MFIP:
Require clients to apply for, accept benefits if eligible, and follow through with appealing any denials from other programs for which they appear eligible if those benefits would reduce their MFIP benefit. This includes SSI, RSDI, and Unemployment Insurance. For additional program information see 0029 (Other Related Programs). They must apply for benefits within 90 days of being told of their potential eligibility. The Notice to Apply for Other Maintenance Benefits (DHS-2116)(PDF) may be used to refer clients to other programs. Deny or terminate eligibility if clients fail to apply without good cause. Good cause for failure to apply for these benefits is allowed when circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or participant prevent the applicant or participant from making an application.

Do not require clients to reapply for benefits which had been denied before, unless there has been a change in circumstances or eligibility requirements of that benefit program.

Do not require proof of an Unemployment Insurance application prior to approving benefits; if the client appears to be eligible for Unemployment Insurance, inform the client that they must apply in order to remain eligible for cash. If they have already applied and are awaiting a decision, accept a verbal statement of their application date. Do not delay approval of an application while waiting for a decision from DEED regarding the Unemployment Insurance application.

When a member of the MFIP unit has been awarded Workers’ Compensation, any MFIP received during the period covered by the Workers’ Compensation settlement or award is subject to recovery by the DHS Benefit Recovery Section (BRS). BRS has the authority to recover subsistence related to a workers’ compensation injury. An Interim Assistance Agreement (IAA) is not required.


SNAP:
No provisions.


MSA, GA, HSP:
Clients must apply for and accept benefits they might qualify for. This includes but is not limited to: Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Unemployment Insurance, and Veterans benefits. For additional program information, see 0029 (Other Related Programs).

Clients must be notified in writing of their potential eligibility when you are referring using the Notice to Apply for Other Maintenance Benefits (DHS-2116). Clients receiving GA or HSP must apply for benefits within 90 days of being notified unless good cause is granted. Clients receiving MSA must apply for benefits within 30 days of being notified unless good cause is granted.

Client who are referred to other benefits may be required to complete interim assistance authorizations. See 0012.12.02 (Interim Assistance Authorization for RSDI and OMB) and 0012.12.03 (Interim Assistance Authorization for SSI).

If the client does not provide verification they applied for other benefits by the due date or the worker is unable to verify through an interface, issue a 10-day notice of adverse action to close the case. See 0026.15 (Notice of Denial, Termination, or Suspension).

Workers must update the PBEN panel with the referral or application date, the date the interim assistance authorization was signed, and the outcome/disposition. See TE02.05.116 (PBEN Entry). Track the client’s application status and update the outcome/disposition at recertification. If clients are approved for other benefits, see 0008 (Changes in Circumstances).

Good cause

●	A client may receive an extension to the 90-day requirement to apply for other benefits if they have good cause.
●	Good cause for failure to apply or follow through with the application process is allowed for any reason that is reasonable and justified in the context of surrounding circumstances or are beyond their control which keep them from following program requirements.
●	Workers must write a case note to document good cause and include a date to follow up to reassess if the client should be referred or good cause should continue.
●	Interim Assistance agreements may be needed. See 0012.12.02 (Interim Assistance Authorization for RSDI and OMB), 0012.12.03 (Interim Assistance Authorization for SSI), and TE02.06.08 (PBEN IAA & Good Cause Workaround).

When not to refer clients

●	Do not refer clients who do not meet eligibility criteria for other maintenance benefits.
●	Do not require clients to reapply for benefits if their previous application was denied, unless the denial was due to non-compliance with program requirements.
●	Do not require clients to reapply for benefits if their previous application was denied unless there has been a change in the client’s circumstances that may affect eligibility.
●	Do not refer married couples living together in the same HSP setting for SSI if their combined income exceeds the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for a couple. SSA considers them to be living together and deeming rules apply.

Social Security disability benefits

●	Refer clients to apply for both SSI and RSDI. SSA will determine eligibility for applicable benefits.
●	Refer clients to a Social Security disability advocate if they need help with the application process. See 0012.12.06 (Special Services – Applying for Social Security).

