1321 Simplified Eligibility Determination

Simplified eligibility as adopted by the State is a system by which the agency accepts the individual's statement as the basis of eligibility. For some factors of eligibility, additional information will have to be obtained.

The agency shall:

Use, to the greatest extent possible, the information on the application/redetermination form, as provided by the individual applicant/recipient, for purposes of determining eligibility and extent of entitlement.

Carefully review the form for completeness, clarity, consistency, and lack of error or questionable statement.

Give the applicant/recipient the opportunity to present additional clarification when information on the form is incomplete, unclear, or inconsistent, or where other circumstances in the case indicate to a prudent person that further inquiry needs to be made. Negative action because of failure to provide the information can be taken only when written notice was given allowing at least 12 calendar days from the date the notice is initiated to return the information.

Consider additional information from agency records.

Advise the applicant/recipient when it is necessary for the agency to go to other sources, and when necessary, obtain his consent on the information release form. If he does not consent to the necessary contacts, it may not be possible to determine that initial or continuing eligibility exists. Each applicant and recipient give consent to a full field investigation when he signs the application/redetermination form, but a signed informational release form may be necessary to obtain the needed information. See 1212.4 . NOTE: See 2145.2 and 2145.4 for requirements regarding citizenship/identity verification.

Consider verification/information received by 5:00 PM (or closing time) on a business day as received that day. Any verification/information received (for example, in a drop box) after 5:00 PM (or closing time) on a weekday, holiday or weekend will be considered received the next business day. This policy does not apply to verification/information that has a time and date stamp, such as e-mails and faxes. Those items are considered received the day of the date and time stamp.