Sec.17-12a-18. Household cooperation

(a) General

As a condition of eligibility households are required to cooperate in the initial application process, in reviews generated by reported changes, in redeterminations and in Quality Control reviews.

(b) Definition

Quality Control annual review period is the twelve month period from October 1st of each calendar year through September 30th of the following calendar year.

(1) At Intake

(A) Households are responsible for cooperating with the Department of Income Maintenance in completing the application process. The application form must be:

(i) fully completed and signed; and

(ii) a responsible household member or authorized representative must be interviewed; and

(iii) certain information must be verified.

(B) An application is denied when a household refuses to cooperate with the Department of Income Maintenance. It must be clearly shown that the household has not taken the necessary steps to complete the application process in order for the household to be denied for refusal to cooperate.

(2) Reported Changes and Redetermination

(A) A household is determined ineligible if it refuses to cooperate with any subsequent review of eligibility including reviews generated by reported changes and redeterminations.

(i) Once denied or terminated for refusing to cooperate, the household can reapply. Ineligibility continues until the household cooperates.

(3) Quality Control Review

(A) A household is ineligible for Food Stamp benefits if it refuses to cooperate in a Quality Control review of eligibility. If a household is terminated for refusal to cooperate with a Quality Control reviewer ineligibility continues until it cooperates, or until 95 days after the end of the annual review period, whichever is first.

(B) If a reapplication is filed 95 days after the end of annual review period, noncooperation is no longer a factor of eligibility and the household's benefits are not denied as a result of its refusal to cooperate with Quality Control. Verifications of all eligibility factors is required at the time of reapplication.

(Effective June 2, 1986)