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of the person who illegally endorsed the check with the signature of the payee in order to assist the wronged party in recovering the loss. Improper Payments An improper payment is defined as the receipt of a payment for TANF supportive services by a TWP participant or provider to which he or she is not entitled (overpayment) as a result of suspected fraud, client error, provider error, agency error, or other error. An improper payment may also occur when a participant or provider is underpaid (underpayment) as a result of client, provider, agency, or other error. Federal regulations allow states to take all reasonable and practical steps to correct and collect all improper payments made to TWP participants and providers. The fact that a participant received an improper supportive service payment(s) in the past does not affect the individual’s current eligibility for participation in the TWP. All improper payments (overpayments and under payments) must be documented via MDHSEA371, Report of TWP Improper Payment, completed by the case manager. Improper payment records will be added and maintained in JAWS. Case managers are responsible for processing overpayment records to initiate the recoupment process. Case manager supervisors, county directors, regional directors or regional program specialists are responsible for processing underpayment records. Refer to the JAWS User Manual, Chapter 15, Section 6, and Chapter 13, Section 9, for system procedures. Reasons for Improper Payments An improper payment may occur under any of the following conditions: 1. Suspected Fraud - The participant or provider, during the receipt of TANF supportive service payments, willfully falsifies, misrepresents or withholds information which, if known to the case manager, would have resulted in the denial of supportive services/reimbursements, or issuance of a smaller payment. a. State statutes that govern the granting of TANF supportive services define fraud and prescribe the following penalties: Whoever obtains or attempts to obtain or aids or abets any person to obtain by means of willful false statement or representation or by any impersonation or other fraudulent device.

Volume III | Chapter 10 [TANF WORK PROGRAM- PAYMENT PROCESS] Revised 02-01-11 10115 MISSISSIPPI [ TANF WORK PROGRAM - PAYMENT PROCESS: PAYMENT PROCESS]

Revised 02 - 01 - 11