134.09 Requesting a Hardship Extension SR 06-12, 10/06 (FAM-A)

The Hardship Review Interview

All requests for an extension of the 60-month state lifetime limit 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 state lifetime limit on receipt of UP and/or TANF financial assistance:

• NHEP/UP assistance groups 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 UP and/or TANF receipt to determine if the family is experiencing at least one of the hardship criteria.

• NHEP/UP 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/UP cases closed due to reaching the 60-month state lifetime limit or the end of a temporary extension must reapply for TANF/UP financial assistance, and be determined eligible for a hardship extension or be found eligible for FAP financial assistance.

Exception: TANF/UP AG’s that close after month 53 and then reapply for TANF/UP before the end of month 60 are not required, as a condition of TANF/UP 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, 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 FSS/ECS and the casehead complete Form 785, Hardship Extension Request. The completed and signed Form 785 must be forwarded, along with all required verification supporting the hardship extension request, to the Hardship Extension 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.

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/UP 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 Hardship Review Committee.

• If the applicant disagrees with the Committee’s decision, he or she may request an administrative appeal.

• If an assistance group has already been granted a 6-month extension and would like to request another extension, the casehead must reapply for an extension, participate in a face-to-face Hardship Review Interview and complete Form 785 as noted above.

• If an assistance group has had their TANF/UP 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 TANF/UP financial assistance and, as part of the Application Entry interview, participate in the Hardship Review Interview and complete 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.