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2438.05.05 REFERRAL TO IMPACT (C)

During the eligibility interview, the eligibility worker reviews the applicant’s circumstances and determines whether the person is IMPACT mandatory or exempt. (Refer to Section 2438.15.10.05 for TANF exemption criteria).

Effective July 1, 2011, all IMPACT mandatory TANF applicants are referred to Applicant Job Search (AJS).

TANF individuals determined mandatory for IMPACT participation, and exempt individuals who wish to voluntarily participate, are referred to IMPACT when the eligibility worker enters the appropriate information in the eligibility system.

TANF recipients determined to be exempt due to age who wish to participate are referred as voluntary participants. The eligibility worker will enter the correct TANF exemption code and ‘V’ for voluntary under TANF status in the eligibility system. These individuals will not be subject to the TANF sanction penalties for non-compliance.

Other exempt TANF recipients who wish to participate are demonstrating having overcome their prior barrier(s) to participation. In this situation, the exempt TANF recipient is to be treated as mandatory and indicated as such in the eligibility system. The individuals should be informed f subjection to the TANF sanction penalties for non-compliance.

When individuals receive both TANF and SNAP benefits, the individuals are subject only to the TANF IMPACT Program requirements and may be sanctioned for non-compliance.

When the eligibility worker authorizes a TANF referral, the individual will be advised of their Rights and Responsibilities at the Initial Interview and Assessment. See Sections 2520.00.00 and 2520.05.00.

TANF IMPACT referral process: IMPACT case managers are notified of the referral of a new TANF IMPACT participant and should schedule the individual for an Assessment interview according to the time frames in Section 2525.05.00. 2438.05.05.05

REFERRAL TO IMPACT (S)

Upon determination of an individual’s eligibility for SNAP benefits, recipients who wish to participate in the IMPACT program will contact their eligibility worker and request a referral to IMPACT.

SNAP IMPACT referral process: When the SNAP case is authorized and the individual is referred to IMPACT as a voluntary participant, the automated referral process will schedule the client to attend an IMPACT orientation interview. Volunteer SNAP IMPACT participants who fail to cooperate will be removed from the program without loss of benefits and will not be sanctioned.