The CAO must review the SAR form to make sure it is timely and complete. If the CAO tracks a SAR form as complete and timely by the CAO SAR Form Deadline, benefits must continue on a regular schedule.
If the CAO tracks the SAR form as incomplete or does not track it, the system generates an L/IN and automatically suspends the budget.
If the SAR form is timely and complete, the CAO must do the following:
Track the SAR form as complete by the last day for the CAO SAR Form Deadline in order to avoid suspension.
If the SAR form is received on or before the Extended Due Date, consider the SAR form timely as defined in Section 171.31. Determine continued eligibility and benefit amount based on the information shown on the SAR form.
Contact the client to resolve the issue if the SAR form is timely and complete but the information is incorrect or inconsistent with that given to or known by the CAO. Record the results of the contact in the case record.
Take action, such as reinstatement of suspended benefits, grant change, or termination based on the information provided.
Mail a Confirming Notice telling the client the reason for the action and explaining that the action is based on the information reported on the SAR form.
NOTE: The client must receive the Confirming Notice no later than the effective date of the change.
Return all verification materials to the client.
Reminder: If income or circumstances reported on the SAR form affect other benefits such as SNAP or Medical Assistance (MA), review reported changes and take necessary action.
The CFSR system will suspend benefits when the CAO either tracks the SAR form as incomplete or does not track the SAR form because the client did not submit it timely. The system will automatically send the client an L/IN. If a client submits a completed SAR form or L/IN to the CAO by the Extended Due Date, eligibility and benefit amount are based on the information provided. Benefits are suspended but may be reinstated without a new application if the CAO receives the SAR form on or before the Extended Due Date.
If a client fails to submit a complete SAR form or L/IN by the Extended Due Date, the CAO must stop benefits. A client who wants to receive benefits must reapply unless good cause is established.
If good cause is established within 30 days, reopen the budget for the payment month without a new application.
If the CAO receives the SAR form or L/IN after the Extended Due Date but before termination, good cause must be established.
Take action such as grant change or termination based on the information given.
Promptly mail a Confirming Notice to tell the client of any action taken, such as reinstatement, termination, or change. The notice must include the basis for the action and be based on information reported on the SAR form.
Return all verification materials to the client.
Reminder: If income or circumstances reported on the SAR form affect other benefits such as SNAP or Medical Assistance, take necessary action.
When a SAR form is received before the SAR form Due Date but not all questions are answered completely or verification is not attached, the CAO must do the following:
Track the SAR form as incomplete before the CAO SAR Form Deadline. Do not hold it until the missing information is received.
NOTE: If the CAO tracks the SAR form as incomplete and the client completes it before the suspension deadline, it can be tracked as complete before the suspension date.
Contact the client to clarify information if time allows. The system will automatically mail the L/IN if information is not received and tracked by the SAR form Due Date.
If the client submits a completed SAR form or L/IN before the Extended Due Date, determine continued eligibility and benefit amount based on the information given.
If the information is received after the Extended Due Date and the case is still in suspension, determine good cause.
Take action, such as grant change or termination, based on the information provided.
Promptly mail a Confirming Notice to tell the client of any action taken, such as opening, termination, or change. The notice must include the basis for the action and be based on information reported on the SAR form.
Reminder: If income or circumstances reported on the SAR form affect other benefits such as SNAP or Medical Assistance, take necessary action.
When the CAO receives a SAR form after the SAR Form Due Date and not all questions are answered or verification is not attached, the CAO must not track the SAR form, but it must do the following:
NOTE: The L/IN that is generated will indicate only that the SAR form was not received. The client may not be aware that it was also incomplete.
Determine continued eligibility and benefit amount based on the information provided if the client submits either a complete SAR form or a complete L/IN by the Extended Due Date.
Determine good cause if the SAR form or L/IN is returned after the Extended Due Date and the case is in suspension.
Promptly mail a Confirming Notice to tell the client of any action taken, such as reinstatement, termination, or change. The notice must include the basis for the action and be based on information reported on the SAR form.
Return all verification materials to the client.
Reinstate the budget if the client provides a SAR form or L/IN and good cause is established.
Reminder: If income or circumstances reported on the SAR form affect other benefits such as SNAP or MA, take necessary action.
Reissued September 27, 2005, replacing February 11, 2005; Reviewed January 31, 2012