Family and Children's Medicaid MA-3200 INITIAL CONTACT

IV. discouragement

A. An individual must not be discouraged from applying for assistance. Discouragement occurs any time a staff member of the agency:

1. Suggests or requires that the individual wait to apply until other benefits such as child support and Social Security have been applied for, until a decision regarding the application for those other benefits has been made, or until written verification regarding the application for those other benefits has been obtained, or

2. Suggests that the individual make an appointment to apply when he appears at the agency, or

3. Suggests that the individual complete a mail-in application when he appears at the agency, or

4. Fails to explain how the date of application is determined for individuals who appear at the agency and request a mail-in application from the receptionist, or

5. Fails to explain available Medicaid programs to individuals requesting Work First Employment Services, including direct financial services such as car repairs or indirect financial services such as help preparing a resume, or

6. Incorrectly states or suggests that the individual is ineligible for Medicaid, or

7. Gives materially incorrect or incomplete information about available Medicaid programs or options.

REISSUED 04/01/11 - CHANGE NO. 01-11

(IV.)

B. Discouragement can also occur when the individual signed an application but was not informed of and/or offered the greatest benefit for which he may have been eligible. Discouragement with a signed application occurs when:

1. An individual is not informed of and/or offered retroactive Medicaid, or

2. An application is taken for ABD only or M-QB only when there is potential dual eligibility, or

3. A parent applies in a non-caretaker coverage group and is not informed of and/or offered assistance for the minor children.

C. If an individual claims he was discouraged from applying, he must provide proof of his claim.

D. Refer to MA-3215, Processing The Application, for procedures when reopening a case because of discouragement.