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401.2 TANF MANUAL 7/20 Page 2f

are examples of the situations which may indicate the need to solicit additional income information. The case record must be documented regarding the agency's reason for sending the income form. However, the income form is not an eligibility requirement; therefore, negative action cannot be taken for failure to return the form. If the agency chooses not to use the income form, the case record must contain documentation of the attempts to clarify the possibility of unreported income.

C. Interviews - An interview by the EW is required at the time of the initial application, reapplication and renewal. The interview shall be used to obtain verification and to secure information necessary to complete the application/redetermination process. The interview may be conducted in the office of the local agency, the home of the applicant/recipient, a place agreeable to both parties, or by telephone. Home visits may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the local department.

For the initial application and reapplication determination only, if the household does not respond to the scheduled interview, the local agency must send the household the Missed Interview Notice. The notice advises the household to reschedule the interview and that the agency will deny the application if the household does not reschedule the interview. The agency needs to send the notice after the first missed interview appointment only.

The agency must deny the application on the 30th after the application filing date or if the household does not request another interview. When the 30th day following the application date falls on a weekend or holiday, the worker must deny the application by the last working day prior to the 30th day. If the household requests a second interview prior to the 30th calendar day following the application filing date, the agency must not deny the application. If the household is eligible for benefits, the agency must issue prorated benefits from the application date.

The agency must not deny the application on the 30th day if the agency has not scheduled the interview before the 30th day. In addition, the agency must not deny the application on the 30th day if the agency has not allowed the household a minimum of 10 days after the interview to supply verification or needed information to process the application.

If an initial interview is not conducted and/or no “Interview Held Date” is entered in the VaCMS, then during the nightly batch process on the 30th day after the application date, the VaCMS will automatically deny the application.

D. Practices Specifically Prohibited - The following practices are specifically prohibited:

1. Entering a home by force, without knocking or under false pretenses.

2. Making home visits outside of working hours, unless such a visit cannot be arranged during working hours because of the applicant/recipient's employment, or a home visit has been requested by the applicant/recipient. When such visits are necessary, the case record must be documented accordingly. Making visits other than specified is not acceptable under any circumstances.

3. Searching in the home, in closets, drawers or papers, etc.

TANF Transmittal 68