Page 30
Iowa’s TANF State Plan: Attachments 3. Similar language was added to the card carrier document issued with the TANF electronic access card by the state’s vendor that provides electronic funds transfer services for the TANF cash assistance program.
4. Letters were mailed at the beginning of January 2014 to all currently active TANF cases, as well as those closed within 30 days, advising of the change. See Exhibit 3.
5. A press release about the change was prepared and posted to the Iowa HHS website in January 2014. See Exhibit 4.
6. A flyer describing the change was prepared and provided to local Iowa HHS offices for posting. See Exhibit 5.
7. A similar flyer was provided to the state’s Racing and Gaming Commission and Alcoholic Beverages Division with a request to provide the flyer to entities subject to their authority. See Exhibit 6.
8. Changes were made to Iowa HHS Employees’ Manuals (See Exhibit 7) to correspond with the policy change, including the following: During the initial interview, reviews and at other times deemed appropriate, workers should explain that the electronic access card cannot be used to access FIP benefits at certain locations. New eligibility criteria related to electronic access card usage. Procedures for responding to complaints of card usage at prohibited locations and making referrals to the Department of Inspection and Appeals to investigate. Including use of the electronic access card at prohibited locations under the definition of client error for purposes of recoupment. Making appropriate entries to the TANF eligibility system to impose a 1st and subsequent sanction for using the electronic access card at a prohibited location.
9. The following changes were made to the TANF eligibility and related systems (see Exhibit 7): New reason codes for cancelation, denial and sanctions associated with violating the prohibition. New notice language corresponding with cancelations and denials due to violating the prohibition. Programming to calculate the end of an ineligibility period based on whether it is a 1st or subsequent violation. New “tag” language added to Notices of Decisions as previously described. New cause code for the Overpayment Recovery system related to overpayments caused by violating the prohibition.
10. Training material was developed and conducted, both a preliminary “heads-up” in December 2013 (see Exhibits 8a and 8b), and more detailed training held in January 2014 (see Exhibits 9a and 9b).