reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 323 - MAINE GENERAL ASSISTANCE MANUAL › Section 144-323-X - PENALTIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Reimbursement Withholding. When the
				Department determines after review, that a municipality is not complying with
				the requirements of the General Assistance statutes, the regulations
				promulgated thereunder, or the municipality's ordinance, it will withhold
				reimbursement to compel compliance, as set out below.
1. Withholding of reimbursement as a result
				of a review shall take place when:
a. The
				Department determines that funds are being, or have been, spent
				improperly;
b. a plan of
				correction, which has been requested, is not received timely;
c. a submitted plan of correction is not
				acceptable to the Department and efforts by the Department and the municipality
				to agree on an acceptable plan of correction do not result in an acceptable
				plan; or d. a subsequent review, after an acceptable plan has been received,
				results in the same violations found at the previous reviews.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 323 - MAINE GENERAL ASSISTANCE MANUAL › Section 144-323-XI - INTERVENTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. When the Department finds that an eligible
				person in immediate need of General Assistance has not received assistance as a
				result of a municipality's failure to comply with General Assistance statutes,
				municipal ordinance or the Department's regulations, the Department shall
				intervene and grant assistance within 24 hours per
				22 M.R.S.
				§4323(3).
1. When a complaint is received, the
				Department shall ascertain from the complainant or the applicant:
a. The complainant's name (if the complainant
				is not the applicant);
b. the
				applicant's name, address and telephone number;
c. the applicant's household composition,
				income, assets, and expenses;
d.
				all other pertinent facts and circumstances leading to the complaint,
				including, but not limited to, information about whether the complaint involves
				a first-time application, whether the client has been allowed to apply, whether
				the client is being disqualified and;
e. whether the client received a written
				decision.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 323 - MAINE GENERAL ASSISTANCE MANUAL › Section 144-323-XII - REIMBURSEMENT TO MUNICIPALITIES, REPORTING AND REQUIREMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Reimbursement and Requirements
1. The Department will reimburse
				municipalities for their direct General Assistance costs at the rate prescribed
				by statute. Administrative costs are not reimbursable.
2. In order to receive reimbursement, a
				municipality must:
a. Be in compliance with
				all requirements of Chapter 1161, municipal ordinance and this
				manual;
b. submit, in a timely
				manner per sections B and C, below, claims for reimbursement together with the
				necessary report forms;
c. certify
				in writing that its claim for reimbursement does not include any General
				Assistance payments made to individuals who did not meet the municipality's or
				the state's eligibility requirements; and
d. provide with its reimbursement request the
				names, alien numbers and numbers of assistance months for all General
				Assistance recipients eligible as "pursuing a lawful process" included in that
				request.
3. When a
				municipality receives reimbursement from a client or another municipality
				(which is not part of the Interim Assistance (SSI) Program), and the payment
				has already been claimed to the Department for reimbursement, the municipality
				must inform the Department.
a. This
				reimbursement will be reported on the reimbursement form for the time period it
				is received and the Department shall receive its share.
4. The value of workfare completed by
				recipients will be subtracted from the reimbursement request.
5. Claims for reimbursement must be based on
				assistance payments the municipality actually disbursed during the
				reimbursement period, and must not include payments that the municipality paid
				previously or expects to pay at a later date.
a. Municipalities that use the accrual method
				of bookkeeping may need to keep separate records, so that reimbursement claims
				for the last month of the State's fiscal year reflect only those payments made
				through the last day of the month of the State's fiscal year.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 323 - MAINE GENERAL ASSISTANCE MANUAL › Section 144-323-XIII - TRAINING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
As part of its role in jointly administering the General
				  Assistance Program, the Department may, upon request from a municipality,
				  provide training to new administrators; provide guidance and opinions on issues
				  brought to its attention by a municipality; and provide General Assistance
				  training and/or guidance subsequent to statutory or policy changes.
The Department will work in cooperation with the Maine
				  Welfare Director's Association and any municipality in the development and
				  delivery of training programs and materials.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-I - PURPOSE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This program was approved by the 113th Session of the Maine
				  Legislature. Funds were provided to assist applicants with needs arising as a
				  result of the April 1987 flood. These needs include replacement of personal
				  items, household furnishings and structural repair.
