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201.10 TANF MANUAL 10/18 Page 3a

• VaCMS will automatically take action to close or reduce the TANF benefits, as appropriate, and send a 10-day Advance Notice of Proposed Action. A copy will be retained in the Forms History.

• VaCMS will automatically close the case if paternity has not been established for the child for whom the caretaker has failed to cooperate and the child has received TANF for at least six months.

If paternity has been established or, if the child has not been on TANF for at least six months, VaCMS will reduce the payment by the appropriate amount as determined by guidance at 201.10C. The reduction will be effective the following month or as soon as administratively possible based on Advance Notice requirements.

The EW must manually update the task and reminder when the action to reduce or terminate benefits has been completed. It is the responsibility of the worker to ensure that VaCMS takes the appropriate actions in accordance with this section.

Detailed information is maintained in the DCSE case record to substantiate the noncooperation and must be made available, upon request, if the penalty resulting from the noncooperation finding is appealed. If the action is appealed, the EW must contact the DCSE worker to inform him that an appeal has been filed and to request the supporting documentation required to be included in the appeal summary. The DCSE worker will attend the hearing or participate in the telephonic hearing to testify as to the applicant/recipient's failure to cooperate.

3. The local agency must ensure the appropriate penalty for noncooperation is imposed the following month or as soon as administratively possible in accordance with Section 201.10.C., as follows:

Check the Forms History to ensure an advanced notice has been sent advising the recipient of the penalty.

a. DCSE will be notified of the penalty through the VaCMS system interface when the action to reduce or close the benefits in VaCMS has been certified and authorized.

TANF Transmittal 65