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[ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS:

MISSISSIPPI CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION] Revised: 07-01-12

individual and with the knowledge of the payee, so that advance notice has already been given prior to the approval of the newly eligible individual. 2. The department has received a clear written statement signed by the payee agreeing to the action to be taken. The statement may be written on the notification form obtained during a personal interview or sent by letter to the department. The recipient will state that he no longer wishes assistance or that he agrees and understands that the information he has given or the county has obtained has resulted in reduction or termination. The worker will then close the case or authorize a reduction for the next possible month. Use notice A492 in MAVERICS to close a case in this situation. Refer to Volume X, Chapter 4. The securing of a written statement may be possible when the worker is talking with the individual and can get one at this time or ask him to send one to the agency when a discussion was held by telephone. Otherwise it is doubtful that the county can get a response within the ten-day period. Occasionally a recipient may realize that he is no longer eligible and write a letter stating he no longer needs assistance even though there was not a prior conference with the worker. Note, however, that when a TANF child reaches age 18 and assistance must be terminated, this often results in case closure or a reduction of the benefits to the children under 18 remaining in the case, and advance notice is required. Use the tickler file and/or worker alerts in MAVERICS to control the removal of children attaining the age of 18 in TANF cases. There is also a MAVERICS report of children reaching their 18th birthday. Notice of Closure When the county office reaches the decision that the recipient or recipients are no longer eligible for assistance, the worker will send a closure notice giving the effective date of closure. Ineligibility for assistance means that the case is closed and that the recipient or recipients are no longer qualified for benefits. Refer to Volume X, Chapter 4 for the notices and instructions to use in MAVERICS. Special Procedures on Closures When Absent Parent Returns Follow these special procedures for closure when a parent returns from a hospital or prison. 1. When the basis for ineligibility in TANF is the return of the parent to the home where the other parent and children live, and neither parent is incapacitated, send the payee A905, TANF Request for Information, stating the assistance may be continued for three months in order to give time for him to obtain work or whatever other adjustments may be necessary. However, also ask the parents to let the department know of any changes in the family situation that might result in their being eligible for a longer period of