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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 04/2022

MFIP TRANSITION PERIOD

0011.30.03

MFIP: The MFIP transition period begins in the 48th month of receipt of MFIP and continues through the 60th month of MFIP. Follow this process for all participants, even those receiving Family Stabilization Services (FSS). See 0002.23 (Glossary: Fair Hearing…) for the definition of Family Stabilization Services (FSS) and 0011.34 (Family Stabilization Services).

The goals of the transition period are: ● To continue to help families find employment.

● To continue to prepare families for what will happen when they reach their 60th month on MFIP.

During the period of 48 to 60 months, DHS identifies MFIP cases and sends notices to each family to notify them of the 60-month time limit and how many months of MFIP they have used. Notices are sent monthly between the 48th and 60th months. See TEMP Manual TE15.06 (MFIP Time Limit Notices).

From 180 to 60 days (approximately 6 to 2 months) before the 60th month: ● MAXIS identifies these cases and notifies the county.

● Counties complete an administrative review of each MFIP case prior to a face-to-face meeting.

● Counties schedule a face-to-face meeting with each family.

● Face-to-face meetings occur.

The order and specific months these activities are undertaken will vary by county.

For additional information on steps to follow for the period 180 to 60 days prior to the end of the participant’s 60th month, see 0011.30.06 (180 to 60 Days Before MFIP Closes).

No later than 10-day cut-off of the 60th month, make a final decision whether to extend the family’s eligibility beyond the 60th month, or close the case.

A participant who is in sanction for any reason during the 60th month is not eligible for a hardship extension. In addition, to be eligible for a hardship extension under the “employed” hardship extension category, participants must be in compliance 10 out of the last 12 months. See 0011.33.03 (MFIP Employed Extension Category).

If a participant has been in sanction and states that he or she has an illness, but has not provided documentation of the condition, offer to help the participant obtain the needed documentation to cure the sanction. If the participant is still in sanction during the 60th month and a good cause reason does not apply, there is no eligibility for any type of extension.

If the participant is not in sanction in the 60th month and does not provide documentation to determine eligibility for an extension category, close the case and reopen it later if the participant provides adequate documentation.

Counties and Employment Services Providers should work with participants to clear any sanctions.

Notices should be sent by MAXIS, on or before the 10-day notice cut-off in the 60th month. At the time of the face-to-face meeting, the county should tell the participant whether it appears that the participant would qualify for an extension based on current circumstances, what he/she must do to qualify, and when the final decision will be made.

Months continue to count toward the 60-month time limit while a participant is in the special medical criteria exemption category. See 0011.36 (Special Medical Criteria). The law requires that the face-to-face meeting be done 180-60 days before the participant reaches the end of the 60th counted month. MAXIS will flag these cases for the face-to-face meeting. At the face-to- face meeting, review the family situation to determine if the participant will be eligible for a hardship extension. Also tell the participant how many banked months he/she has.