IMA POLICY MANUAL
PART VIII: CASE MAINTENANCE
CHAPTER 3: TANF REFERRAL PROCESSES
Approval of DPP Benefits 3.7.3
Before proceeding with DPP processing, the applicant?s employment or offer of employment must be verified either in writing or via telephone (written documentation is preferred). If the applicant is determined by the SSR to be a good candidate for DPP, the SSR must receive preliminary approval from the unit supervisor before proceeding. If the supervisor grants preliminary approval, the applicant must provide the following support documentation to the SSR:
- verification of the amount owed for auto insurance (if the policy has lapsed), rent, utilities, or professional licenses and fees; or
- at least three cost estimates of the item/service which may facilitate getting or keeping employment (e.g., auto repair, work clothes). (Note: if there are fewer than three providers of a particular good or service, such as a single uniform provider, three cost estimates are not required.)
If, at any time prior to the approval, the applicant decides that s/he does not wish to receive DPP assistance, s/he must submit a written statement rescinding the Customer Statement of Need.
If the applicant agrees to receive DPP in lieu of TANF, the SSR must obtain final approval from the unit supervisor and the section chief. The section chief should then process the DPP request within one business day of receipt and, if approved, forward it to the Central Control Unit.
If the DPP payment is authorized by the section chief, the TANF application must be denied and an entry must be made indicating that a DPP payment has been approved.
An applicant may not receive another DPP payment until 12 months have elapsed from the time of authorization of the prior payment. Additionally, the applicant can not be granted TANF assistance for a period of time following the DPP which equals the DPP divided by the maximum grant amount for the household size.
Denial of DPP Benefits 3.7.4
If DPP is denied at any level, the applicant must be informed verbally and the TANF application must be reinstated and processed. The case narrative must reflect that a discussion of this decision outcome was held with the applicant.
The SSR will screen all TANF applicants/recipients at initial application and each recertification. The SSR should also verbally review the assessment with the applicant/recipient and be particularly attentive to a customer's disclosure of any of the following acts (disclosure could occur at any time):
- physical acts that resulted in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual
- sexual abuse;
- sexual activity involving a dependent child;
- forced engagement in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities;
- threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse;
- emotional abuse; or
- neglect or deprivation of medical care.
When a client applies for TANF or comes in for TANF recertification, s/he must be informed and provided a notice about the right to request a domestic violence good cause waiver for TANF work requirements and/or child support cooperation requirements. The notice also informs the applicant/recipient that at any point in time s/he may receive referrals for appropriate services relevant to the issue of domestic violence. Further, his/her voluntary disclosure will not adversely affect or delay the receipt of aid, and any information disclosed will be confidential.
Each applicant/recipient presenting a history of domestic violence will be provided with instructions and a referral to professional counseling and/or supportive services. The referral form between the Department and the domestic violence services provider includes information about a domestic violence good cause waiver from the work requirement, and child support requirements.
TANF applicants/recipients referred to a work activity vendor will undergo an additional preliminary assessment conducted by the vendor which includes a discussion of domestic violence as a barrier to work. If an applicant/recipient discloses any of the above acts to the work activity vendor, the vendor will inform the Department of the disclosure and will inform the applicant/ recipient about the right to request a domestic violence good cause waiver from the work requirement. The Department will then refer the applicant/recipient to a domestic violence services provider as discussed above.
Decisions on granting or denying domestic violence waivers will be made within 15 business days. During that time, if the applicant/recipient is otherwise eligible for TANF, financial assistance shall not be delayed or denied. Since it may be necessary to waive work requirements to ensure the safety of the applicant/recipient, s/he will not be required to participate in work programs pending a decision on whether to grant a waiver.
For a discussion of domestic violence and child support requirements, see Chapter 2: Child Support Requirements in Part V.
