Page 25

MISSISSIPPI

Volume III | Chapter 1

which provides assistance, in cash or in kind, or services directly to individuals on the basis of need.

1030

06 The records of the disbursement of funds or payments to recipients of any and all assistance under programs administered by the state or county Departments of Human Services showing the names of the recipients and the amount of the individual benefits shall only be disclosed according to federal regulations regarding disclosure of information for TANF and Food Stamp Programs, and federal laws regarding use of electronically exchanged data. Any person, firm, corporation, or association of the agency who or which shall violate any provisions of State law 43-1-19 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court. 8. The right to advance notice of reduction or termination of payments except in certain circumstances which are specified in Chapter 7, Certification and Authorization. 9. The right to a hearing when (a) dissatisfied because an application for financial assistance is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness; (b) when aggrieved by any agency action resulting in suspension, reduction, or termination of assistance; and (c) a written request for a hearing is made within twenty days from the date of mailing of the notice that instigated the request. See Chapter 13, Hearing Process, for an exception to the right to a hearing, possible extension of the time period for requesting a hearing, access to case record materials to be used in the hearing, and other details of the hearing process. 10. The right to review information, such as agency policies and case material, used in determining eligibility for the budget group; however, the agency reserves the right to limit access to social and medical information unless such material is to be considered in a fair MISSISSIPPI

[GENERAL: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES] Revised 06-01-