and comment.

Approved regulations are distributed to all state and contracted staff, who are responsible for TANF program operations, via the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) manual. Policy clarifications and emergency bulletins are also distributed to all affected staff statewide on an as needed basis.

5.2 Fraud and Financial Integrity

DHS identifies situations in which there are questions or suspected fraud such as, but not limited to, a recipient receiving financial assistance to which the individual is not entitled to receive. The suspected fraud may be the result of willful misrepresentation of the individual's circumstances or the intentional concealment of information from the Department.

In the BESSD organization, the Investigations Office investigates suspected fraud and refers cases, as appropriate, to law enforcement officials.

The methods of investigation used by the Department do not infringe on the legal rights of the persons involved and allow these individuals due process of law.

Administrative rules governing the Department's fraud provisions can be found in Chapter 17-604.1, Hawaii Administrative Rules.

5.3 Public Law 112-96

Hawaii has implemented Public Law 112-96, Section 4004, requiring policies and practices to prevent assistance from being used in any electronic benefits transfer (EBT) transaction in any liquor store; any casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment by utilizing client notification and agreement. Initially to meet the requirements, a mass mailing of the notice was sent to current recipients in July 2014 with information on the restriction along with a list of restricted locations. Additionally, all recipients are notified at the point of applying for TANF that there is a restriction on accessing TANF benefits at specific locations. This information on the restriction on the use of TANF benefits from prohibited locations or establishments is included in form DHS 1240, Application for