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5401

MISSISSIPPI RESOURCES: CONSIDERATION OF EXCESS RESOURCES

Revised 05 - 01 - 06 . Whether he has invested any or all of the cash or has converted a cash asset into another kind of asset from which he can now reasonably be expected to receive a return, such as income or services, shelter rights, or the like; and . Whether he has transferred cash or a cash asset above the limit without receiving a reasonable return. The applicant who is applying for the first time is not expected to be aware of agency requirements and may not be able to verify the use of resources for the prior year. However, he must provide sufficient information to allow the worker to determine that his resources are within the allowable maximum and that he did not transfer resources in order to become eligible. Reapplicants whose applications have been rejected or cases closed due to excess resources are expected to verify the use of the excess. When the former applicant or recipient cannot verify the total use of his excess cash, the worker will use his knowledge of living expenses to determine whether the unverified expenditures were required for the individual’s maintenance, were given away, or are available. If the applicant is unwilling to discuss the use of cash, this raises the question of continued possession of the cash or of the transfer of the asset without return in order to qualify. Eligibility cannot be determined under such circumstances. Recipients A recipient may retain and also replenish his resources up to the maximum. However, a recipient who comes into excess cash, which can be identified as resources or an asset with a value exceeding the maximum, either alone or together with other assets, is under no obligation to report the receipt of such assets until the next TANF review. When the TANF payee gives information and signs the MDHS-EA-900, MDHS Application for Assistance, he signs an agreement to this effect. Failure to report such assets or excess cash raises the question of fraud and certainly improper payments. When the worker learns that a recipient has received excess resources the worker will: 1. Ask the recipient to provide the following information: a. Verification of the amount of cash or the value of the asset received and the date of the receipt; Volume III | Chapter 5 b. The verified amount of cash or the value of the asset remaining on hand whether or not it is in excess of the maximum; and c. The purpose for which the excess cash will be or has been used.