Page 44

TANF POLICY MANUAL

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 44

2.17 Work and Training Requirements Every WEI must meet TANF work/training requirements as a condition of eligibility for TANF cash benefits. Failure to meet the requirements may cause the recipient and his/her BG to lose TANF cash benefits.

2.18 Collateral Contacts A DSS representative may contact other people including the A/R's neighbors, banks, employers, and federal agencies, etc., in order to verify the A/R's circumstances: a. Income b. Checking/savings accounts c. Non-citizen status d. Insurance/disability/retirement benefits (SSA/SSI/VA, etc.) e. Medical history f. Other facts relevant to the A/R's eligibility for participation in programs administered by DSS

2.19 Verification Information the A/R gives DSS is subject to being verified by staff members of the county and state offices. The A/R may be asked to verify information and the ES Worker will assist, if necessary, in obtaining the verification. The A/R must cooperate fully with all DSS workers.

2.20 TANF Fraud Penalties The A/R may be subject to prosecution for fraud if the A/R knowingly gives false, incorrect, or incomplete information in order to receive, try to receive, or help someone else receive TANF benefits. The A/R may be required to repay TANF benefits that the recipient was not entitled to receive even though the benefits were received through no fault of the recipient (Agency Error).

If the A/R misuses or ineligibly receives any support services benefits, the recipient may have to repay the benefits.

Child Support Fraud Penalties The A/R may be subject to prosecution for fraud if the A/R knowingly gives false, incorrect or incomplete information concerning the identity of any non-custodial parents/grandparents who are or may be legally responsible for providing child support for any minor child(ren) included in the BG.

2.21 Reporting Requirements The applicant must report facts which may affect the eligibility determination. The following changes must be reported within ten days:

A. Employment Status (starting or losing a job) B. Unearned income (amount or source) C. Change in residence or address D. Change in BG composition