310-2 ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE APPLICATION
Every applicant must be provided with adequate written notice of the action taken on his or her application. Adequate notice means that the individual is informed of the action taken and the reasons for the action, including the statute, regulation, or policy upon which the action is based.
310-2 A. APPROVING THE APPLICATION
An approval notice must be sent to the household following a determination of eligibility. Except for delays described in MS 310-2 F, Senior Benefits workers must make the eligibility decision and mail written notice of the decision within 30 days following the date of application.
Eligible First Month/Ineligible Second Month:
A household may be eligible for the month of application and ineligible in the subsequent month. In this case, the household should be approved only for the month of application.
Ineligible First Month/Eligible Second Month:
A household may be ineligible for the month of application but eligible in the subsequent month. Even though denied for the month of application, the household does not have to reapply. The same application is used for the first month denial and the determination of eligibility for the subsequent month.
Senior Benefits are always issued for a full calendar month, and are not prorated based on the date of application. The benefit start date for Senior Benefits is the first month in which the applicant meets all eligibility requirements for the Senior Benefits Program.
Note:
The Senior Benefits Program allows a one day - one month provision. If a person is determined eligible for Senior Benefits for any day during a month, the person is eligible for Senior Benefits for the entire month.
310-2 C. PENDING THE APPLICATION
When the office needs the applicant to submit a complete application form or provide information needed to determine eligibility, the application is pended, and a notice is sent. The notice clearly informs the applicant what is needed to complete the application. Applicants will be given at least 10 days, but no more than 30 days, to provide the necessary information. The Senior Benefits worker may extend the pend period if the applicant needs additional time to obtain the information.
310-2 D. DENYING THE APPLICATION
A denial notice must be sent to the applicant explaining the reason for the denial. This notice should be sent as soon as possible following the determination of ineligibility, but no later than 30 days following the application filing date.
Applicants denied for failing to provide needed information by the end of the pend period will be sent a notice of denial as soon as possible after the end of the pend period. If the applicant provides the verification after the end of the pend period but within 30 days of the application filing date, the Senior Benefits worker must accept the verification and make an eligibility determination without requiring a new application.
310-2 E. WITHDRAWING AN APPLICATION
The applicant may voluntarily withdraw the application at any time before the eligibility determination is made. A written or oral request to withdraw is acceptable. The reason for the withdrawal (if known) shall be documented in the case record. A notice shall be sent to the individual denying the withdrawn application. If the individual wants to reapply, he or she must complete a new application.
See MS 310 for application signature requirements.
310-2 F. WHEN THE APPLICATION IS DELAYED
If a household’s eligibility has not been determined or benefits have not been authorized within 30 days of the application filing date, the application is delayed. The Senior Benefits worker will determine the cause for the delay and take appropriate action.
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