Specific objectives of the program in order to meet those
				  necessary expenses or serious needs for disaster victims include:
- to meet those needs as expeditiously as possible.
- to meet those needs as accurately as possible within the
				  scope of the program.
- to accomplish the above in an atmosphere of dignity and
				  respect for the victims wherever feasible.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-II - RESPONSIBILITY ASSIGNED TO AGENCY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The 113th Session of Legislature has designated the
				  Department of Human Services, Division of Special Services, as the single state
				  agency responsible for administration of the April 1987 Flood
				  Funds.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-III - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Following a major disaster declaration by the President, a
				  number of State and Federal disaster assistance programs were made available to
				  victims suffering uninsured loss or damage to personal and real property in
				  designated disaster areas. This program is not intended to indemnify all
				  disaster losses or to purchase items or services that may generally be
				  characterized as non-essential, luxury or decorative. The program is designed
				  to assist victims with disaster recovery funds which have not been made
				  available through governmental assistance insurance or private groups or which
				  assistance was not adequate to meet serious needs and recovery expenses.
Direct grants for this program will not exceed $5,000.00 per
				  application. This coincides with maximums established by the Individual and
				  Family Grant Program used as a result of the 1987 flood disaster. Payment will
				  be made on behalf of the eligible applicant to the vendor of his choice
				  pursuant to a valid purchase order signed by the applicant and the
				  vendor.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-IV - ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
To qualify for a grant, an individual or family
				  representative must
1 Have made
				application to all applicable available governmental disaster assistance
				programs for assistance to meet necessary expenses or serious needs, and have
				been determined not qualified for such assistance or have demonstrated that the
				assistance received did not meet the total necessary expenses or serious
				needs.
2 Not have previously
				received or refused assistance from other sources to meet needs for which
				application is now made under the program described herein.
3 Agree to refund to the state that part of
				the grant for which assistance from other sources is received or which is not
				spent as identified in the purchase order.
Individuals or families who incur a necessary expense or have
				  a serious need and for whom all other government assistance is unavailable or
				  inadequate in a major disaster may be eligible for assistance under this
				  program without regard to alienage. However, their residence must have been
				  located within the major disaster area of the State of Maine at the time of the
				  April 1987 flood.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-V - APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1 The applicant
				must be able to verify how he has spent any other disaster assistance by
				proving any expenses, paid out of pocket, with valid receipts.
2 The applicant must provide acceptable
				estimates of repairs, replacements or other work to be done for flood related
				damages.
3 The applicant must
				choose a vendor acceptable to the Department. The applicant will be solely
				responsible for pursuing any complaint against the vendor in connection with
				the merchandise, installations or labor provided by the vendor, or any other
				action by the vendor.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-VI - ELIGIBILITY CATEGORIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Assistance shall be available to meet expenses or serious
				  needs by providing essential items or services in the following
				  categories:
1 Structural repairs. With
				respect to primary residences (including mobile homes) which are owner-occupied
				at the time of the disasters grants may be authorized to .
A repair, replace, or rebuild;
B provide access;
C clean or make sanitary;
D remove debris from such residences;
				and/or
E provide or take minimum
				protective measures required to protect such residence against the immediate
				threat of damage.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-VII - INELIGIBLE CATEGORIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Assistance shall not be made available in the case of:
A Business losses including business and
				self-employment;
B Improvements or
				additions that upgrade the size, quality or capacity of real or personal
				property;
C Landscaping;
D Real or personal property items used
				exclusively for recreation; or
E
				Financial obligations incurred prior to the disaster.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-VIII - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A separate account for accounting will be maintained by the
				  Department of Human Services.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-IX - DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Should an applicant who benefits from this program also
				  receive monies or assistance from other sources with the result that the amount
				  received from all sources exceeded the amount of loss, the Department of Human
				  Services shall recover the amount of assistance granted under this program
				  which exceeds the loss.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-X - FRAUD

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The Department of Human Services will refer to the Department
				  of Attorney General for investigation and/or prosecution any case in which an
				  individual has fraudulently misstated any fact in connection with an
				  application for assistance under this program.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-XI - TIME LIMITATIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served
				  basis. When the funds allocated by the 113th Legislative Session for this
				  program are expended the program will cease operations without notice.
