780-13        INITIAL PAYMENT

The first payment made to an approved applicant begins on the date an identifiable application is received in a district office, or on the first later date that the client is otherwise eligible (if the client is determined to be ineligible on the date of application).

This means that the first payment made to most applicants must be "prorated." This payment is computed and rounded as if the client were entitled to a full month's benefits. Then that payment amount is multiplied by a decimal: days remaining in month (including day of receipt), divided by the total days in the month. The result is rounded down to the next lower dollar, if necessary.

A client whose applications is received on the first day of any month will receive a full month's payment. A client whose application was received on the 15th day of a 30-day month will receive 16/30 of a full monthly payment. A client whose application is received on the last day of a 31 day month will receive 1/31 of a full month's payment. If the result of this initial proration is a payment under $10.00, no payment will be made for the first month.

Prorating also applies to person added to an existing case. Prorating for pregnant woman coverage starts no earlier than 90 days from the estimated date of delivery.