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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 1

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 17 Chapter 1 Application/Redetermination Process

• The individual has information necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related to either of the two statements immediately above. The Worker provides only the individual’s last known address, SSN, and, if available, a photograph of any member of the individual’s household. It is the responsibility of the CSM to review and approve the release of all such information. If a written request for information is questionable, the Supervisor or CSM must contact the DFA Economic Services Policy Unit for assistance. Additional guidance on releasing confidential information is outlined in the DOHS Common Chapters Sections 200 – 250. 1.2.3.D Coding Cases as Confidential When the Worker is aware that an applicant is an employee of the Department, a relative of a Department employee, or otherwise clearly may have an interest in limiting access to his case information, he must notify his Supervisor. The Supervisor codes the case as confidential for the client’s protection. 1.2.3.E Cases Involving Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking When the client discloses a sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking situation, extreme caution must be taken to safeguard any information about the individual’s location or living situation. • The Worker must not contact the individual named as the abuser, or his relatives or friends, for any information or verification required from the client. • The case must be coded in the eligibility system with the sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking indicator to alert all who access the case about the client’s situation. • Copies of any information that involve a sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking situation must never be placed in the case record to ensure the safety of the client and to ensure that the alleged abuser does not gain access to information that may compromise the safety of the client. • If it is necessary to make contacts with a sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking agency or the Division of Children and Adult Services, or to maintain records for the purpose of documentation of the situation for a WV WORKS temporary exemption from work requirements, the information must be maintained in a