Social Security retirement benefits

●	Three months prior to a client turning 62, require the client to apply for early Social Security retirement (RSDI) benefits if they have 40 work credits. See TE02.12.15 (SVES Quarters of Coverage) and TE02.12.24 (Social Security Credits).
●	Refer clients to apply for SSI the month they turn 65, if their gross income is below the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) and their assets are below the SSI asset limit.

SSI recipients with incorrect living arrangement or in-kind income deduction

If a client receives SSI and lives in a HSP setting, but their SSI payment is reduced due to an incorrect living arrangement or an in-kind income deduction (such as free or reduced room or board), the client must contact SSA to update their information. SSA must be informed that the client resides in a HSP setting and is responsible for room and board.

Allow the client 90 days to contact SSA and request an update to their living arrangement so SSA can issue the correct SSI payment. If the client does not provide verification by the due date, or the worker cannot verify through an interface, issue a 10-day notice of adverse action to close HSP for non-compliance. See 0026.15 (Notice of Denial, Termination, or Suspension).

Non-compliance with SSA’s requirements at initial application
If a client’s initial application for SSI or RSDI is denied due to failure to meet or comply with SSA program requirements, and the denial is based on any of the following reasons, the client is considered non-compliant:

●	Applicant does not want to continue development of claim
●	Denied whereabouts unknown
●	Failure to cooperate or give permission to contact financial institutions
●	Failure to file for other benefits
●	Failure to get a representative payee
●	Failure to pursue claim
●	Failure to submit to a consultative exam
●	Voluntary withdraws from SSI program

The client must contact SSA to either appeal the decision or reapply for SSI or RSDI. Allow the client 90 days to demonstrate they are cooperating with SSA. A final decision from SSA is not required during this period; the client must show they are working with SSA. If the client does not provide verification by the due date, or the worker cannot confirm compliance through an interface, issue a 10-day notice of adverse action to close the case for non-compliance. See 0026.15 (Notice of denial, termination, or suspension).

Clients who are referred to reapply for SSI or RSDI may be required to complete interim assistance authorizations. See 0012.12.02 (Interim Assistance Authorization for RSDI and OMB) and 0012.12.03 (Interim Assistance Authorization for SSI).

Clients who need help with the SSI or RSDI disability application process can be referred to a Social Security advocate to help with the application process. See 0012.12.06 (Special Services – Applying for Social Security).

Referral to SSA for reinstatement of SSI or RSDI benefits:

Clients whose SSI or RSDI benefits are in non-pay status, suspended, or deferred must be referred to SSA for resolution and possible benefit reinstatement when the status is due to any of the following reasons:

●	Absent from the U.S. but now residing in the U.S.
●	Failure to cooperate or give permission to contact financial institutions.
●	Failure to file for other benefits.
●	Failure to furnish a required report.
●	Failure to get a representative payee.
●	Inmate of a penal institute and now lives in the community.
●	Payment returned.
●	Resident of a public institution, but lives in the community.
●	Voluntary terminated participation in SSI program.
●	Whereabouts unknown.
●	Deferred to recover overpayments not separately defined (clients can request a repayment plan).
●	Deferred for reasons not separately defined.

The client must contact SSA and take all necessary steps to resolve the issue and pursue reinstatement of their SSI or RSDI benefits. Allow the client 90 days to demonstrate they are cooperating with SSA. A final decision from SSA is not required during this period; the client must show they are working with SSA.

If the client does not provide verification by the due date, or the worker cannot verify through an interface, issue a 10-day notice of adverse action to close the case for non-compliance. See 0026.15 (Notice of denial, termination, or suspension).

Note: If a client’s SSI or RSDI benefits have been in non-pay status, suspended, or terminated for more than one year, the client cannot reinstate those benefits. The worker must assess the client’s current situation and determine whether to refer the client to apply for SSI and RSDI.

MSA and SSI terminated for non-citizens due to time limited benefits:

Deny or terminate MSA for clients who do not get SSI because they have exhausted time-limited benefits. Clients in this category may apply for GA. See 0008.06.03 (Change in Basis of Eligibility). The loss of SSI by a non-citizen who has reached the SSI time limit does not prohibit GA eligibility. Do not consider the loss of SSI due to exhausted time-limited benefits to be a failure to meet or comply with Social Security Administration program requirements.