Application Activities

(A) Completion of Interviews. The worker is responsible for the completion of the application interview form, which is then signed by the applicant. The worker is responsible for assuring that the information recorded accurately represents what the applicant states about his or her circumstances. (B) Identification of the Applicant. The worker must establish the identity of the applicant. Proof of identity may be a Social Security number, driver’s license, voter registration card, military service papers, marriage license, employment papers or any of the items provided in 106 CMR 703.220: TAFDC Dependent Child: Younger than 18 Years Old or 106 CMR 703.810: EAEDC Identification of the Applicant used in the verification of age. (C) Development of Other Benefits. The worker must review any other benefits such as Social Security or SSI/SSP the applicant or members of the assistance unit may be entitled. See 106 CMR 702.700. (D) Explanation of Rights and Responsibilities. The applicant must be informed at the time of application of his or her rights and responsibilities associated with the program for which he or she is applying. See 106 CMR 701.300: Rights of Applicants and Clients, and 106 CMR 701.400: Responsibilities of Applicants and Clients. (E) Related Benefits and Services. The worker must inform the applicant that eligibility for TAFDC or EAEDC benefits will confer eligibility for MassHealth as specified in the regulations of the Division of Medical Assistance; that he or she may choose to apply for SNAP benefits as part of the application and that SNAP eligibility will be determined according to SNAP eligibility criteria; and that if he or she is found ineligible for TAFDC or EAEDC he or she may make a separate application for MassHealth, and/or SNAP benefits. The worker must make any necessary referrals for other benefits or services, such as child care. See 106 CMR 705: Related Benefits. (F) Immediate Needs. At the intake interview, or within 24 hours of the filing of the application if the intake interview cannot be held immediately, the worker must ask the applicant if he or she is in immediate need of food, shelter (including rent, fuel and utilities) or medical care. If so, and the applicant appears to be eligible based on the information available, the worker shall inform the applicant of the option to receive an advance on the cash benefits: (1) An applicant has the option to receive: (a) a shelter voucher; (b) a food voucher, if he or she appears to be ineligible for SNAP benefits; (c) expedited SNAP benefits through EBT if he or she appears to be eligible for SNAP benefits; and/or (d) a temporary MassHealth card, if needed. (2) If any of the above is requested, and the applicant appears to be eligible, the worker shall authorize: (a) the food and/or shelter vouchers immediately; (b) expedited SNAP benefits through an EBT transaction immediately; and/or (c) the Temporary MassHealth card within one working day of the request. The amounts to be authorized for food and shelter vouchers are in the table below: RENT OR MORTGAGE Unheated Facility $102.00 Heated Facility 126.30 FUEL 27.90 UTILITIES 18.60 FOOD (Individual) 41.80 (G) Pathways to Self-sufficiency Program (PATH) for TAFDC Applicants. (1) TAFDC applicants 18 years of age or older shall participate in an intake and employment assessment process which may result in referrals to appropriate employment or education/training opportunities. The Department shall deny applications for either the entire assistance unit or the grantee if the applicant fails to participate in PATH without good cause. (2) Under PATH, certain TAFDC applicants may also be subject to a Work Ready Job Diversion Program: (a) Applicants 18 years of age or older who are determined by the Department to have the necessary job skills and experience must participate in a Work Ready Job Diversion Program. (b) Applicants will be exempted from the Work Ready Job Diversion Program if they will be exempt from the work program (See 106 CMR 703.150: TAFDC Work Program) or have requested a disability exemption (See 106 CMR 703.100: TAFDC Exemptions from Time-limited Benefits and Reduced Need and Payment Standards). (c) Applicants subject to the Work Ready Job Diversion Program must provide evidence of three job search contacts. Applicants must accept referrals to any appropriate Department-identified jobs. (d) If no evidence of participation in the Work Ready Job Diversion Program is provided prior to day 30 of the application, the TAFDC application for the entire assistance unit will be denied. If the case is approved but there is no further participation or insufficient participation in the Program by the 60th day after application, the entire case will be terminated. (3) Under PATH, certain TAFDC applicants may also be subject to the Initial Job Search Program: (a) Applicants who are 18 years of age or older and not provided with a Work Ready Job Diversion referral under 106 CMR 702.125(G)(3), and who will not be exempt from the Work Program (See 106 CMR 703.150: TAFDC Work Program) or have a pending request for an exemption must provide evidence of job search in the 60-day period from the date of application. (b) Applicants subject to the Initial Job Search Program must provide evidence of three job search contacts. The frequency of reporting of such contacts will be determined by the Department. (c) If no evidence of Initial Job Search contacts are provided prior to day 30 of the application, the TAFDC application will be denied for the grantee and any other adult subject to the requirement. If otherwise eligible, the remainder of the assistance unit will be approved. If contacts are made by day 30, and the assistance unit is otherwise found eligible for TAFDC, the entire case will be approved. If the entire case is approved but there are no further contacts or insufficient contacts made by the 60th day after application, the grantee and any other adult subject to the requirement will be terminated. (d) Any job search under PATH done on-line must be done on a website approved by the Department. (4) The following TAFDC applicants do not have to participate in the Work Ready Job Diversion Program or the Initial Job Search Program: (a) Those attending a secondary school full time; (b) Those already participating in an education or training activity; and (c) Those participating in an inpatient substance abuse treatment program licensed or approved by the Department of Public Health. (5) Good cause for not meeting PATH requirements may be granted based on an individual applicant’s circumstances for reasons described in 106 CMR 701.380: Good Cause Criteria or if the applicant is pursuing a domestic violence waiver from work requirements in accordance with 106 CMR 703.110: TAFDC Good Cause Waivers Due to Domestic Violence. If an applicant states that he or she cannot participate due to domestic violence, the applicant must be immediately referred to a Department domestic violence specialist for assistance and verification of the circumstance. NON-TEXT PAGE (H) Verification of Information. The worker shall require verification of the applicable eligibility factors for which verification is currently required. See 106 CMR 702.300 and 106 CMR 702.310.