Eligibility Determination Process

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
65A-1.205: Eligibility Determination Process

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 37 No. 40, October 7, 2011 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

(1) The individual completes a Department application for assistance to the best of the individual’s ability using either the ACCESS Florida Application, CF-ES 2337, 11/2011 05/2010, incorporated by reference, or an ACCESS Florida Web Application (only accepted electronically), CF-ES 2353, 09/2011, incorporated by reference, and submits it. An application must include at least the individual’s name, address and signature to initiate the application process. An eligibility specialist determines the eligibility of each household member for public assistance. An applicant can withdraw the application at any time without affecting their right to reapply at any time.

(c) If the eligibility specialist determines during the interview or at any time during the application process that the applicant must provide additional information or verification, or that a member of the assistance group must comply with Child Support Enforcement or register for employment services, the eligibility specialist must give the applicant written notice to provide the requested information or to comply, allowing ten calendar days from request or the interview, whichever is later. For all programs, verifications are due ten calendar days from the date of written request or the interview, or 60 30 days from the date of application, whichever is later. In cases where the applicant must provide medical information, the return due date is 30 calendar days following the written request or the interview, or 60 30 days from the date of application, whichever is later. If the due date falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is the next working day. If the applicant does not provide required verifications or information by the deadline date the application will be denied, unless the applicant requests an extension or there are extenuating circumstances justifying an additional extension. The eligibility specialist makes the decision of whether to grant the request for extension. When the applicant provides all required information or verification, the eligibility specialist determines eligibility for the public assistance programs. If the eligibility criteria are met, benefits are authorized.

(6) The Department conducts data exchanges with other agencies and systems to obtain information on each applicant and recipient. It uses data exchanges to validate or identify social security numbers, verify the receipt of benefits from other sources, verify reported information, and obtain previously unreported information.

(a) The Department conducts data exchanges with the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Economic Opportunity Agency for Workforce Innovation, federal and state personnel and retirement systems, other states’ public assistance files and educational institutions.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: January 10, 2012, 10:30 a.m.

PLACE: 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 3, Room 455, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Cindy Keil. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Cindy Keil, ACCESS Florida Program Policy, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 3, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700, [e-mail], [phone].