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Page | 76 4250 MINIMUM ISSUANCE

Except during an initial month, all eligible one-person and two-person households shall receive minimum monthly allotments equal to the minimum benefit. The minimum benefit is 8% of the maximum allotment for a household of one, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

Any one or two person households who are categorically eligible are entitled to a minimum amount. Households are not provided a minimum monthly allotment in the event of a nationally ordered suspension, cancellation or reduction in benefits of 90% or more or if the household's allotment is being reduced to recoup an overpayment. 4300 DELAYS IN PROCESSING

When it is not possible to determine eligibility by the end of the application processing period, the Benefits Specialist must determine the cause for the delay before denying the application.

4310 DELAY CAUSED BY HOUSEHOLD

Households that fail to provide necessary information or complete the application process, must be issued a notice of denial on the 30th day. The household should have the maximum allowable time to establish eligibility and receive benefits.

The reason for denial due to delays caused by the household is required to be documented. The documentation must include an explanation that the four conditions below have been met. (If these conditions have not been met, DSS is at fault and the case must be held open.)

1. The Benefits Specialist offered, or attempted to offer, reasonable assistance to the household in completing the application form. 2. The Benefits Specialist must have informed the household of the need to register for work and allowed at least 10 calendar days for the member to register or go to work. 3. When verification is incomplete, the household was provided with a statement of required verification, DSS-EA-300, Verification Checklist, and assistance was offered to the household in obtaining the required verification. The household was allowed at least 10 calendar days to provide the verification. 4. If the household missed an interview, a notice of missed appointment was sent with a request that the household reschedule the appointment.

When the household postpones a rescheduled interview or when the interview cannot be rescheduled until after the 20th day, then the household must:  Physically appear for the interview  Bring verification  Register members for work by the 30th day  Complete the application process by the 30th day

If the household does not do so, the delay is the fault of the household. If the household misses both interviews and requests a third, any delay is the fault of the household.

Note: This policy does not apply to households who have actively refused to cooperate in the application process. Reminder: When a prorated allotment is less than $10, no benefits are issued for the application month.