701-3          DETERMINING EXEMPTIONS AND ALLOWING EXTENSIONS TO THE 60-MONTH LIMIT

Exemptions to the 60-month time limit are not applied until the family has received 60 months of assistance. The determination to exempt a family from the 60-month time limit and to allow an extension of benefits is based on the family's situation and eligibility at the time they reach the time limit. Families receiving an extension to the time limit must continue to meet all other program requirements.

A family is considered for an extension before reaching the time limit or upon reapplication after their case has closed:

• Families receiving assistance are contacted at the beginning of their 57th month of assistance to invite them to a Family Progress Review. This review is used to assess the family's development toward self-sufficiency, prepare for their departure from ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program, and determine if they qualify for an extension.
• Families who apply for assistance and who have used 57 or more months of assistance will be asked during the application process if they want to request an extension.

701-3 A.      MAKING THE EXTENSION DECISION

Family Progress Reviews held with the family during their time on assistance provide the basis for making the decision to allow an extension. The Family Progress Reviews ensure families receive a complete evaluation of their situation. It also helps identify the services needed to assist the family with becoming self-sufficient before reaching 60 months of assistance. Ongoing communication between the Work Services case manager, caseworker, and other individuals involved with the case is an important part of the Family Program Review process.

The Extension Review Staffing is held at 58 months of assistance, or as soon as possible for families past 58 months. The staffing is held to review the family's situation and determine if the family wants and qualifies for an extension of benefits. The Extension Review Staffing Team must:

• Review the family's need for additional services, either under an extension or as part of a plan to exit from the program. Although the parent or caretaker is strongly encouraged to attend the staffing, it is held even if they do not attend.
• Allow extensions on a case-by-case basis after examining the family's circumstances. Families are not guaranteed an extension simply because they claim an extension reason.
• Fully document and explain what decisions were made at the Extension Review Staffing, what information was used to make the decisions, and how information was applied in reaching the decisions.
• Send an email to DPADivision of Public Assistance Policy at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov if the Extension Review Staffing Team is unable to reach a decision to allow or deny the extension. The extension staffing team must send details of the case so the DPADivision of Public Assistance Policy Unit can make the final determination.

701-3 B.      ENDING ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE TIME LIMIT

If an individual does not respond to contacts from the Work Services case manager concerning the possibility of extension, refuses an extension, or does not qualify for an extension, the case is closed at the end of the 60th month. In the case of applicants, TATemporary Assistance is denied.

The decision to deny an extension must be thoroughly explained to the family and documented in the case record. Any aspects of the family's situation that relates to a reason for which an extension could be allowed must be addressed and a clear statement made explaining why the family did not qualify for an extension under that reason.

The individual may request a Fair Hearing on the decision to deny an extension, and the family may receive continued benefits pending the hearing decision.

701-3 C.      LENGTH OF EXTENSION

When the Extension Review Staffing Team decides to allow an extension, they also determine the length of the extension. The length of the extension varies on the family's situation and the reason for the extension. This period of time may be as long as 12 months.

701-3 D.      MONITORING THE EXTENSION

During the extension period, the Work Services case manager monitors the family's progress on their FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan. The FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan incorporates the recommendations from the Extension Review Staffing Team. The Work Services case manager maintains frequent contact with the family to ensure they are complying with the FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan and they continue to qualify under the stated extension criteria. If the Work Services case manager determines:

• The family no longer qualifies under the original extension reason, they follow the procedures below for Continuing the Extension, and/or
• The family is not complying with the FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan and a penalty may be imposed. See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MS 701-5.

701-3 E.      CONTINUING THE EXTENSION

Families are granted extensions for a specified period of time. The family's situation, and their continued eligibility for an extension must be reviewed when:

• The extension period ends; or
• The family's circumstances change, such as when the adults on the case change or the case closes and reopens.

1. Extension Period Ends

Families approaching the end of the extension period are sent a notice 60 days in advance of the end date informing them that their benefits will end unless they request another extension.

If the family requests a longer extension, the Work Services case manager and the caseworker will decide if the family should be allowed additional time.

If there are concerns about the family's continued qualification for an extension or about progress made toward meeting agreed upon self-sufficiency goals, a Family Progress Review may be scheduled to gather information and review the case.

When the family no longer wants an extension, or does not qualify under the extension criteria (see ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MS 701-4), the Work Services case manager works with the family to develop an exit plan and the caseworker is notified to close the case.

2. Change of Circumstances

The Work Services case manager may review an extension decision at any time. The review should include consideration of the issues that are affecting the family's progress towards self-sufficiency.

The Work Services case manager and the caseworker determine if the family qualifies for an extension or if the extension period needs to be revised.

If there are concerns about the family's continued qualification for an extension or about progress made toward meeting agreed upon self-sufficiency goals, a Family Progress Review may be scheduled to gather information and determine whether continuation of the extension is appropriate.