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305.1 TANF MANUAL 10/18 Page 8

The case must be documented to reflect the method used to arrive at the anticipated income.

Eligibility must be determined for each month of the application period. Applicants may be ineligible for the month of application and eligible for the month following the month of application. Benefits must be denied for the month of application and approved for the month following the month of application.

Example 1: On November 17, the worker processes an application dated October 29. The case is denied for October and November due to excess income; however, the case will be eligible for a December payment as the income ended in November. Therefore, the case is to be approved effective December 1.

Example 2: On July 14, the worker processes an application dated June 1. The application was not processed within the 30-day application processing time frame due to the applicant being admitted to the hospital as a result of a stroke on the 28th day. Verification is received July 13. The worker determines that the case is eligible. The worker approves the case with July 1 as the beginning date of assistance.

Example 3: On December 1, the worker processes an application dated November 13. The case is eligible for a payment for November and December but ineligible for a January payment as a result of full-time employment. A payment is to be issued for November and December, and the case is to be closed effective December 31.

C. Verification of Income (Earned and Unearned)

In order to establish income eligibility, verification of all income received or anticipated to be received monthly by the assistance unit is required at the time of application/reapplication, when adding individuals with income, at renewals, and when a change becomes known to the agency. When verification is required, the agency must notify the applicant/recipient of the necessary verification and allow the assistance unit 10 days to respond. The assistance unit has primary responsibility for verifying income; however, if needed, the worker must assist the household in obtaining any necessary verifications.

The assistance unit is not responsible for providing verification of reported unearned income for which verification is accessible to the local agency through systems of records. These records include SDX, SVES, SOLQ- I, and VEC inquiry of unemployment benefits. The EW should document the date and results of the searches in Case Comments on the Screen Level page within VaCMS. If the inquiry confirms that the individual does not have unearned income, the EW should also document the result in Case Comments on the Screen Level page within the VaCMS. If the applicant/recipient fails to verify income either verbally or in writing, within 10 days of notification, guidance at 401.2.B.1. and 2. regarding substantiation of eligibility factors is to be followed.

TANF Transmittal 65