				  Applications for assistance will pot be accepted after April 30, 1989, except,
				  however, when the State of Maine, through its Commissioner, Department of Human
				  Services or his designee determines that extenuating circumstance beyond the
				  applicant's control (such as but not limited to, hospitalization, illness or
				  inaccessibility to application centers) prevented him from applying in a timely
				  manner, applications may be accepted through May 12, 1989.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 325 - 1987 FLOOD RECOVERY POLICY › Section 144-325-XII - RIGHTS TO A FAIR HEARING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A person who is aggrieved by any decision or action made by
				  the Department pursuant to this section shall have the right to appeal pursuant
				  to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title chapter 375, subchapter IV. A
				  request for the appeal shall be in writing and shall be made within thirty (30)
				  days of receipt of the decision being appealed. Review shall be conducted by
				  one or more fair hearing officers. In no event may an appeal be held before a
				  person or body responsible for the decision or action. Review of any fair
				  hearing decision under this section shall be pursuant to the Maine Rules of
				  Civil Procedure, Rule 80C.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 330 - HIGHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT (HOPE) PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-330-2 - PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The Maine State Legislature enacted P.L. 2017, Ch. 387,
				  codified at 22 M.R.S. §3790-A which authorized the Department to establish
				  a student financial aid program based on need known as the Higher Opportunity
				  for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program. HOPE will aid up to 800 low-income
				  Parents and Specified Relatives of minor children who are qualified to receive
				  federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), but do not receive TANF
				  cash assistance. HOPE serves students matriculated in a postsecondary Training
				  or Education Program, or a program providing remedial services necessary for
				  the individual to matriculate in such a program, that results in a high-value,
				  industry or trade recognized certificate or similar, universally recognized and
				  accepted credential; or a postsecondary undergraduate degree. Participants in
				  HOPE are provided with a package of student aid that includes all Support
				  Services necessary for participation in the Training or Education
				  Program.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 330 - HIGHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT (HOPE) PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-330-3 - ELIGIBILITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
For an individual to be eligible for the HOPE Program, they
				  must meet the eligibility requirements, or be granted Good Cause. Race, color,
				  national origin, sex, gender orientation, religion, or disability are not
				  eligibility factors. Participation in the HOPE Program is not limited to one
				  individual per Family Unit. The eligibility requirements are described
				  below.
A.
NON-FINANCIAL
				ELIGIBILITY
(1)
Parent/Specified
				Relative.
The Applicant or Participant must be a Parent, or Specified
				Relative, of a minor child. An individual will be considered a Parent, or
				Specified Relative, if they are living with the minor child and are a
				biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the minor child or are legally related
				and assuming parental responsibility of the child. When determining
				Parent/Specified Relative status the following conditions apply:
a) A pregnant person, or spouse of a pregnant
				person, applying at the sixth month of pregnancy or after, is considered a
				parent; or
b) A child who is
				temporarily absent from the home, for 45 days or longer, may qualify an
				individual as a Parent or Specified Relative only if the Parent/Specified
				Relative has full responsibility for the supervision and guidance of the child,
				maintains a home for the child during the absence, and any delegation of
				authority to another is temporary, voluntary and revocable. The child must
				return home unless the separation continues for a reason below, or another
				similar reason. Reasons for separation include:
i. The child needs to secure education when
				school facilities are not available in their area of residence, or when the
				existing facilities do not meet the child's educational and/or social
				needs.
ii. The child is residing in
				a private treatment center.
iii.
				The child is attending a vocational or technical school, college, or university
				until the child's 18th birthday.
iv. The child has left the home to obtain
				necessary medical care.
v. The
				child has been placed in an approved voluntary foster home by the Office of
				Child and Family Services and the plan is for the child to return to the Family
				Unit and when there is no foster care payment being made for that child.
