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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 14

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 28 Chapter 14 Work Requirements

14.8.4 CASE STAFFING A case staffing is required before all sanctions start. After a sanction has been imposed, the Worker must send a pending closure notice (DFA- WVW-5) or system notice, which includes an appointment for a case staffing. The case staffing notice may be sent any time after notification that the sanction has been imposed, but before start of the sanction. It is recommended that the case staffing occur as soon as possible after the notification to try to avoid the sanction. When the sanction is scheduled to start prior to the case staffing, the sanction must be delayed until the case staffing has been attempted. The Worker must document in comments the dates the case staffing was scheduled and also document the outcome of a completed case staffing on a DFA-WVW-6 and in comments. At the Supervisor’s discretion, a home visit may be made in addition to the case staffing. However, the home visit does not substitute for the case staffing. During the case staffing, the Case Manager must discuss with the participant the reason(s) for the sanction. The Case Manager will explore with the participant why he has not complied with the PRC or SSP or otherwise participated and cooperated. During the visit, the Case Manager will explore any support services, other Department services or community resources that are available to the client to address any challenges to participation. Appropriate services and referrals will be arranged. The Case Manager must also discuss the following during the case staffing visit: • Plans for how the children’s needs will be met when the WV WORKS benefit stops. • How rent and utilities will be paid while the WV WORKS case is ineligible. • Determine how extra expenses, such as, but not limited to, cleaning and laundry supplies, clothing, etc. will be covered. • Explain that if a participant is in their first sanction, Emergency Assistance is not available for one month. For the second and subsequent sanctions, Emergency Assistance is not available for the first three months of a sanction period. • Explain that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not increase due to the loss of WV WORKS. • Explain that the participant must establish good cause to avoid a sanction. NOTE: Under no circumstances is the Worker to suggest or indicate that the loss of WV WORKS benefits will result in removal of the children from the home.