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MISSISSIPPI

[ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS: THE APPLICATION PROCESS]

Revised 07-01-17

appropriate if the required information is not received by the 30th day and eligibility cannot be established. To Be Secured by the Worker If the applicant cannot provide sufficient evidence as needed, the worker should offer to help in obtaining data and securing verifications. This is especially true for individuals who are incapable of providing information due to physical or mental limitations. Refer to instructions regarding the worker's responsibility for assisting such people. In the initial interview, the worker should explain to the individual the specific sources to be consulted, if known at the time, and also tell the applicant that other sources will be consulted as necessary. The application form signed by an applicant provides consent that allows the Department to verify all factors of eligibility and to share information with the school district. Individual consent is unnecessary to contact an outside source, unless the outside source, such as a bank, requires written permission from the applicant. The worker will use outside references only when necessary to gather information required to establish eligibility and will protect the confidentiality of the individual or assistance unit in performing this task. Specific methods for documenting eligibility factors are contained in this volume in the discussions on the various eligibility factors. Refer to the Generic Forms Manual for forms to be used for securing verifications. Evaluating Information The worker must: 1. Review previous, as well as current, information for completeness and accuracy. Previous case records on the applicant or family may contain clues to information not included on current forms, such as property owned, bank accounts, etc. The worker should find out what has happened to assets reported previously, but not currently, by asking the applicant for an explanation and by checking records, when necessary.