1208 POWER Payment Process
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POWER - ARW, Chapt. 1, Section 9 |
A. Applicant - No Voluntary Quit
Inform the applicant of the Pay-After-Performance requirements, which must be met before a monthly performance payment can be authorized and of the penalties for noncompliance and begin payment as follows unless a voluntary quit is involved.
1. Authorize the performance payment as an immediate issuance at the end of the month of application when the Pay-After-Performance requirements were met.
2. Authorize an immediate issuance on the first of the month following the month of application when the Pay-After-Performance requirements were met in the month of application. In the month of application only: The assessed person must comply from the date of application until the end of that month to receive payment for the application month and for the next month. For the 3rd payment, the assessed person must comply from the 15th through the 14th of the month as the case is now ongoing. Application is received July 5. The assessed person must comply from July 5 through July 31 to receive a July and August payment. The client must also comply from July 15 through August 14 to receive September payment. When a person applies after the 15th of the month, they must comply from that date until the end of the month for the 1st and 2nd months’ payments and also from the date of application until the 14th of the following month to receive the 3rd payment. For example: The person applied July 21. She must comply July 21-July 31 for July and August payments and also July 21 through August 14 for a payment on September 1.
3. Authorize the following immediately upon notification any assistance unit member did not meet the Pay-After-Performance requirements after signing the IRCU:
a. The $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding noncompliance performance periods and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected; OR
b. Denial if the client has requested withdrawal of the application or closure but document the case record of the performance periods affected and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected if reapplication is made.
4. Deny the application immediately when the family refuses during the interview to cooperate with the Pay-After-Performance requirements.
B. Applicant - Voluntary Quit
1. Do not authorize a performance payment for the assistance unit until compliance has occurred for 30 calendar days and begin payment with the first of the month following the date of application if a voluntary quit or voluntary reduction in work effort has occurred without good cause within 60 calendar days prior to the date of application.
2. Inform the work program action center 30 calendar days of cooperation is required due to the voluntary quit.
C. Adding an Individual(s) to an Ongoing Case
1. Authorize the performance payment as follows when adding an individual to an ongoing payment:
a. For the first of the following month when the individual is exempt from the Pay-After-Performance requirements and the assistance unit has complied with the requirements.
b. When the individual is mandatory for the Pay-After-Performance requirements:
(1) For the first of the month following the month of application when the application was received prior to the 15th and the Pay-After-Performance requirements were met from the date of application through the 14th (or last working day prior to the 14th); or
(2) As an immediate issuance on the first of the month following the month of application when the application was received on or after the 15th and the Pay-After-Performance requirements were met from the 15th to the end of the month of application.
2. Authorize the $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding performance period when adding a mandatory individual who fails or refuses to comply with the Pay-After-Performance provisions.
D. Nonpayment for Failure to Comply with Work Requirements
1. See Attachment E for procedures to be performed by the work program action center;
2. Understand failure of a mandatory job seeker to keep appointments or comply with any of the work program performance requirements will result in the family’s POWER performance payment not being issued for the corresponding performance payment month.
3. Deny the application when a member of the assistance unit, during the interview with the Benefit Specialist, refuses to sign the IRCU and cooperate with the work program performance requirements.
4. Acknowledge the Benefit Specialist will use the following process when case circumstances indicate or when notified by the CM of noncooperation by a family member:
a. Generate immediately an EPICS notice of adverse action (see Tables to the caretaker relative and explain in the notice:
(1) The performance payment will be authorized in the $1 nonpayment status when cooperation has not occurred or ceases and good cause for failure to comply is not approved;
(2) Cooperation must begin by the 15th of the month and continue through the 14th of the following month for a performance payment to be received at the end of the month.
b. Recognize the work program action center will immediately advise the Benefit Specialist the client has cooperated and the date of cooperation;
c. Authorize the following immediately upon notification any assistance unit member did not comply after signing the IRCU:
(1) The $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding noncompliance performance periods and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected; and
(2) Enter the “XW” code and appropriate unearned income amount on UNIN; OR
(3) Denial if the client has requested withdrawal of the application or closure but document the case record of the performance periods affected and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected if reapplication is made.
d. Terminate the POWER performance payment when there is a loss of contact for a full performance period and cooperation does not occur or closure is not requested but apply the performance penalty for the corresponding performance periods;
e. Generate all appropriate notices of adverse action (see Tables) applying to the termination and assure the A-710 notice states what months will be in the nonpayment status due to the noncompliance;
f. Allow the assistance unit to reapply for POWER after termination and cooperate at reapplication but apply the $1 nonpayment status to any month affected by noncompliance during a corresponding performance period.
5. Realize an overpayment does not exist if the CM fails to report noncompliance within the designated time frames; or
6. Realize an overpayment does exist if the CM reports noncompliance timely but the Benefit Specialist fails to take the appropriate action timely.
