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Volume III | Chapter 14

14200 MISSISSIPPI [ CLAIMS: PROCEDURES AFTER APPROVAL OF CLAIM]

Revised 01 - 01 - 07

PROCEDURES AFTER THE CLAIM IS APPROVED After the claim is approved, the individual will be sent a notice explaining the reason for the overpayment and that MDHS will collect these improper payments. The individual may contact the county for more information about the overpayment. The county should thoroughly explain the reason for the overpayment, the collection procedures and answer any questions from the individual. The household should return the demand letter, signed by the PI indicating the preferred method of repayment in the space provided, or the PI may call and arrange repayment with the worker. Either contact must be made within 10 days as specified on the notice. If the individual s case is closed or they choose to repay on a monthly basis, advise him that payment must be in the form of a money order or cashier s check made payable to STATE TREASURER and mailed to the State Office. The payment must be received by the third of the month and should include the case name, case number and the notation TANF in order to receive proper credit for the payment. If the individual fails to respond and has not made arrangements for direct repayment or requested a hearing prior to the expiration of the advance notice period, then the county will begin recoupment from the money payment. The A702 Recoupment from Grant must be mailed to the individual to inform him of the change. If the individual requests a hearing, the county will explain that any payments made during the hearing process must also be repaid if the individual does not win the hearing. The county will need to prepare hearing folders that include a copy of the claim and all material used in working the claim. The claim should be pulled up with other current case material and filed on the top left side of the case record at each redetermination until the total overpayment is recovered. The worker should make the client aware that changes in the money payment will affect the amount being recouped each month, and MAVERICS will adjust the amount to ensure that the maximum is withheld each month. The Claims Management Unit and Fraud Investigations will continue to handle repayment on inactive cases. The minimum payment that an assistance unit must make will normally be 10% of the income available to the assistance unit. This amount may be increased if the assistance unit has cash reserve.

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