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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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contacting the Benefit Integrity Unit. The Benefit Integrity Unit is responsible for representing DSS in the Fair Hearing.

1. Continued Benefits The period to request a Fair Hearing begins when the recipient receives written notification of the claim. The recipient may request continued benefits within 10 days of notification that benefits will be reduced. In order to be eligible for continued benefits the recipient must be cooperating with the work component, if mandatory.

NOTE: Continued benefits do not apply to cases where the client is disputing a 24-month case closure.

2. Fair Hearing Time Frame The BG may request a fair hearing to challenge any aspect of the claim. The period to request a fair hearing is 60 days from the date of the first notification.

20.12 Occurrence of Offsetting An offset occurs any time a BG is entitled to receive a restoration of lost benefits and there is an outstanding claim. On active cases, claims are collected by automated recoupment.

Calculation The amount of restoration the BG is entitled to receive must be applied toward repayment of the claim. The BG may receive the balance of the benefits after the claim has been paid in full. The automated offset occurs at the point the restoration is entered into the computer by the TANF supervisor. An automated offset will not occur for the current month.

NOTE: This procedure is handled by CHIP.

Actions must be taken to recoup an overpayment by the end of the quarter following the quarter in which the overpayment is identified. EXCEPTION: Any overpayment of less than $35 is suspended for 36 months for a non- recipient unless fraud is suspected. If the individual reapplies and is approved during the 36 months, recoupment must be initiated.

20.13 Recognizing Overpayments on CHIP The BICS will initiate collection of overpayments on CHIP in the case. This is indicated on CHIP screen AFBH in the RECOUP column.

Recoupment Method The recoupment method depends on whether the overpaid individual is a current recipient or a non- recipient.

A. Current Recipient The overpayment is automatically recouped.