7. DO NOT authorize a performance payment when any family member voluntarily quit a job during the corresponding performance period; and
a. The employment was for at least 20 hours per week or provided weekly earnings equivalent to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours; and
b. The quit was without good cause per the good cause reasons in Section 401;
c. Require verification of the good cause reason; and
d. Document the reason good cause was or was not allowed in the case record.
E. Nonpayment for Failure to Comply with Child Support Requirements
1. See Attachment B for procedures to be performed by the CSA;
2. Understand failure of the assistance unit to comply with any of the child support performance requirements will result in the family’s POWER performance payment not being issued for the corresponding performance payment month;
3. Deny the application when a member of the assistance unit, during the interview with the Benefit Specialist, refuses to cooperate with the following child support performance requirements:
a. Refusal to sign the Assignment of Rights to Support on the application (DFS 100);
b. Refusal to sign the IRCU;
c. Refusal to meet with CSA to fully and accurately complete the Report of Non-Custodial Parent (DFS 543) and provide supporting documents.
4. Deny or terminate the case when the child support good cause claim is denied by DFS-SO and the application is withdrawn or case closure is requested immediately;
5 Deny the application when the child support good cause evidence is not received within 20 days of signing the DFS-543 and the application is withdrawn;
6. Authorize the $1 nonpayment status when evidence is not received within 20 days of signing of the DFS 543 and cooperation has not begun; or
7. Authorize the $1 nonpayment status when the good cause claim is denied by DFS-SO and the applicant/recipient refuses to cooperate or withdraw the application;
8. Authorize the $1 nonpayment status when the assistance unit is not cooperating with the child support performance requirements, including retention of child support payments.
9. Acknowledge the Benefit Specialist will use the following process when case circumstances indicate or when notified by the CSA of noncooperation by a family member:
a. Generate immediately an EPICS notice of adverse action (see Tables) to the caretaker relative and explain in the notice:
(1) The performance payment will be authorized in the $1 nonpayment status when cooperation has not occurred or ceases and good cause for failure to comply is not approved;
(2) Cooperation must begin by the 15th of the month and continue through the 14th of the following month for a performance payment to be received at the end of the month.
b. Recognize the CSA will immediately advise the worker the client has cooperated and the date of cooperation;
c. Authorize the following immediately upon notification any assistance unit member is in noncompliance after signing the IRCU:
(1) The $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding noncompliance performance periods and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected; and
(2) Enter the “XC” code and appropriate unearned income amount on UNIN; OR
(3) Denial if the client has requested withdrawal of the application or closure but document the case record of the performance periods affected and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected if reapplication is made.
d. Terminate the POWER performance payment when there is a loss of contact for a full performance period and cooperation does not occur or closure is not requested but apply the performance penalty for the corresponding performance periods;
e. Generate all appropriate notices of adverse action (see Tables) applying to the termination and assure the A-710 notice states what months will be in the nonpayment status due to the noncompliance;
f. Allow the assistance unit to reapply for POWER after termination and cooperate with child support at reapplication but apply the $1 nonpayment status to any month affected by noncompliance during a corresponding performance period.
10. Realize an overpayment does not exist if the CSA fails to report noncompliance within the designated time frames; or
11. Realize an overpayment does exist if the CSA reports noncompliance timely but the Benefit Specialist fails to take the appropriate action timely.
F. Nonpayment for Failure to Comply with Eligibility Requirements
1. Understand failure of the assistance unit to comply with any of the eligibility factors, including timely reporting, will result in the family’s POWER performance payment not being issued for the corresponding performance payment month.
a. Generate immediately the appropriate EPICS notice of adverse action (see Tables) to the caretaker relative;
(1) Explain performance payments will be authorized in the $1 nonpayment status if eligibility cannot be determined.
(2) Explain eligibility requirements must be met by the 15th of the month and continue through the 14th of the following month for a performance payment to be received at the end of the month.
b. Authorize the following immediately when eligibility cannot be determined as the assistance unit did not meet the Pay-After-Performance requirements:
(1) The $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding noncompliance performance periods and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected; and
(2) Enter the “XO” code and the appropriate unearned income amount on UNIN; OR
(3) Denial if the client has requested withdrawal of the application or closure but document the case record of the performance periods affected and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected if reapplication is made.
c. Terminate the POWER performance payment when there is a loss of contact for a full performance period and cooperation does not occur or closure is not requested but apply the performance penalty for the corresponding performance periods.
d. Generate all appropriate notices (see Tables) applying to the termination and assure the A-710 notice states what months will be in the nonpayment status due to the noncompliance.
e. Allow the assistance unit to reapply for POWER after termination and cooperate with the eligibility factor at reapplication but apply the $1 nonpayment status to any month affected by noncompliance during a corresponding performance period.
