WAG 03-22-04-b: Removing a Sanction

PM 03-22-04-b.

1. (FCRC) When the Family Community Resource Center receives a notice from the social service agency that the client has cooperated, review the Form 552 to determine the level of sanction applied and if there are any other active sanctions. If the case has been SWAPped to Medical, see WAG 03-22-04-c.
2. (FCRC) Keep the case in protective payee status unless notified by the community agency to remove it.
3. (FCRC) Report cooperation with the School Attendance Initiative through ACM or on the Form 552 as follows:

   Item 3	-Enter TA 31.
   Item 33	-Enter TAR 14.
   Item 80	-Change the reason code from 01 to 00 for the 166 SSNC sanction code.

   If the child(ren) with poor attendance has left the home, enter reason code 90. 

4. (FCRC) When the case has other active sanction codes in Item 80, change the reason for the code 166 but do not restore cash benefits to the client. Cash benefits are restored only when the client cooperates fully with all program requirements.

   If the case has no other active sanction codes, take the following action based on the level of sanction applied. Issue supplemental payment(s), if needed, when the sanction period ends before the effective date of the action to change the reason code. 

   • Level 1: The Form 541A from the community agency provides the specific date of compliance. Restore cash benefits for the fiscal month that corresponds to the calendar month of regular school attendance or the month the child left the home.
     • Example 1: The sanction starts with the 12/97 payment month. In 12/97 the school reports that the child regularly attended throughout the 11/97 calendar month. Change the Item 80 code 166 reason to 00 for fiscal 01/98 and issue a supplement for 12/97. Use Item 80 code 255 on the Mercury.
   • Levels 2 and 3: The Form 541A from the community agency provides the specific date of compliance. Cash benefits are restored for the fiscal month that corresponds to the calendar month of regular school attendance or the first month after the end of the 3-month sanction period, whichever is later.
     • Example 2: A level 2 sanction begins for the 12/97 payment month. The TANF Cash Payment Level is reduced by 50%. In 01/98, the school reports that the child regularly attended school throughout the 12/97 calendar month.

       Change the code 166 reason to 00 effective 02/98. The system restores benefits for the 03/98 payment month. No supplement is needed. The TANF Unit must serve the full 3-month sanction.

       NOTE: If the client has cooperated, the Family Community Resource Center should submit the action to change the reason to 00 before the 4th month. The system does not lift the sanction until the 4th month. 

     • Example 3: A level 3 sanction begins for the 12/97 payment month. The system places the case in zero grant, with code 512 equal to the cash benefit and zero grant reason C in Item 34. In 01/98, the school reports that the child regularly attended school throughout the 12/97 calendar month. Change the code 166 reason to 00 effective 02/98.

       The system removes code 512 and zero grant reason C for the 03/98 payment month. The family must serve the full 3-month sanction. No supplement is needed.

       NOTE: If the client has cooperated, the Family Community Resource Center should submit the action to change the reason to 00 before the 4th month. The system does not lift the sanction until the 4th month. 

5. (System)
   • Level 1: Immediately deletes code 512 in Item 90 and deletes zero grant reason C in Item 34, if present.
   • Levels 2 and 3: Deletes code 512 in Item 90 and deletes zero grant reason C in Item 34, if present, for the 3rd month following the date shown in Item 80 code 166, if the action is submitted before that date. If after that date, the action is immediate.
6. (System) Deletes code 166 effective June unless the case is coded for year-round school; it does not matter whether or not the sanction is still active. If the sanction is active, this restores full benefits for cash cases, unless there is another reason for reduction. If the case has been SWAPped to Medical, restore cash benefits only if the client completes a Request for Financial Assistance (Form 2905).