808.45 Referrals to the DALR Work Capacity Specialists (WCS) SR 06-12, 10/06 (FAM-A)

Refer individuals to the Division of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation (DALR) Work Capacity Specialist (WCS) whenever an individual:

• claims an exemption from NHEP due to their own or a relative’s or assistance group member’s medical condition;

• claims a limitation in NHEP participation due to their own or a relative’s or assistance group member’s medical condition; or

• requests a hardship extension due to their own or a relative’s or assistance group member’s medical condition.

Individuals claiming an exemption from NHEP, a limitation in NHEP participation, or a hardship extension due to a medical condition, must complete a DALR packet containing:

• Form 752a, Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information; and

• Form 752, Physician/Psychologist Statement for Exemption/Limitation From the NHEP Work Requirement.

Individuals claiming an exemption from NHEP, due to the necessary care of a household member’s medical condition, must complete a DALR packet containing:

• Form 752a, Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information; and

• Form 752HH, Physician/Psychologist Statement of Necessary Patient Care for a Household Member.

Exception: If there is a Form 752 on file that is less than 4 months old, do not make the individual complete a new DALR packet.

The request for a hardship extension or an exemption from or limitation in NHEP participation will be denied, if:

• the healthcare provider fails to return Form 752, even after the DALR Work Capacity Specialist (WCS) attempts to help get the information; or

• the applicant fails or refuses to cooperate with the WCS.

Participant Status After Referral to DALR

Applicants

Applicants claiming a medical exemption from NHEP work requirements will be considered exempt until the WCS receives Form 752 and is able to determine the individual’s ability to participate in NHEP.

Recipients

Mandatory or voluntary participants in NHEP who claim an exemption to work requirements due to a medical issue will retain their status of mandatory or voluntary during the period of time the WCS is awaiting the return of needed documentation and making a determination on the recipient’s claim for exemption. Participants must continue to comply with NHEP. Failure to comply with NHEP during the WCS determination process is cause for progressive sanctioning.

Recipients who are currently exempt from participation requirements due to a medical issue will be referred to DALR at their next regularly scheduled redetermination and must redocument the medical condition if, at that time, the Form 752 is 4 or more months old. If a mandatory or voluntary recipient is currently participating in NHEP in a limited way based upon information indicated in an existing Form 752 that is less than 4 months old, workers will direct the client to redocument the medical condition once documentation is 4 or more months old.

Medical exemptions must be redocumented at least every 6 months unless otherwise indicated on the form.

Claim Status After Referral to DALR

If not requesting a hardship extension, once the Form 752 is returned to the WCS and the healthcare provider has indicated that:

• the individual is partially or fully able to participate in work or work-related activities, the WCS will enter this information into New HEIGHTS and the individual will be referred to NHEP if the individual is not currently participating in NHEP; or

• the individual is totally unable to participate in work program activities, the WCS will provide case management services and offer to help the individual explore and apply for programs, if appropriate, that might better serve the individual’s needs, such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, veteran’s benefits, Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, or Aid to the Needy Blind.

If requesting a hardship extension due to a medical condition, the WCS will determine the individual’s ability to participate in NHEP work activities based on the information provided by the healthcare provider and then forward the Form 752 to the Hardship Coordinator for a decision on the hardship request.

If the medical situation is expected to last less than 6 weeks and the client is not requesting an exemption or a hardship extension, do not refer the case to DALR; NHEP can monitor short-term impairments and place the individual in the Interim Activities activity. All approved activities must take into account the individual’s temporary limitations.