Criteria for Hardship Extensions and Exemptions to Cash Assistance Time Limit

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
65A-4.201: Criteria for Hardship Extensions and Exemptions to Cash Assistance Time Limit

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. 38 No. 20, May 18, 2012 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

(1) Hardship Extension and Exemption Determinations. An extension or exemption from the time limit for receipt of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) cannot be authorized until a hardship review, using the Hardship Extension Review, CF-ES 2082, 06/2012 01/2007, incorporated by reference, is completed by the Department and the Regional Workforce Board (RWB) or its designee, and a favorable decision is made about the existence of a hardship. A recommendation, if appropriately made, and the decision about hardship eligibility will be based on the criteria established in this rule and Section 414.105, F.S.

(11) Hearing Rrights. Participants whose cash assistance is being terminated because they have reached their lifetime limit and have been denied a hardship extension or exemption can request a fair hearing in accordance with the Department’s hearing procedures in Chapter 65-2, F.A.C. Unless waived, cash assistance will may be continued or reinstated, in accordance with 7 C.F.R § 273.15(k), when the request for a hearing is received by the end of the last day of the month prior to the effective date of the adverse action indicated on the notice. The notice allows at least ten days for the request. If the last day of the month falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is the next business day. The assistance group must repay cash assistance if the hearing decision is in favor of the Department.