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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 20

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 14 Chapter 20 Emergency and Special Assistance Programs

20.2.2.K Work Stoppage and Strikes The fact that the individual is participating in a work stoppage is not considered when determining eligibility for EA. All applicants for EA who are voluntarily or involuntarily participating in a work stoppage or strike are evaluated as any other applicant. 20.2.2.L Specific Eligibility Requirements for Federally Matched EA (Title IV-A) If an AG meets certain eligibility requirements, a percentage of the cost of emergency financial assistance will be reimbursed to the DOHS by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The DOHS may receive this reimbursement for any AG which includes children under the age of 21, providing the child lives with a specified relative. Special coding in the eligibility system is required. The Title IV-A box must be checked for families with children under the age of 21 providing the child is living with a specified relative. 20.2.2.M Defining the Elimination of the Emergency/Vendor Refuses to Eliminate the Emergency “Eliminate the Emergency” is defined as delaying or preventing the emergency from occurring for a period of not less than 30 days from the date the vendor is made aware of and accepts the DOHS’s offer. The client must be informed of this so there is no misunderstanding about how long the emergency will be delayed. This time period is most important for rent and utilities. The client must be informed that the DFA-67 voucher must be taken to the vendor without delay, if applicable. When the client is otherwise eligible for or approved for EA, yet the vendor refuses to eliminate the emergency, payment must be denied to the vendor. This may occur when the vendor is not satisfied with the amount of payment. Payment is not made to any vendor who refuses to eliminate the emergency. If payment has already been made to the vendor, reimbursement must be requested from the vendor. If the vendor refuses to reimburse the DOHS, a fraud summary must be completed and sent to Investigations and Fraud Management (IFM). The client must locate a new vendor with assistance from the Worker, if necessary. When a vendor refuses to eliminate the emergency, the application is denied only when another vendor cannot be located by the applicant and/or Worker to eliminate the emergency.