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EXTENSION REQUESTS: As long as the individual is making appropriate attempts to obtain verification and requests an extension prior to the 45th or 90th day timeframe, 15-day extensions are granted. Additional extensions must be requested prior to the current extension expiration date. Case note all contact(s) with applicant and their attempts to obtain information. A new 15 day notice is needed each time the agency grants an extension and should list any outstanding verifications required. WAIVING TIMELY DETERMINATION: The 45-day processing time frame may be extended if the agency is unable to make an eligibility determination because of circumstances beyond the agency’s control (e.g., the applicant is having problems obtaining necessary verification). The agency is not obligated to extend this 45-day period if the applicant has failed to respond (without good cause) in a timely manner to the county’s request for documentation and verification necessary to determine eligibility. All processing delays must be fully explained and documented in case notes. Each extension requested by the applicant and granted by the agency must be documented with a new 15-day notice to the applicant. ELIGIBILITY START DATE: Eligibility begins the first day of the application month for applicants who are: 1. Categorically needy; or 2. Medically needy and choose and pay the 'cash option' or 3. Eligible for MWD and pay the cost share. For medically needy applicants who choose to use incurred medical expenses to meet the spend down obligation, eligibility begins the day the client has enough medical expenses to meet the spend down. This may or may not be the first day of the month. NEW COVERAGE REQUEST: A request to add another household member to an existing/open Medicaid case is considered a new “coverage request”; a new application cannot be required. The new "coverage request" is considered a reported change and is subject to change reporting timeliness requirements. When a household reports a new household member, the household must be given only 15 days from the "coverage request date" to provide information necessary to determine the individual's eligibility, as well as to redetermine eligibility for the existing household members' continued eligibility, which may be affected by the addition of the new household member.