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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 1

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 4 Chapter 1 Application/Redetermination Process

1.2.1.D Right to Voter Registration Services The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), also known as the Motor Voter Act, is a federal civil rights law that requires public assistance agencies to provide voter registration services. A voter registration application and declination form must be provided at any point a client engages in contact with the DOHS in conjunction with benefits. If the contact is made via any method other than a face-to-face, the application and declination form must be mailed to the client. West Virginia election laws require that DOHS offices provide voter registration services in conjunction with the following benefits: • WV WORKS • SNAP • Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) • Medicaid Workers must provide the same level of assistance with voter registration applications as they would with any other agency form or service. This includes reviewing the voter registration application to ensure all required fields are completed and answering any questions the client may have. Workers must submit all completed declination forms, including those marked “yes,” “no,” or those left blank by the client, and voter registration applications to their county NVRA Coordinator. See Appendices E, F, and G for Worker, County, and State Coordinator responsibilities related to assistance with voter registration. The BFA State Coordinator may be contacted at 304-352-4431. 1.2.1.E Right to Fair and Equitable Treatment of Applicants and Clients West Virginia has established procedures for ensuring fair and equitable treatment of applicants and recipients of public assistance (clients). The DOHS prohibits discrimination against its applicants and clients on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or NOTE: When an individual who applied for Medicaid through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) expresses to the DOHS an interest in voter registration, the Worker must provide a voter registration application. The Worker must also send a declination form if the inquirer decides not to register.