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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 08/2020

QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS

0011.39

This section describes who may diagnose a client’s illness or incapacity.

MFIP: The following qualified professionals may diagnose and/or determine if a person meets certain medical criteria in order to bank months, or to qualify for, Family Stabilization Services (FSS), an MFIP hardship extension, or a good cause claim. See 0011.33 (MFIP Hardship Extensions), 0011.36 (Special Medical Criteria), 0028.06.03 (Who Must Participate in Empl. Services/SNAP E&T), 0028.18 (Good Cause for Non-Compliance -- MFIP/DWP).

● For illness, injury, or incapacity: A licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or licensed chiropractor, according to their scope of practice.

● For developmental disability, learning disability, and intelligence testing: A licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed independent clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, or certified psychometrist working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

● For mental health: A licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or qualified mental health professional.

● For substance use disorder: A licensed physician, a qualified mental health professional, a substance abuse treatment director, an alcohol and drug counselor supervisor, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC).

DWP: If there are situations requiring determinations from the qualified professionals listed above, consider conversion to MFIP. See 0008.06.24 (DWP Conversion or Referral to MFIP).

SNAP:

● FOR PHYSICAL ILLNESS, INJURY, OR INCAPACITY: A qualified professional means a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant, a nurse practitioner, a certified nurse midwife, a licensed chiropractor, doctors of osteopathy, licensed podiatrists, designated representatives of the physician’s office, or a social worker.

● FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (MI), SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS (SPMI), AND SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED), DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND LEARNING DISABILITIES: Documentation can be provided by a licensed physician or a physician’s assistant, a nurse practitioner, designated representatives of the physician's office, or a social worker that can verify the SNAP recipient is mentally unfit for work based on the information in their case record.

MSA: No provisions.

GA: The following qualified professionals may diagnose/determine whether clients meet the eligibility criteria for GA:

● For illness, injury, or incapacity: A licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or licensed chiropractor. This category is not limited to physical illness, injury or incapacity, but can include any condition within the scope of practice among these qualified professionals.

● For developmental disability, learning disability, and intelligence testing: A licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed independent clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, or certified psychometrist working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.