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401.1 TANF MANUAL 7/21 Page 2a

If the applicant wishes to change any of the information he has provided or any information as it appears on the application, the EW must make the change in the VaCMS system.

E. Time Standard for Processing Application - The local agency must complete the initial application process by the 30th calendar day following the application filing date. This time standard covers the day following the date of receipt of the signed application to the date the assistance payment is issued or the notification of denial of assistance is mailed to the applicant, and/or an authorized representative, if applicable. (The applicant must be informed of the time standard at the time of application.) If an eligibility determination can be made because all required information has been received, a prompt decision must be made. Otherwise, the application must remain pending until the 30th calendar day following the application date unless the date falls on a weekend or holiday. When the 30th calendar day following the application date falls on a weekend or holiday, the EW must complete the application process by the last working day prior to the 30th day.

For applicants who miss scheduled appointments and do not request a second appointment, the agency must not deny the application until the 30th calendar day following the application date unless the date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Example: TANF application received March 15. The agency scheduled an interview for March 18. The applicant failed to appear. On March 18, the worker indicated in the VaCMS that the applicant missed the interview. The applicant did not request another interview. During the nightly batch process on April 14, the 30th day after the application date, the VaCMS will automatically deny the application.

For applicants who fail to appear for the initial interview, but request to have an interview prior to the 30th calendar day following the application date, an interview must be scheduled, and the applicant must appear.

Example 1: TANF application received January 2. The agency scheduled an interview for January 6. The applicant failed to appear. On January 6, the worker indicated in the VaCMS that the applicant missed the interview and set a task and reminder to deny the TANF application on the 30th calendar day following the application date. On January 23, the applicant called and requested to reschedule the interview. Since the applicant called prior to the 30th calendar day following the application date, the worker must reschedule the interview. If the interview or due date for required verifications goes beyond the 30th calendar day following the application date, then the delay is client caused.

Example 2: TANF application received January 31. An interview was scheduled and held on February 3. The worker entered the “Interview Held Date” on the Interview Details screen in the VaCMS and requested verifications by February 13. The applicant failed to provide the required verifications by the due date. The worker must not deny the application until Friday, February 28. In this case, the denial will occur prior to the 30th calendar day following the application date, Sunday, March 2, because the 30th calendar day falls on a weekend.

If an applicant has not had a minimum of 10 days after the interview to provide required verifications, the worker must not deny the application on the 30th calendar day after the application date. The agency must allow the additional time.

TANF Transmittal 71