Clarifying Information - WAC 388-434-0005 and WAC 388-434-0010

Our eligibility system sets a review period for cash benefits based on the AU's circumstances and other benefits the AU receives from the department. The table below shows the length of certification period the system will set if not matching a review period to another program.

AU Circumstances Default Review Period ABD cash 12 months Refugee Cash Assistance Up to 12 months TANF/ SFA 12 months Working Family Support 6 months

When possible, the system automatically matches the cash review periods with Basic Food certification periods to minimize the number of reviews.

For Basic Food certification periods, see EAZ Manual Chapter - Certification Periods - Basic Food .

Equal Access:

Someone receiving ABD or HEN referral programs who needs Equal Access accommodations has more time to meet certification requirements. If a person receives these services and meets the requirements to be certified within 20 days after the end of their previous certification period, their ABD cash benefits start on the first of the month of the new certification period.

For TANF or food assistance, if the Eligibility Review for recertification is received after the end of the certification period, it is treated as a new application and benefits are prorated from the new date of request.

Forms / processes a person can use to recertify food and cash programs: Someone can recertify benefits by: Completing DSHS 14-001 (X) Application for Benefits; Completing DSHS 14-078(X) Eligibility Review; Completing an ACES Interactive Interview Declaration (IID); or Completing the online application or review form.

Adding a request for assistance to an eligibility review: See CLARIFYING INFORMATION #3 under WAC 388-406-0010 .

Interview Requirements: An interview is required at cash and food Eligibility Review or recertification if we have not interviewed the household in the last twelve months. Exceptions to this rule are for households qualifying for the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) Basic Food (see Clarifying Information #2 under WAC 388-452-0005 ), and ABD cash recipients residing in a public institution per WAC 388-452-0005 .

Duplicate Eligibility Review Forms:

A duplicate ER form is an additional form(s) received in the 13th month after an ER form was received in the last month of the certification. Under reinstatement rules the client has until the end of the 13th month to complete an interview and provide verification without losing benefits. However, staff must screen in the duplicate ER form as a new request in case the client completes the interview in the 14th month but still in the first 30 days for the new request. Under federal application rules a date of request must be established and the client must receive required notices.

6. Notice of expiration: If we certified a household for three or more months, we send them a letter to tell them that their food and cash benefits are ending by the first day of the last month of their certification period.

7. Verification at recertification:

If someone does not give us verification we ask for by the end of their certification period or within 10 days of the date we asked for it, we count the verification as late.

For food benefits, a person has until the end of the month after the month their certification ended to give us any late or missing verification without losing benefits if the eligibility review was received before the end of the certification period. When the review is late, benefits are prorated from the date of reapplication.

For cash benefits, a person has until the end of the month after the month their certification ended to give us any late or missing verification. If verification is provided in the month after their certification ended, benefits should be prorated from the date that verification is received.

If someone gives us an application or verification to finish a recertification after the end of the month following the certification end month, the person must reapply for benefits.

On August 25th, Bill contacts the CSO and completes his recertification interview that same day. The worker must pend completion of the ER because Bill hasn't provided proof of income. Bill has until the end of August to provide the income verification in order to have benefits reinstated back to August 1.

The worker should send an information request letter on August 25 to Bill giving the him until August 31 to provide the information. If Bill doesn't provide the income verification by August 31st, the case remains closed and Bill must reapply.

See Letters for information on what to include in approval and denial letters.

See Limited English Proficiency (LEP) for information on what we must translate in letters.9.

An application;

An eligibility review;

A Basic Food application or recertification;

An in-person or telephone interview.

Acceptable forms and Interviews

Electronic or Paper Application / Eligibility Review Form Ensure the household has completed and signed one of the following as part of the process if they aren’t completing a Telephonic Signature: Online application or eligibility review; Application for Benefits ( DSHS 14-001 ); Eligibility Review ( DSHS 14-078 ); or ACES Interactive Interview Declaration (IID) after reviewing the information for accuracy. Accept any of the above forms to complete the recertification process if received after the ER notice was mailed to the customer, but prior to the system allowing initiation of the review.

Completing the Review

Review of current circumstances: As part of the review ensure that: The customer answered all questions clearly and completely; and For cash assistance, they signed and dated the application or ER. Both spouses, or both parents of a child in common must sign when the parents live together. Complete an Equal Access (EA) Screening. Guidance on completing an EA Screening can be found in the CSD Procedures Handbook. Review the record to see if earlier actions or changes may have an impact on eligibility. Review for eligibility factors, especially: Income: Review income to see if net income meets expenses for rent, utilities, and other expenses the assistance unit pays. See EA-Z Manual – Verification for more information on living above means (LAM). Resources: ( Except for: Basic Food AUs that are Categorically Eligible ) Review resources the household claims to see if there are any changes to resources we earlier excluded or decided were not available. Review funds in joint checking accounts that we excluded earlier. Review the plan to exclude business property of a self-employed person to decide if the property leads to full or partial self-support. Review the value of liquid and non-liquid resources. Look for an increase in the value of real estate, cash value of life insurance, and securities that can be sold such as stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit (CD). Review and get proof of eligibility factors that have changed. Review and document previous proof to ensure that: Previously verified factors are clear and complete in the case file; and Do not asking for duplicate or unneeded proof. Document proof we received. Take action on any incorrect payments you discover. Send the person a letter about the actions you took. Work Registration: Check the work registration status of each customer to see if it matches their current circumstance. Take any action to update the status if there are changes.

Referrals: Review all mandatory and voluntary referrals and complete referrals as needed.

Incomplete and late reviews: A household is ineligible for benefits if they don’t complete a required interview, complete a review form (if asked to do so), or give us proof we ask for. See Equal Access (EA) for additional actions required when the household has an EA plan. If the person does not take the needed actions or give us the proof we need to decide if they are eligible for benefits by the end of the review month, cash and food assistance will auto close.