Minnesota Administrative Rules

9500.1254 REFERRAL TO OTHER MAINTENANCE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.

Subpart 1.

Screening requirement.

The county agency must determine the potential eligibility of each general assistance applicant or recipient for other maintenance benefits as follows:

A.

The county agency must determine an applicant's potential eligibility for other maintenance benefits when application for general assistance is made.

B.

The county agency must determine a recipient's potential eligibility for other maintenance benefits at the recipient's semiannual redetermination of eligibility for general assistance. The county agency must also determine a recipient's potential eligibility for other maintenance benefits whenever it determines that changes in the recipient's circumstances, including eligibility for medical assistance, indicate potential eligibility for other maintenance benefits.

C.

If the county agency determines that the applicant or recipient is potentially eligible for other maintenance benefits, the county agency must document its determination on forms prescribed by the commissioner and must retain the forms in the county agency case record for the applicant or recipient.

Subp. 2.

Informing and referral requirement.

When the county agency determines that the applicant or recipient is potentially eligible for other maintenance benefits, the county agency shall refer the applicant or recipient to the other maintenance benefit program on a form prescribed by the commissioner by informing the applicant or recipient orally and in writing of the following:

A.

that the applicant or recipient must apply for the other maintenance benefit program, according to subpart 4, item A;

B.

that the applicant or recipient must execute an interim assistance agreement, according to subpart 4, item D;

C.

that the applicant or recipient must comply with all procedures necessary to determine eligibility or ineligibility for the other maintenance benefits according to subpart 4, item C;

D.

that the applicant or recipient must authorize the county agency and the qualified provider, when one is chosen, to exchange relevant data concerning the applicant's or recipient's eligibility with the other maintenance benefit program office, according to subpart 4, item B;

E.

the estimated amount of benefits the applicant or recipient may be eligible to receive under the other maintenance benefit program, if known;

F.

the address at which the applicant or recipient shall apply for the other maintenance benefit program;

G.

general instructions regarding how to apply for the other maintenance benefit program;

H.

that the applicant or recipient may elect to receive special services to assist in applying for SSI benefits;

I.

notice of the actions which the county agency must take, according to subpart 5, if the applicant or recipient fails to comply with the requirements under subpart 4, items A to D; and

J.

notice of the applicant's or recipient's right to appeal a determination of ineligibility for general assistance due to noncompliance with subpart 4, items A to D.

Subp. 3.

[Repealed, 32 SR 1437]

Subp. 4.

Requirements upon referral for other maintenance benefits.

When the county agency refers an applicant or recipient to another maintenance benefit program as provided under subpart 2, the applicant or recipient shall do the following:

A.

The applicant or recipient shall apply for those benefits within 30 days of the date of referral. If the recipient has not provided the county agency with verification of an application for those benefits within 30 days of the date of referral, the county agency must contact the other maintenance benefit program county office to determine if the recipient has applied for benefits. If the county office of the other maintenance benefit program verifies that the recipient has applied for those benefits, the recipient shall be deemed to have met the requirement of applying for other maintenance benefits. If the county office of the other maintenance benefit program verifies that the recipient has not applied for those benefits, the local agency shall mail or give the recipient notice of termination from general assistance according to subpart 5.

B.

The applicant or recipient shall, within 30 days of the date of referral, provide informed written consent and authorization for the county agency or a qualified provider, if one is chosen, to exchange data concerning the applicant or recipient with the other maintenance benefit program county office. The data exchanged must be relevant to a determination of the applicant's or recipient's eligibility or ineligibility for benefits from the other program.

For purposes of exchanging private or confidential data about a person for whom a qualified provider has contracted to provide special services, a qualified provider other than the county agency shall not be considered part of the welfare system under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46, subdivision 1.

If the county agency determines that the recipient has not given informed written consent and authorization for the county agency or a qualified provider to exchange data concerning eligibility or ineligibility for the other maintenance benefit program within the prescribed 30 days, the county agency shall mail or give the recipient notice of termination from general assistance according to subpart 5.

C.

A recipient shall comply with all procedures necessary to determine eligibility or ineligibility for the other maintenance benefit program.

If the county agency determines that the recipient has not complied with the procedures necessary to determine eligibility or ineligibility for other maintenance benefits, the county agency shall mail or give the recipient notice of termination from general assistance according to subpart 5.

D.

An applicant or recipient shall execute an interim assistance agreement with the county agency within 30 days of the date of referral.

If the recipient fails to execute an interim assistance agreement within the 30 days prescribed, the county agency shall mail or give the recipient notice of termination from general assistance according to subpart 5.

Subp. 5.

Ineligibility.

This subpart governs termination of general assistance eligibility for a recipient who fails, without good cause, to comply with the requirements of subpart 4.

A.

Upon determining that a recipient has failed, without good cause, to comply with the requirements of subpart 4, the county agency shall mail or give the recipient notification of termination from general assistance. The county agency shall hand deliver or mail the written notice to the recipient at least 30 days before reducing, suspending, or terminating the recipient's monthly general assistance payment. The notice must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and must:

(1)

list the requirements with which the county agency believes the recipient has not complied and inform the recipient that the recipient must comply with the requirements to avoid or end a period of ineligibility;

(2)

inform the recipient that the recipient will be terminated from general assistance if the recipient fails to comply with the listed requirements, specify the date that the recipient's general assistance will be terminated if the recipient does not comply, and explain the recipient's right to appeal the action according to subpart 6;

(3)

offer assistance to resolve the circumstances or concerns which prevent the recipient from complying with the requirements of subpart 4; and

(4)

inform the recipient of the continued availability of special services.

B.

If the recipient complies with the requirements specified in the notice in item A before the termination date stated in the notice, a period of ineligibility must not be imposed.

C.

A recipient who fails to comply with the requirements specified in the notice in item A before the termination date stated in the notice is ineligible for general assistance. The period of ineligibility begins on the date specified in the notice and continues until the person fulfills the requirements of subpart 4. The period of ineligibility always begins on the first day of a calendar month. If the ineligible person subsequently applies for general assistance, the application must be denied unless the requirements of subpart 4 have been met.

D.

If the person is determined to be ineligible under item C, the assistance standard applicable to the person's assistance unit must be based on the number of remaining eligible members of the assistance unit.

Subp. 6.

Appeals.

A recipient to whom the county agency has given or mailed a notice of termination according to subpart 5 may appeal the determination by submitting a written request for a hearing according to Minnesota Statutes, section 256.045. If the recipient files a written request for an appeal on or before the first day of the period of ineligibility under subpart 5, item C, the recipient shall continue to receive general assistance while the appeal is pending, provided that the recipient is otherwise eligible for general assistance.

Subp. 7.

Reimbursement for interim assistance.

A county agency must seek reimbursement for the interim assistance provided to a person who has executed an interim assistance agreement under subpart 4, item D, when the person receives a retroactive payment of other maintenance benefits unless reimbursement is prohibited under federal or state law.

The county agency must request reimbursement for interim assistance from the person receiving other retroactive maintenance benefits, except for SSI, or in those instances where the state or county agency has rights of subrogation under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.03. If a request for reimbursement under this subpart is denied, the county agency may institute a civil action to recover the interim assistance based on the interim assistance agreement. The county agency must take no action other than a civil action to recover the interim assistance.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 14.388; 256D.01; 256D.04; 256D.051; 256D.06; 256D.08; 256D.09; 256D.111

History:

10 SR 1715; 15 SR 1842; 32 SR 1437

Published Electronically:

October 16, 2013