Page 15

401.2 TANF MANUAL 10/19 Page 2a

Exception: If the child does not meet the conditions of eligibility, that child will be excluded; however, it may be possible to determine eligibility for the remaining assistance unit members.

If the client decides to assume the responsibility for obtaining the required verification, he must be advised that the information must be provided to the agency within ten (10) days and that failure to do so may affect the decision of eligibility. If the client cannot obtain the necessary information, because of circumstances beyond his control, and requests the EW's assistance in securing such information, the agency EW must then assume the responsibility for obtaining the needed verification.

When the responsibility for obtaining verification has been assumed by the EW, the client must be advised that if the agency or person from whom verification has been requested does not respond to the request, eligibility cannot be established. In these situations, the Notice of Action must be sent and the case record documented to reflect attempts made to obtain verification. Copies of all relative correspondence must also be in the case record.

If eligibility is established within the original 30-day processing time, the original application date is protected when an application is denied as a result of lack of required verification. The initial application date must be used if subsequent information substantiates the applicant's eligibility. (See 401.3.F.5.)

2. Ongoing Eligibility

When changes occur within the renewal period that affect eligibility or benefit amount, the agency must evaluate the change and take action to adjust the benefit amount, if necessary. The responsibility for changes lies with both the TANF AU and local agency. The individual must report changes in the household income and any other changes that may affect the AU’s status. The agency must make adjustments in entitlement and benefit amount based on reported changes and for changes the agency initiates.

a. Changes That Must Be Reported 1) The following changes must be reported by the TANF AU following case approval:

• Changes in address (a new physical or mailing address); • Changes in income that places the monthly income of the household above 130 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) for the number of people in the TANF AU (composition at approval or most recent renewal). (“Household,” for the purposes of determining income changes that must be reported, means the AU plus any other required unit members who reside together with the AU members. These required AU members include step-parents, parents who are not U.S. citizens or eligible aliens, and others whose needs are not included in the payment.

TANF Transmittal 67