134.09 Requesting a Hardship Extension SR 01-11, 04/01(FAM-A)

The Hardship Review Interview

All requests for an extension due to hardship are initiated by the client’s participation in the Hardship Review Interview process.

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 life time limit on receipt of TANF financial assistance:

• NHEP assistance groups must participate in a face to face Hardship Review Interview with the case technician or NHEP Employment Support Counselor (ESC) between month 54 and month 58 of TANF receipt to determine if the family is experiencing at least one of the hardship criteria.

• NHEP assistance groups open in an extension period must participate in the Hardship Review Interview process between month 4 and month 6 of the extension to request a subsequent extension, for the same or a different reason.

• NHEP cases closed due to reaching the 60 month limit or the end of a temporary extension must reapply for TANF financial assistance and, as part of the Application Entry (AE) interview, verify the presence of a hardship or be found eligible for FAP financial assistance in order to receive TANF financial assistance.

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

During the Hardship Review Interview, the case technician/ESC and the casehead complete Form 785, Hardship Exemption Review Questionnaire. Completed and signed Form 785 must be forwarded, along with all required verification supporting the hardship extension request, to the Extension Review Coordinator at DFA State Office.

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 TANF AG must be closed; or

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

When verification is complete, the District Office or NHEP team must forward Form 785 and required documentation to the Extension Review Coordinator at DFA State Office. The Coordinator will then review all documents, remove or mask all information that identifies the individual members of the case, and forward these documents to the Hardship Review Committee.

Advise currently open NHEP financial assistance cases of the following:

• required verification necessary to process the hardship request must be submitted within 10 calendar days;

• they must notify their case technician or ESC immediately, but no later than 10 calendar days of the request, if they have difficulty in obtaining verification;

• if required verification is not received before the end of their 60 month lifetime limit or the end of the current extension period, their NHEP grant case will be closed effective with the issuance of the final semi-monthly payment;

• when verification is complete, the extension request will be reviewed by the Hardship Review Committee; and

• that if the client disagrees with the Committee’s decision, he or she may request an administrative appeal.

When verification is complete, forward Form 785 and required documentation to DFA at State Office. DFA will then forward these documents to the Hardship Review Committee.

If a case has been granted a 6 month extension to the 60 month TANF lifetime and would like to request another extension, the client must reapply for an extension, participate in a face-to-face Hardship Review Interview and complete Form 785 as noted above.

NHEP Cases Reapplying for TANF After Closure Due to Time Limits

NHEP cases closed due to reaching the 60 month limit or the end of a previous extension and wishing to regain eligibility due to a hardship must reapply for TANF financial assistance and, as part of the Application Entry interview, participate in the Hardship Review Interview and complete Form 785 if applying for NHEP financial assistance or be determined eligible for FAP financial assistance.

Advise applicants for NHEP financial assistance of the following:

• required verification necessary to process the hardship request must be submitted within 10 calendar days;

• to notify their case technician if they have difficulty in obtaining verification;

• if required verification is not received within 10 calendar days and no contact has been made regarding difficulty obtaining verification, the TANF application will be denied;

• when verification is complete and received within 10 days, the extension request will be reviewed by the Hardship Review Committee;

• that if the client disagrees with the Committee’s decision, he or she may request an administrative appeal; and

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