2120 Cooperation - The client must cooperate with all program requirements. In addition, the client (including an ineligible caretaker for cash) shall cooperate with the agency in the establishment of eligibility including providing necessary information, reporting changes, as required, cooperating in the application process, cooperating in quality assurance reviews, and, for cash, cooperating in obtaining resources.
2121 Supplying Information - The client (or ineligible caretaker) shall supply information essential to the establishment of eligibility; give written permission on prescribed forms for release of information regarding resources when needed; and report changes in circumstances in accordance with 9121 or 9122 as appropriate. In addition, the completion of the Self-Assessment (E-6) and the online Employment Services orientation tutorial are conditions of eligibility for TANF assistance and need to be completed for all mandatory adults who are eligible for TANF Assistance and receive TANF benefits for themselves. Confirmation of the completed self-assessment and orientation tutorial must be reported to the DCF office prior to TANF approval. Also see also Section 3130.
The “Acknowledgement of TANF Suspicion-based Drug Testing Policy (TANF ONLY)” must be signed at application or review prior to processing the application. This form is required to be signed when an adult on the TANF case is part of the mandatory filing unit. Failure to sign the Acknowledgement will result in ineligibility for TANF for the mandatory filing unit.
Failure to provide information necessary to determine eligibility shall result in ineligibility. However, the agency may not terminate or deny assistance solely because the client or caretaker refuses to cooperate with or consent to a home visit. A case which has been closed for failure to provide information is to be reinstated when the required information is provided by the end of the month following the effective date of closure and all other eligibility requirements are met. Refer to 1423.
2122 Application and Review Process - To determine eligibility, the application form must be completed and signed, if applicable, a face-to-face interview conducted per 1412.1, and certain information on the application must be verified. If denied or terminated for refusal to cooperate, the client may reapply but shall not be determined eligible until he or she cooperates.
The client shall also be determined ineligible if he or she refuses to cooperate in any subsequent review of its eligibility, including reviews generated by reported changes and recertification.
2123 Cooperation with Quality Assurance - The client must cooperate in any Quality Assurance review. Failure to cooperate renders the household ineligible for food assistance, child care benefits and the entire assistance plan ineligible for TANF. However, current eligibility is affected only when the program reviewed: 1) is the same as the assistance currently being provided or applied for (e.g., TANF reviewed and there is current receipt of TANF), or 2) affects eligibility for the current program (e.g., TANF reviewed and eligibility affects the 3 to 6 months receipt of TANF requirement for current TransMed eligibility). If assistance is terminated for refusal to cooperate, a new application may be filed but shall not be determined eligible until cooperation with the quality assurance review occurs. The case can also be reinstated with no proration of benefits, if the household cooperates in the month following the month of closure. See 1423.
2123.1 Specific Provisions for Food Assistance - For food assistance, both the state and federal quality assurance annual review period ends on September 30 of each year.
If a household member who refuses to cooperate with federal or state quality control leaves the household, the penalty must follow the person who refused to cooperate. Refer to 4212.1(6).
2124 Potential Resources (Not Applicable to the Food Assistance and Child Care Programs) - See Policy Memo #99-10-03 re: "Potential Resources".
Potential Resources (Not Applicable to the Food Assistance and Child Care Programs) - For cash purposes, a client shall cooperate with the agency to obtain potential resources. The client is required to take action to:
obtain any resources due such client with respect to whom assistance is claimed; and
obtain any income due such client with respect to whom assistance is claimed.
2124.1 Requirements - The client is required to take any necessary action to acquire potential resources. In many instances, legal action may be necessary. In general, any source must be considered. It is the responsibility of the client to demonstrate all required actions have been taken to make the resource available. The special situations listed below are applicable:
For TANF, a pregnant woman is not required to pursue and cooperate with UC in the third trimester of pregnancy. In either situation cooperation is required when the postpartum period as defined in KFMAM expires.
Persons may not be rendered ineligible for failure to apply for or receive SSI benefits unless qualifying for TANF per 2181.
2124.2 Failure to Comply - Failure to meet these requirements without good cause shall:
For cash assistance, render the mandatory filing unit of which the potential beneficiary of the resource is a member ineligible for assistance; or
If the client is cooperating in obtaining the identified potential resource, assistance shall continue.
Note: If the client does not cooperate in obtaining medical coverage, the Work Program case manager will determine if a subsequent Work Program failure has occurred and a Work Program penalty should be established.