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Volume III | Chapter 7

FORMALIZING AN APPLICATION Right to Apply Under State law, applications must be formalized in the county in which the individual resides. Under both federal and state law, an individual must be given the opportunity to apply without delay and to have his eligibility determined in a timely manner (within the standard of promptness). State law has set the timeliness standard as approval or denial of the application within 30 days.

Places to Apply In County Office - When an individual visits a county office during official working hours for the purpose of applying, he has the right to formalize an application on that same day. If an eligibility/intake worker is unavailable for an interview that day, a clerical worker will: 1. Explain that an interview with an eligibility worker will be required and the reason for the delay in the interview. 2. Briefly explain the applicant's rights and responsibilities and give him Part I of MDHS-EA900, the MDHS-EA-300 Rights of Applicants and Recipients, and appropriate informational pamphlets. 3. If the applicant completes Page 1 of MDHS-EA-900 in the office, review the form to be sure it contains proper identifying information and the applicant's signature. Encourage the applicant to complete Page 2 at the time of application. Pages 3 and 4 can be filled out at the time of application or returned at the time of interview. 4. Make an appointment within 10 days for the applicant to see an eligibility worker. Due to certain hardship circumstances, a telephone interview with the applicant may be granted. See provisions under “Initial Interview” later in this chapter. 5. Date stamp the application and register it for the date received to set the 30-day processing period. Online – Individuals may file an application by submitting the application form online at www.mdhs.state.ms.us . In addition, applications containing a handwritten or electronic signature online application transmitted by fax or other electronic transmission are acceptable and MISSISSIPPI [ ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS: THE APPLICATION PROCESS]

Revised 07 - 01 - 17