WAG 18-02-01
If a Medical Only client requests Cash benefits, determine their eligibility. The request must be in writing to be approved.
To be eligible for Medical Only, the client must cooperate in the child support enforcement process as asked (see PM 24-02-00). To be eligible for TANF (except for child-only), in addition to cooperating in the child support enforcement process, the client must cooperate in developing and signing a Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP). See PM 02-09-00.
A client requesting a SWAP from Assist or Moms and Babies to TANF who refuses to cooperate in designing or signing their RSP, is not eligible for TANF. A client who refuses to cooperate with child support enforcement is ineligible for TANF unless they are pregnant or have good cause (See Chapter 24).
If the person who is required to be in the TANF case refuses or fails to cooperate with child support enforcement or with developing a RSP, deny the Cash request for the entire family unit. If the person is an optional unit member, deny cash for that person only and approve it for the rest of the family. In either situation, the family remains eligible for medical.
If the client has recently lost TANF due to noncooperation with work and training activities, see "Loss of TANF in Past 6 Months for Failure to Cooperate with Work & Training" under PM 02-09-01.
Once a SWAP request to TANF is approved, the client must cooperate in following through on the activities contained in the RSP.
When a family requesting a SWAP to TANF indicates that they are currently receiving intact family services from DCFS, ask them what activities they are involved in with DCFS. Accept the client's statement about what DCFS activities they are participating in. Develop the RSP for the client that allows them to cooperate with DCFS and moves them toward self-sufficiency. Don't schedule the client for times or activities which will cause conflict with their DCFS obligations.
Contact DCFS and begin coordination for a staffing to occur (see PM 19-02-06-d and WAG 19-02-06-d).
When a client requests a SWAP from Medical Only to Cash, mail a written notice of decision no later than 45 days from the date the written request was received. If eligible, cash benefits must be available no later than 45 days from the date the written request was received.
For SWAPs from Medical Only to Cash, begin cash benefits the 30th day following the date the written request for a SWAP was received, or for TANF, the date the case became eligible following the 30th day after the written request was received. Use intake budgeting when determining eligibility. For approvals, the date of decision on the written decision notice must be the 30th day following the date the written request was received, or for TANF, the date of initial eligibility, whichever is later.
For TANF, cash assistance may be approved prior to the 30th day following the date of the SWAP request if:
- the case is a Norman Case (see PM 04-01-08) or
- the client requests Crisis Assistance and they are eligible for it (see PM 06-03-00).
If the case is a Norman case, the beginning date of eligibility is whichever is later:
- the date of decision or
- the 30th day before the date the child(ren) is to be returned to the family.
If a client requests a SWAP to TANF and Crisis Assistance, make a decision on the SWAP request and the Crisis Assistance request within 5 workdays
If the client is eligible for both TANF and Crisis Assistance, SWAP the case by the 5th workday. The date of decision on the SWAP request is the beginning date of eligibility. Approve the Crisis Assistance payment within 2 workdays from the date of the decision.
If the client is not eligible for TANF, deny both the SWAP request and the request for Crisis Assistance.
If the client is eligible for TANF but not Crisis Assistance, deny the request for Crisis Assistance. Process the SWAP in the normal fashion. If the client is not eligible for Crisis Assistance, eligibility for cash assistance may not begin until 30 days following the date of application.
For SWAPS from category 90 to 00, approve cash as of the date of the request.
For AABD clients who reside in a shelter care home, an exception exists for approval of a SWAP prior to the 30th day following the date of the request (see PM 17-02-02).