EXCEPTION:
A foster child, for whom assistance
				  payments are received, will not qualify an individual as a Parent or Specified
				  Relative.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 330 - HIGHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT (HOPE) PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-330-4 - SERVICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The type, amount, and frequency of services are
				  individualized based on the unmet needs of the Participants.
A.
Navigation Services
Navigation services are offered to all Participants at no
				  cost to the Participant and provided on a voluntary basis through a contracted
				  Agent selected and secured by the Department. Navigation services are based on
				  individual need and requested assistance to promote persistence and completion.
				  While the Agent is providing Student Navigation as a support to assist
				  Participants in advancing in their Training or Education pursuits, their
				  service does not replace Department and Participant responsibility.
(1)
Student Navigation Contracted
				Agent
The Agent will provide campus-based Navigation services to
				  Participants. The Department's Agent will have access to Participant
				  information necessary to contact and support Participants throughout their
				  enrollment in HOPE. The Department's Agent will be bound by the same
				  confidentiality standards as the Department. Agents of the Department providing
				  Navigation services are responsible only for providing those services as
				  outlined in the contract between the Agent and the Department. The Department's
				  Agent is not responsible for-
a)
				Determining Applicant or Participant eligibility; and
b) Maintaining Participants' eligibility;
				and
c) Requesting and approving
				Support Services; and
d)
				Participant's use and receipt of Support Services; and
e) Submitting documentation and verifications
				to the Department as required of the Participant; and
f) Sending or communicating official
				Department notifications; and
g)
				Determining Good Cause; and
h)
				Meeting Participants at locations other than campus-based locations or other
				than those described in the contract.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 330 - HIGHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT (HOPE) PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-330-5 - LIMITATIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The HOPE Program is available to a limited number of
				  Participants (including Participants on Emergency Leave) at any given time. As
				  of July 1, 2021, that limit is 800. If the Commissioner reasonably anticipates
				  that available funds will not support continued operation of the HOPE Program,
				  the Commissioner shall limit or suspend enrollment or Support Services to the
				  extent necessary to avoid negative effects to services provided under TANF and
				  ASPIRE/TANF.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 330 - HIGHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT (HOPE) PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-330-6 - TERMINATION, REDUCTION OF SERVICES AND EMERGENCY LEAVE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Reduction of Services
Participant's Support Service benefits will end or be reduced
				  when the Participant is no longer eligible for the Support Service, there is
				  not unmet need, or the Support Service is not necessary to maintain
				  uninterrupted participation in the approved program. The Department will not
				  end or reduce a Participant's Support Services without advance notice.
				  Participants issued a written notice of termination will have no new Support
				  Services authorized past the date on the notice. If eligibility is reinstated
				  within the timeframe allowed, Support Service benefits may be restored back to
				  the date eligibility ended. Participants on Emergency Leave are ineligible to
				  receive Support Services from the HOPE Program without Department
				  approval.
B.
Termination
(1) The Participant
				will be terminated from the HOPE Program if any of the following occur without
				Good Cause:
a) Withdraws voluntarily in
				writing; or
b) Falsifies or
				misrepresents HOPE Program eligibility subject to Section 3; or
c) Fails to provide required eligibility
				documentation requested by the Department; or
d) Misuses program funds; or
e) Is determined no longer eligible as
				defined in Section 3.
Participants will not be terminated without advance notice.
				  Participant's enrollment will be held until the last day of the month following
				  the end of the advance notice period. If the Participant submits documentation
				  reinstating eligibility prior to termination, the termination process will end
				  and Support Services will be restored. In the case of voluntary withdrawal,
				  termination takes effect immediately when the Department receives the written
				  notice of voluntary withdrawal. Verbal requests for voluntary withdrawal will
				  follow advance notice guidelines. An individual who has been terminated from
				  HOPE will need to successfully complete the application process to
				  reenroll.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter II - Eligibility Requirements (Non-Financial)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
AGE
: For a family to be eligible for TANF/PaS, the specified
				relative, and the dependent child(ren) must meet the requirements of this
				section.
(1)
Specified Relative
:
				The specified relative must be 18 years of age or older unless they meet the
				maintenance of a home requirements for minor parents. (See E(3)(b)).
