1221 Confidentiality
of Information Concerning Applicants or Recipients - Information
concerning applicants or recipients (present and past) is confidential
and may not be disclosed to another DCF employee, the client, or any other
nonagency personnel except as set forth in this section.
Information concerning clients or providers who have been referred for
investigation is confidential and may not be released unless the Fraud
Unit or the prosecuting attorney to whom the case has been referred for
legal action authorizes such disclosure.
1222 Disclosure of Confidential
Information - The agency may disclose confidential information
when the purpose of such disclosure is directly related to: (1) the administration
of the DCF program; (2) an investigation, prosecution, or criminal or
civil proceeding conducted in connection with the administration of the
DCF program or the SSI program; or (3) the administration of any federal
or federally assisted program which provides assistance (in cash or in
kind) or services directly to individuals on the basis of need. For exceptions
see 1225 and 1226.
Throughout this material related to confidentiality of case records, the
term TANF includes Work Program, LIEAP, Summer
EBT and GPCG. In addition, the term DCF employee includes contracted
employees.
1223 Nature of Information
to be Safeguarded - The confidential nature of the following
information must be safeguarded:
Information contained in applications,
reports of investigations, reports of medical examinations, correspondence,
and other records concerning the condition or circumstances of any
person for whom or about whom information is obtained, and including
all such information whether or not it is recorded; and
Records of agency evaluations of such information. General information, not identified with particular individuals, such as total expenditures made, number of recipients, and other statistical information and social data contained in general studies, reports, or surveys of welfare problems, does not fall within the class of material to be safeguarded.