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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 10

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 39 Chapter 10 The Case Maintenance Process

Any cash benefits that are not directly deposited into a bank account will be deposited into an EBT account. The person named as the protective payee will receive the EBT card and is able to spend the AG’s benefits. Even though other cash benefits and SNAP benefits go into the EBT account, the WV WORKS, child support incentive (CSI), or the Pass-Through benefit may be directly deposited into the local office account so that the check may be written by the Financial Clerk to pay the family’s expenses. The client must complete the appropriate direct deposit form and designate the account of the local office. Because only the monthly WV WORKS, CSI, or Pass-Through benefit is direct deposited, other cash benefits—such as Diversionary Cash Assistance (DCA) and initial or supplemental benefits—go into the EBT account. If the direct deposit method is used for the WV WORKS benefit, the Financial Clerk does not have to be designated as the payee in the eligibility system. In order for the client to access his other benefits, he must be the payee, unless another individual protective payee is chosen for the EBT benefits. 10.5.5.B.2 Protective Payments at the Client’s Request When the client requests a substitute payee in writing, the Worker must honor his request. The Worker takes the action as soon as possible after the request. The protective payments are discontinued as soon as possible after the client makes a request in writing. 10.5.5.B.3 Choosing a Substitute Payee When a substitute payee is used, the selection of a substitute payee is made by the client, or with his participation and consent, to the extent possible. When it is in the best interest of the client for a staff member of a private agency or any other appropriate organization to serve as a substitute payee, the selection is made, preferably, from the staff of an agency or that part of the agency providing protective services. The substitute payee cannot be an immediate member of the client’s family. Immediate family members include spouse, parents, grandparents, children, uncles and aunts, and siblings. In addition, the substitute payee cannot be living in the same home with the client. No employee of the DOHS can be a substitute payee, except when it is in the best interest of the client for a staff member of the DOHS to serve as such. The substitute payee is selected by Office of Children and Adult Services Protective Service staff.