134.09 Requesting a Hardship Extension SR 10-18, 10/10 (FAM-A)

The Hardship Review Interview

The client initiates all requests for an extension of the Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) 60-month lifetime limit. The client must also participate in a FANF Hardship Review Interview.

Exception: AG’s eligible for or receiving FAP are automatically extended and are not required to participate in a Hardship Review Interview. Advise the FAP AG of the extension policy and the need to report any changes in case circumstances that would affect FAP eligibility.

To request an extension to the 60-month state lifetime limit on receipt of FANF financial assistance:

• FANF assistance groups (AGs) must participate in a face-to-face Hardship Review Interview with the Family Services Specialist (FSS) or NHEP Employment Counselor Specialist (ECS) after month 54 of receiving FANF cash benefits to determine if the family is experiencing at least one of the hardship criteria.

• AGs currently in an extension period must request a new extension, if one is desired, and participate in the Hardship Review Interview process between month 4 and month 6 of the current extension to prevent benefits from stopping entirely.

• AGs closed due to reaching the 60-month FANF lifetime limit or the end of a temporary FANF hardship extension must reapply for FANF financial assistance, and be determined eligible for a hardship extension or be found eligible for FAP financial assistance.

Exception: AG’s that close after month 53 and then reapply for FANF before the end of month 60 are not required, as a condition of FANF eligibility before month 60, to verify the existence of a hardship. However, FSS must inform the AG of the time limit policy and the availability of a temporary extension due to a hardship. If the AG indicates the desire to request an extension, the FSS must offer to conduct the hardship review interview as part of the AE process, or schedule another meeting for that purpose before the end of the AG’s 60th month.

During the Hardship Review Interview, the FSS/ECS and the casehead complete DFA Form 785, FANF Hardship Extension Request. The completed and signed DFA Form 785 must be provided, along with all required verification supporting the hardship extension request, to the *District Office supervisor. The *supervisor will then review all documents, and make a decision on the hardship request.

Hardship Extension Verification Requirements

• Required verification must be submitted within 10 days of the request;

Exception: If a currently open AG fails to provide verification by the time the individual reaches month 60 or the last day of an extension, and the casehead has not contacted the District Office to request additional time, the FANF cash AG must be closed; or

• the client must notify the FSS or NHEP team member within 10 days that assistance is needed in obtaining 3rd party documentation.

Advise Hardship Extension Applicants of the following:

• Required verification necessary to process the hardship request must be submitted within 10 calendar days.

• The applicant must notify their FSS or ECS immediately, but no later than 10 calendar days after making the request, if they have difficulty in obtaining verification.

• If required verification is not received before the end of the applicant’s 60-month lifetime limit, the end of the current extension period, or within 10 days, if a new applicant, the case will be denied or closed effective with the issuance of the final semi-monthly payment.

• When verification is complete, the extension request will be reviewed by the *District Office supervisor.

• If the applicant disagrees with the *decision made on their hardship extension request, he or she may request an administrative appeal.

• If an AG has already been granted a 6-month extension and would like to request another extension, the casehead must make a request for the extension, reapply, participate in a face-to-face Hardship Review Interview, complete DFA Form 785, and provide all verification within the 10-day timeframe as noted above.

• If an assistance group has had their FANF financial assistance case closed due to reaching the 60-month state lifetime limit and the AG wishes to regain eligibility due to a hardship, the AG must either be determined eligible for FAP financial assistance or the AG must reapply for FANF financial assistance and, as part of the Application Entry interview, participate in the Hardship Review Interview and complete DFA Form 785.

• If the hardship extension request is approved, the client must notify the Department within 10 days of any changes in circumstances that affect the extension.