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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 10 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

receipt. If not, he must apply for SSI and be referred to the MRT prior to approval of an extension. The Case Manager must complete the MRT application and evaluation as soon as possible before reaching the 60th month. An SSI denial based on failure to establish a disability does not automatically preclude an extension on this basis if the MRT finds the individual to be disabled. However, the individual must be actively appealing his SSI denial to qualify for an extension. If the individual has been found to be disabled by the MRT and his re-evaluation is due before his 60th month of benefit receipt, his case must be submitted for a re-evaluation by the MRT. If it is determined that the individual is not disabled or is able to engage in gainful employment with no limitations, he does not qualify for an extension. If it is determined that the individual is able to engage in gainful employment with some limitations, he may qualify for an extension of up to six months to locate suitable employment and must be referred to the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for a vocational evaluation and assessment. If the MRT has determined, before or during the 60th month of benefits, that the individual will be temporarily unable to engage in gainful employment for a period of time extending beyond the 60th month of eligibility, he may qualify for an extension of up to six months. The number of months granted will depend on the length of time that the MRT has determined him to be unable to engage in a gainful activity. The local office will be responsible for monitoring the status of the participant on a monthly basis. If an MRT re-evaluation is due during the extension period and the decision again finds the individual unable to participate, the extension will continue up to six months. In this situation, if the extension is continued longer than initially approved by the committee, the Case Manager must detail the reason for extending the months in case comments, notify the 60-Month Extension Committee for approval, and adjust the appropriate number of months in the eligibility system, not to exceed six. During the extension period, the Case Manager must monitor the case to make sure the participant continues to meet all other eligibility requirements. Disabled Example: Ms. Bluebell receives her 60th month of benefits in January 2016 and has been found to be disabled or incapacitated by the MRT with a re- evaluation due in February 2016. The Committee approves a one-month extension through February 2016. In February, the MRT determines that the disability continues and sets the next re-evaluation for August 2016. The extension may be extended through July 2016, which would be the sixth month of benefits over the 60-month time limit. The Case Manager will adjust five months in the eligibility system and document the decision and action in case comments. Ms. Bluebell must be placed in the AD component in Work Programs in addition to other component codes.