Page 23

401.3 TANF MANUAL 7/24 Page 4a

C. Renewal Application

A renewal application may be made either electronically at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov or in writing by completing either the VaCMS-generated SNAP/TANF Renewal Application or the Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grants (AG), SNAP, and TANF (032-03-729A). A renewal application made online is considered signed by the applicant when submitted. A written application (SNAP/TANF Renewal Application or Renewal Application for AG, SNAP, and TANF) must be signed by the applicant to be valid. Additionally, the following forms must be reviewed with the TANF recipient and mailed, prior to case approval:

• Do You Have a Disability? (032-03-0670) • Notice of Cooperation and Good Cause (032-03-0036) – (exception*) • Notice of Intentional Program Violations and Penalties (032-03-0646)

*If during the renewal process, the recipient wishes to change their cooperation or good cause claim for cooperating with the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the Notice of Cooperation and Good Cause (032-03-0036) form must be reviewed, completed, and signed by the recipient, prior to case approval.

The Attesting to the Lack of Information (032-03-0423) form must be reviewed, completed, and signed by the TANF recipient, if applicable. (See 201.10.A.c., page2a)

A completed and signed renewal application submitted by the 15th day of the renewal month is a timely application for renewal. The recipient who does not timely file an application for renewal will lose the right to uninterrupted benefits. The EW must approve or deny the application by the 30th day after the renewal application date as long as the recipient has at least 10 days to provide all required verifications.

D. Renewal Interview

1. An interview must be completed with the recipient once every 12 months. An interview may be conducted in the office of the local department of social services, the home of the recipient, or a place agreeable to both parties which will insure privacy and confidentiality, or by telephone. Home visits may be made as deemed necessary by the EW based on the recipient’s circumstances.

2. The recipient's rights and responsibilities must be reviewed and explained. (Note: Secure the client’s acknowledgement that rights and responsibilities have been reviewed orally and in writing at renewal if this information was not documented in the record at the time of application.)

E. Joint Processing - The Food Stamp Act of 1977 requires that renewals for TANF and SNAP be handled in a single interview when the following conditions exist:

1. when all persons in the case receive TANF and SNAP benefits as the same household; and

2. when the application is completed prior to the month or in the same month in which the certification period ends. (Refer to the SNAP Manual, Volume V, Part 2, H.) The provisions in Section 401.1.A also apply to renewals.

F. Overdue Renewals

1. A renewal not completed by the last day of the renewal month is considered overdue. An assistance unit may not receive benefits beyond the renewal month. If all required elements of the renewal process (renewal application, interview and verification of required eligibility factors) have not been completed by the last day of the renewal month, the VaCMS will automatically stop issuance of benefits. For example, a renewal due by March 31 is not completed. The VaCMS will automatically stop issue of benefits. No payment will be issued April 1.

TANF Transmittal 78