Page 158

TANF POLICY MANUAL

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 158

11. ES Worker Action to Remove a Protective Payee If there is a change in household circumstances and the protective payee is no longer needed, the name of the protective payee must be removed from the AFDC Payee field on CHIP screen ADDR. Once this action is completed, CHIP will generate an ePay card with the PI’s name. The card will be mailed within 7-10 business days to the address listed on CHIP screen ADDR. The previously identified protective payee will no longer be issued a paper check.

11.4 Endorsement of Checks There are situations where an individual other than the payee needs to endorse the check. Based on the reason, the following chart shows the procedures, which should be used:

Reason Procedure Death of recipient 1. When a TANF payee dies on or before the first day of the month for which a benefit check has been issued, the check may be endorsed “without recourse” to the payee’s spouse or nearest adult relative by the county director.

2. Endorsement is accomplished by having the following statement typewritten single spaced on the reverse side of the check in the top 1 ½ inches: (Name of Client)_____, died on_____(MMDDYY of Death)____therefore, in compliance with S.C. Code, Title 43, 5-200 (1978), is payable to____(Name of Spouse/Relative) without recourse. (Name and Title of County Director)____(Endorsement of Spouse/Relative)____ This statement authorizes the bank to cash the check without liability for doing so. Emergency situation When emergency situations arise and the recipient is incapable or unavailable to cash a benefit check (i.e., hospitalized, jailed, etc.) the county probate judge may issue an order authorizing a guardian or other person to endorse the check. When this is not possible, it is necessary to return the check to the State DSS office for re-issuance in the name of the spouse, legal guardian or other responsible person.

1. Cancellation of Check In the two situations below, the check must be canceled and reissued in the correct amount based on the new situation: A. Death, desertion or commitment to a public institution of a TANF payee before the first day of the month for which the check is issued when the new payee is ineligible to be included in the TANF benefit but the child(ren) remains eligible.

B. Removal of a TANF child from the home before the first day of the month for which the check is issued and his/her placement in foster care when the other child(ren) in the home remains eligible.