Work First 205 - Payment Rules and benefit issuance

Change # 5-2010

August 1, 2010

I. DETERMINATION OF PAYEE FOR WORK FIRST FAMILY ASSISTANCE

A. The adult caretaker relative who lives with and is responsible for the care and supervision of the child(ren) is the payee for Work First Family Assistance (WFFA).

When there are two parents in the family unit, both parents must be listed as payee. (Refer to EIS instructions in the Work First User Manual.) Both parents are listed on all checks, Medicaid cards, and automated notices. Any manual notices or requests for information must contain both parents' names.

NOTE: In order for the EIS interface with ACTS to work properly, the parent who will have a child support referral completed for his children must be listed as the payee on the DSS-8125 with the second parent listed as the sub-payee. In those instances where both parents must have a referral, either parent can be listed as payee. When sending the referral to child support, indicate on the notepad that there are two parents in the case, each with their own child support case. (Refer to Child Support Procedures in the Work First User Manual.)

B. In no instance can a minor parent be the payee for WFFA. When a minor parent lives with an adult, that adult receives the payment. A protective payee is required if the minor parent does not live with an adult and other eligibility requirements are met. See Section 103, and Section 107.

C. If one of the following conditions exists, a protective payee must be designated. The protective payee is responsible for receiving the WFFA payment and assuring the payment is used to meet the needs of the family.

1. The adult caretaker is unwilling or unable to manage the Work First Family Assistance payment;

2. The adult caretaker has misused funds to the extent that the health or safety of the child is threatened:

3. There is no adult with whom the minor parent can live or such an arrangement is detrimental to the minor parent or the minor parent’s child.

4. The adult caretaker does not comply with the substance abuse treatment plan without good cause. See Section 104B.