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Subject: Families First Application Process

Policy 23.01 Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 7 b. The application will be mailed on the same business day when an application request is received by mail, phone, fax, or electronically during normal business hours. • Requests received outside of normal business hours will be mailed on the following business day. c. Any person making an inquiry about an application should be advised of their right to same-day filing to protect the application start date. 2. TDHS will accept signed and dated applications received in the county office. Applications should be filed in the customer’s county of residence. a. The application may be received in person, by mail, online, by fax, or other electronic transmission. b. The application may be filed by the customer, their authorized representative, designated agent, or someone acting responsibly for them. c. The application file date will be the date the application is received by the county office during normal business hours. d. The application file date will be the following business day for applications received outside of normal business hours. e. Applications that contain the customer’s name and signature are valid. f. Receipt of an original application in addition to the faxed or electronic copy is not required. 3. The customer may voluntarily withdraw the application at any time prior to the determination of eligibility. Timeliness Standards 1. The standard for completing applications for Families First will be no later than forty-five (45) calendar days from the application file date. 2. Benefits are issued the first (1st) business day following the day the authorization is completed. 3. Any application for Families First that is not processed and authorized on the forty-ninth (49th) calendar day will be issued interim benefits based on the information that is available in the case record so that the customer’s benefits are issued no later than the fiftieth (50th) calendar day. 4. The authorization action will consist of approval or denial. Denial must be based on ineligibility for the program, failure to develop and/or sign a Personal Responsibility Plan, loss of contact, withdrawal of the application, or death of the customer. Scheduling Interviews 1. TDHS will schedule an interview as promptly as possible after the filing of the application.