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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 1

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 89 Chapter 1 Application/Redetermination Process

record in case comments that the client did not want to sign the application and the reason for his decision. The Worker must encourage the client to sign the application so there is no misunderstanding that he was denied the right to apply. If the online application is not complete, or additional relevant information is discovered during the face-to-face interview, a new DFA-2 and DFA-RR-1 will be required. 1.5.2.A Caretaker Relative Option When a parent(s) is included with his own child(ren) in the AG, the DFA-WVW-10 must not be signed. The form is used only when a caretaker relative receives cash assistance only for children to whom he is not a parent. For cases in which the caretaker relative is not a natural or adoptive parent, form DFA-WVW-10 must be explained. The form must be signed and completed prior to approval, but not necessarily during the intake interview. Refusal, or other failure, of the caretaker relative to sign the form results in denial of eligibility for the caretaker relative for at least 12 months. Eligibility continues to be denied beyond 12 months, for as long as the caretaker fails to choose. The original form must be filed in the case record and the client must be given a copy. See Section 3.4 for details about the limited choice for the caretaker. 1.5.3 DATE OF APPLICATION The date of application is the date that the DFA-2, which contains, at a minimum, the applicant’s name and address, is signed or the application is submitted online. See section 1.2 for the online process. Benefits are prorated from the date of application when all other eligibility requirements are met. If a household which became ineligible due to a lump sum payment requests recomputation, the date of application is the date of the request. Because approval depends upon making the application, attending orientation, and completing a Personal Responsibility Contract (PRC) / Self-Sufficiency Plan (SSP) as well as providing verifications, all of which may not be available to the client on the date of application, form DFA- RFA-1 is available to protect the date of application for proration purposes. There must be a full application made subsequent to each DFA-RFA-1. If the applicant fails to follow through with the application, the Worker must deny the DFA- RFA-1 in the eligibility system.