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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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2. Public Information County offices are required to maintain program policy handbooks/manuals and make them available for examination by the public upon request. The public has the right to examine:

A. Rules and regulations governing eligibility B. Need/benefit tables C. Recipient rights and responsibilities D. Types of services offered.

3. Confidential Case Information The following case information is considered confidential and must be safeguarded:

A. All information obtained in the course of interviews with the A/R B. All information obtained while verifying eligibility for the A/R C. Name, address, and Social Security Number (SSN) of the A/R D. Information on the economic, social or medical circumstances of the A/R E. The TANF benefit amount received by the recipient.

4. Disclosing Confidential Information Confidential information may be disclosed in the following situations:

A. Verification – When the ES Worker is attempting to verify eligibility and must disclose a minimum of information limited to the facts required to determine eligibility.

B. Federal Assistance – When another agency administering a federal or federally assisted program, which provides needs-based assistance directly to individuals is attempting to assist an A/R and requests information directly related to that agency's programs. C. Audit – When a legislative body or designated audit body certifies the information is needed for audit purposes.

D. Federal Program Investigation – When any investigation, prosecution, or criminal/civil proceeding is being conducted in connection with the administration of federal programs administered by DSS.

E. Child Abuse/Neglect – When child abuse and/or neglect is suspected

F. Foster Care – When information directly related to the administration of the IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Programs is requested.

G. When the A/R or his/her authorized representative request to view information in the A/R's case file.

H. Fugitive Felon – When any state or local law enforcement officer requests the address of a fugitive felon the requesting officer must provide the recipient's name and SSN and demonstrate that: 1. The recipient is a felon