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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 1

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 98 Chapter 1 Application/Redetermination Process

The Worker must approve, deny or withdraw the application within 30 days of the date of application. When the application must be denied because the client has not responded to a DFA-6 or verification checklist, the Worker must wait until after the tenth day but no later than the 31st day to deny the application. Online applications must be issued an appointment notice to complete the above requirements when the applicant is unable to be reached by phone to schedule the face-to-face interview. Failure to keep the face-to-face appointment to complete the above requirements must result in denial of the application. Time Limits Example 1: An applicant telephones the office on June 26, to find out how to apply for WV WORKS. At that time, an appointment is scheduled for him to meet with a Worker on July 5. The next group orientation after the application is completed is July 12, which is past the 10-day time limit. Therefore, the Worker must complete an individual orientation session for this applicant, preferably at the intake interview on July 5. Time Limits Example 2: An applicant contacts the office by telephone on September 10, to find out how to apply for WV WORKS. At that time, an appointment is scheduled for him to meet with a Worker on September 13 and to attend group orientation on September 19. The applicant is caring for his mother until she can be placed in a nursing home. Placement is expected on September 25, so he requests that his appointments be rescheduled for later that same week. He is then scheduled to meet with the Worker on September 26 and to attend group orientation later that same day. Although the application process is completed outside the time limit, it is due to the client’s request which is recorded in case comments. 1.5.10 AGENCY DELAYS If an application has not been acted on within the required time limit due to agency error, corrective action must be taken immediately. EXCEPTION: When the delay is a result of factors outside the control of the Department of Human Services (DOHS) and the applicant, or when the client requests a delay, any of the above actions may be postponed. When action is postponed due to the client’s request, his request must be recorded in case comments.