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MISSISSIPPI
[GENERAL: CONFIDENTIALITY] Revised 06-01-06
REGULATIONS SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION The assistance titles of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (Public Law 104-193), require that MDHS provide safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients of TANF to purposes directly connected with the administration of the Program. These regulations also specify that information can be shared with other programs administered under the Social Security Act as amended by PRWORA and under Titles IV-A, IVB, IV-D, IV-E, XVI, XIX, XX, and any other federal or federally-assisted program which provides assistance, in cash or in-kind services, directly to individuals on the basis of need. The State statute at 43-1-19 mandates that MDHS shall abide by federal rules and regulations restricting the use or disclosure of information, records, papers, files and communications concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with the administration of the programs. SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION State law at 43-1-19 restricts disclosure of records showing names of recipients of public assistance and amounts of benefits in accordance with federal laws and regulations and laws regarding use of electronically exchanged data. Public Law 104-193 expands the exchange of information to include: • Quarterly reports to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of illegal aliens known to the Agency. • Exchange of certain information with law enforcement agencies relating to prosecution of fleeing felons, parole violators, or persons fleeing relating to a crime that would be a felony under the law. The Agency by law routinely exchanges information with other agencies and individuals in order to determine the applicant/recipient’s eligibility status and benefit level for needs-tested programs. These information sources include: • Verification with USCIS for alien status (SAVE). • Exchange of information with the school district, local school or attendance officer. • Exchange of information with other related State agencies including Division of Medicaid, Department of Health, etc.