2. Deny the application when a member of the assistance unit, during the interview with the Benefit Specialist, refuses to provide information needed to determine eligibility for POWER.
3. Realize an overpayment does exist if the Benefit Specialist fails to take the appropriate action timely.
G. Payment Due to Compliance and Increased Child Support -Earnings Recipient
Find the case eligible for the amount of the prior month's payment, or adjust the payment when there is an additional change in circumstances, for the first month of ineligibility due to an increase in prospective child support when:
1. The total income is equal to or exceeds the income limit and the five-year benefit limit will not be exceeded;
2. The assistance unit has continuously received a POWER performance payment for two or more full payment months; and
3. Compliance has occurred in the corresponding performance period.
H. Payment Due to Compliance and Increased Earnings - Recipient
1. Allow the recipient to choose between 2. and 3. and explain the time to be counted toward the five year benefit limit and the advantage of saving option 3. for a future situation since it is a one-time-only option:
2. Find the case eligible for the amount of the prior month's payment, or adjust the payment when there is an additional change in circumstances, for the first month of ineligibility due to an increase in earned income, and the five year benefit limit will not be exceeded, when:
a. The total income is equal to or exceeds the income limit; and
b. The assistance unit has continuously received a POWER performance payment for two or more full payment months; and
c. Compliance has occurred in the corresponding performance period.
3. Determine if the assistance unit is eligible for the earned income incentive payment but not beyond the five-year benefit limit:
a. Acknowledge the assistance unit will be eligible for the one-time-only earned income incentive payment when:
(1) The assistance unit has continuously received a POWER payment for two or more full payment months;
(2) The family member has entered new employment or has an increase in earnings;
(3) The assistance unit has not previously received the earned income incentive payment, has not previously been penalized because of noncompliance with the POWER performance requirements or disqualified because of other program restrictions or violations;
(4) The employment is not temporary.
b. Realize the earned income incentive payment will be available for up to six consecutive months when compliance continues;
c. Count the six consecutive months whether or not the earned income incentive payment continues unless the income is reduced or ceases due to no fault of the family member and the assistance unit becomes eligible for POWER;
d. Allow any remaining earned income incentive payment months if the earned income is reduced or ceases due to no fault of the family member if the individual again becomes ineligible due to earned income;
e. Base the amount of the earned income incentive payment on 50% of the family’s maximum benefit level for the assistance unit size as long as the family member remains employed and ineligible for POWER;
f. Adjust the payment when one or more of the following changes occur:
(1) A member leaves or enters the assistance unit;
(2) The assistance unit moves from shelter included to shelter supplied or vice versa.
g. Terminate the payment if the only eligible child leaves the assistance unit;
h. Terminate the incentive payment if noncompliance occurs during the six-month incentive period:
(1) Authorize the $1 nonpayment status for the corresponding noncompliance performance period and generate the A-710 noncompliance notice stating what months will be affected; and
(2) Require compliance to occur prior to authorization of the corresponding performance payment; and
(3) Realize the six-month incentive period has been utilized and not available again.
i. Realize ineligibility for the earned income incentive payment due to not meeting the above criteria is not subject to an administrative hearing or judicial review (W.S. 42-2-103).
I. EPICS Coding:
1. Take the following actions when the assistance unit is eligible for the prior month's performance payment amount:
a. Generate EPICS notice A406 or A428 when it is due to earned income or A407 or A427 when it is due to child support to allow the assistance unit the choice of closure or the one additional month.
b. Enter the amount of the prior month's income on UNIN and/or EAIN using "GR" as the type code so the income will be used for the POWER performance payment. (Code the actual prospective income as "GN" so it will not be used for POWER but will be used for SNAP.); and
c. Generate the appropriate EPICS notice of adverse action (see Tables) to inform the assistance unit of the action taken and the termination which will occur for the second month; and
d. DOCUMENT the case record stating why the generic codes were used; and
e. Find the case ineligible for the second month of ineligibility when the anticipated income, including child support, is equal to or exceeds the income limit.
2. Take the following actions when the assistance unit is eligible for the earned income incentive payment:
a. Generate EPICS notice A406 or A428 to allow the assistance unit the choice of closure or the six month earned income incentive payment;
b. Enter one half of the maximum benefit level, plus the appropriate disregard amount, on EAIN using "II" as the income type code so the income will be used for the POWER performance payment. (Code the actual prospective income as "GN" so it will not be used for POWER but will be used for SNAP.); and
c. Generate the appropriate EPICS notice of adverse action (see Tables) to inform the assistance unit of the action taken and when termination will occur; and
3. DOCUMENT the case record stating why the generic codes were used.
J. Exit/Six Month Follow-Up Survey – See section 1316 L. for instructions on completing the exit interview when a POWER case is terminated for any reason.