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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 20

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 13 Chapter 20 Emergency and Special Assistance Programs

The Worker must assist the applicant by contacting the receiving agency to make an appointment, if appropriate. In addition, the Worker must provide any other instructions, as appropriate, including directions to the agency's location, information needed for the application process, person to be contacted, etc. Any applicant who is capable, yet refuses to cooperate or follow through in a reasonable manner when referred to an available community resource, is denied EA. 20.2.2.I Other DOHS Benefits If there is an indication that the applicant may be eligible for Medicaid and/or SNAP, the Worker must explore this as a way to eliminate or prevent the applicant's emergency. WV WORKS must not be used to eliminate or prevent the applicant's emergency. If the applicant is found eligible for Medicaid or SNAP and he can obtain the benefits in time to prevent the emergency, the applicant is expected to accept this as a resource instead of EA. If the applicant refuses to cooperate, his application for EA is denied. If the applicant is eligible for Medicaid and/or SNAP but cannot obtain this assistance in time to prevent the emergency, the Worker completes the EA application and authorizes payment if the applicant is found eligible. 20.2.2.J Referrals to Office of Children and Adult Services Individuals who request EA are often in need of other services administered by the Bureau for Children and Families (BCF) Office of Children and Adult Services. However, the client's refusal to accept ongoing services is not considered in determining the client's eligibility for EA. Referral Example: The Worker has determined a client is eligible to receive EA and that the client is in need of money management counseling. The Worker may offer to refer the client, but the application is not denied if the client refuses the referral.