Do not require a new application (paper or electronic) when benefits are closed and the person reapplies within 60 days of the date of benefits closure. A person may reapply by requesting that benefits be reopened (reviewed for eligibility), asking for a new application, and/or by submitting required documents.
NOTE: A household must submit a new application if benefits were closed because the household was over income or resource limits, unless the case was closed without verification of income and resources and the household reapplies within 60 days and provides proof that they were within income or resource limits. See [Section 179.4].
When a person reapplies within 60 days of benefits closure, reconsider the case (review for eligibility) using the paperwork and information in the case record on the date benefits were closed plus any paperwork or information the person submitted after benefits were closed and information available through electronic data sources. If eligible, open benefits effective the date that all eligibility factors were verified.
NOTE: Reopening the case is a continuation of eligibility and not an application. The person is not required to appear for a face-to-face interview or sign forms that are generally required in an application interview.
The CAO should use discretion when determining whether a face-to-face interview is needed and consider the following:
The reason(s) for closing.
Changes that occurred since the case was closed.
The period of time that has gone by since the closing.
Whether required forms have been signed or need to be updated.
The CAO must review all eligibility factors, including the AMR, and update or complete a new AMR as necessary. The CAO should explain the person's rights and responsibilities and authorize Cash Assistance effective the date eligibility is established.
NOTE: An automated support referral to DRS must be completed as part of the reopening process if support action is required for benefits to continue. Any prior referral would have been terminated when the Cash Assistance benefits closed.
When reopening Cash Assistance benefits, the renewal date should stay the same as previously established in eCIS.
Example: Mrs. B.’s Cash Assistance renewal date was December 1, 2010. In September, mail sent to Mrs. B. was returned to the CAO. An Advance Notice was sent because Mrs. B.'s whereabouts were unknown, and her case was closed effective the day before the second payment date for October—October 15, 2010. Mrs. B. contacts the CAO on October 16 to report that mail was not received because her name was not properly listed on the apartment building mail box. There are no other changes reported. Mrs. B. requests that her case be reopened. She will provide the necessary verification by October 19. She provides proof of address on October 19. The CAO reopens the case effective that date. Since the system has set the renewal date to October 19, 2011, the caseworker must manually reset the date back to the original December 1, 2010, renewal date. Batch processing requires a specific number of days to post future renewal dates. The worker needs to set a system or calendar alert as a reminder to send out a renewal packet to complete the December 1, 2010, renewal.
Although a new application (paper or electronic) is not required, the CAO must register a non-application in eCIS when the person requests that their benefits be reopened (reviewed for eligibility), asks for a new application, and/or submits required documents.
NOTE: If the person provides some but not all of the pending information, the CAO should work with the person in an effort to get the required information.
The CAO may have the person complete a new application when it would expedite benefit delivery.
Example: Getting a new application may benefit the person if there are delays in locating or transferring previously completed documents from district to district or from county to county.
NOTE: A household may file an appeal as well as having a case reopened. Filing an appeal does not preclude reopening a case. Reopening a case does not preclude an appeal.
Reissued October 5, 2015, replacing April 24, 2015