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. 36 No. 13, April 2, 2010 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, 05/2010 03/2010, incorporated by reference, or an ACCESS Florida Web Application (only accepted electronically), CF-ES 2353, 03/2008, incorporated by reference in Rule 65A-1.400, F.A.C., 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 to furnish the requested information or to comply. For all programs, verifications are due ten calendar days from the date of written request or the interview, or 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 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.

(3) The Department conducts phone or face-to-face interviews with applicants/recipients or their authorized/designated representatives when required for the application or complete eligibility review process. The Department conducts face-to-face interviews upon request in the ACCESS Florida office, the applicant’s/recipient’s home, or other agreed upon location. The applicant/recipient or their authorized/designated representative must keep the interview appointment or reschedule the missed appointment. The Department mails a notice of missed interview to food stamp households who miss an interview.

(8) The following forms, incorporated by reference, can be used in the eligibility determination process: Verification of Employment/Loss of Income, CF-ES 2620, 05/2010 03/2009; Verification of Dependent Care Expenses, CF-ES 2621, 03/2010; Verification of Shelter Expenses, CF-ES 2622, 03/2010; School Verification, CF-ES 2623, 10/2005; and Work Calendar, CF-ES 3007, 10/2005. Copies of materials incorporated by reference are available from the ACCESS Florida Headquarters Office, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 or on the Department’s web site: at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/dcfforms/Search/DCFFormSearch.aspx. The CF-ES 2353 is available on the Department’s web site at http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

Rulemaking Authority 409.919, 414.095, 414.45 FS. Law Implemented 409.903, 409.904, 409.919, 410.033, 414.045, 414.095, 414.31, 414.41 FS. History–New 4-9-92, Amended 11-22-93, 8-3-94, Formerly 10C-1.205, Amended 11-30-98, 9-27-00, 7-29-01, 9-12-04, 9-11-08,________.