Page 1429

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 11 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

If it is determined that an individual is permanently unable to engage in gainful employment, he qualifies for consideration for an extension of up to six months to apply for, or appeal prior denials of, statutory benefits. Statutory benefits include, but are not limited to: Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), SSI, Veterans Affairs (VA), and/or Railroad Retirement. 18.2.3.E Pregnancy/Age of Child An AG may qualify for an extension when both of the following conditions are met. • There is only one adult or emancipated minor living in the household; and • The pregnant woman will be in her last trimester of pregnancy in the 60th month of TANF receipt; or the AG includes a child who will be less than six months of age in the 60th month of TANF receipt. Pregnancy Example 1: A pregnant woman with two children is approved for a six-month extension based on her pregnancy. The six-month period runs from January through June. The baby is born in February. Although the baby will not be six months old until August, the extension must end in June when she has received 66 months of TANF. Pregnancy Example 2: A pregnant woman with two other children lives with her boyfriend who is not the legal father of any of the children. She does not qualify for consideration under this extension criteria. Pregnancy Example 3: A mother lives with her two children. The youngest child was born in July and the household receives its 60th month of benefits in August. An extension is granted based on the age of the child. The extension will end in January when the child turns six months of age. When based on a verified pregnancy, the extension remains in effect for up to six months. When the pregnancy does not end in a live birth, the extension, if already approved, remains in effect for two months following the end of the pregnancy. NOTE: The Case Manager must contact the extension applicant and give him information regarding the impact of receiving 60 months of TANF benefits. If the individual receives 60 months of WV WORKS benefits, he will be ineligible to receive child-only benefits if he is later approved for SSI. If the participant closes his case in the 59th month of benefits and is later approved for SSI, he may be eligible to receive child-only benefits for his child(ren). Comments regarding this discussion and the participant’s decision must be recorded in case comments before the case information is submitted to the 60 Month Committee.