(2)
Dependent Child:
The
				dependent child must be:
a) Under the age of
				18; or
b) Aged 18 and enrolled as a
				full-time student in a high school or an equivalent instruction alternative,
				leading to a high school diploma.
c) When the student who is the dependent
				child on the TANF/PaS grant becomes 19, they are not eligible for the federally
				funded TANF program. They may receive state funded cash assistance until they
				graduate or become 21 years old, whichever comes first.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter III - Eligibility Requirements (Financial)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
ASSETS
All assets owned whole or in part by the filing unit members
				  must be evaluated for ownership, accessibility and value. All assets are
				  counted unless specifically excluded by rule. The asset limit is $2,000.
(1) Types of assets:
a) Liquid Assets: Liquid assets are those
				that are readily available such as cash, crypto-currency, bank accounts,
				Certificates of Deposit, certain lump sum payments (see Ch. IV (D)(4)), stocks
				or bonds, individual retirement accounts, and annuities.
b) Nonliquid Assets: Nonliquid assets include
				vehicles, buildings, land, recreational property and the like. Money obtained
				through the conversion of a non-liquid asset to a liquid asset is considered an
				asset (such as sale of marital property).
c) Potential Assets: Potential assets are
				those that are obtainable but not readily available. The filing unit must show
				that steps are being taken to obtain any potential assets.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter IV - Budgeting Process

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
PROSPECTIVE BUDGETING:
Eligibility and benefit levels are
				calculated for all assistance groups using prospective budgeting. Prospective
				budgeting is a method by which benefit levels are calculated using a best
				estimate of income, disregards, deductions and other circumstances of
				individuals who are the members of the assistance group and individuals whose
				income must be deemed to the assistance unit. For purposes of determining the
				amount of the TANF payment and the amount of income to be counted, the payment
				month and budget month are the same. The following definitions are used in this
				chapter:
(1) Prospective eligibility means
				that eligibility for any given month is determined by estimating, as accurately
				as possible, whether all eligibility factors will be met during that entire
				month.
(2) Income is available when
				it is received or can be reasonably anticipated. Reasonably anticipated means
				that the amount of income can be estimated, and the date of receipt is
				known.
(3) Best Estimate: The best
				estimate is based on the Department's reasonable expectation and knowledge of
				current, past, or future verified circumstances. In making this determination
				the concepts of significant and non-significant income changes and averaging
				must be used.
(4) Significant
				Income Changes: Changes in sources or amounts of income which are expected to
				continue long enough to be reflected in at least one check, such as starting or
				losing a job or a new source of unearned income, or changes in hours and
				wages.
(5) Non-Significant Income
				Changes: Changes that are temporary, short term and not part of the ongoing
				pattern, such as fluctuations due to irregular overtime or unpaid days off and
				other changes not expected to continue beyond the month of occurrence.
				Variations in income caused by non-significant changes are not considered
				underpayments or overpayments.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter V - Transitional Benefits

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
TRANSITIONAL CHILD CARE (TCC)
(1)
Transitional Child Care (TCC)
provides child care benefits to
				eligible families who received TANF/PaS in any one of the three months
				immediately preceding the month of ineligibility.
a) TCC benefits are only available during the
				time the specified relative works and only for-
i. Children under the age of 13 needing care
				while their specified relative works at paid employment.
ii. Children aged 13 through 19 who are
				physically or developmentally incapable of caring for themselves. The physical
				or developmental incapacity must be verified by a physician, certified nurse
				practitioner, or licensed psychologist;
iii. Children receiving SSI or IV-E Foster
				Care;
iv. Children who enter the
				household, and for whom the former TANF/PaS specified relative has legal
				responsibility, during the transitional period and otherwise meet all
				requirements.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter VII - Whole Family Economic Security

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
WHOLE
				FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY INITIATIVES:
(1) General: The Department will annually
				provide a maximum of $2,000,000 from Maine's Temporary Assistance for Needy
				Families block grant to community action agencies as defined in 22 M.R.S.
				§5324 or other community-based organizations to assist parents of minor
				children in their pursuit of stable employment or education intended to lead to
				employment.
(2) Organization
				Qualification: The organization must demonstrate to the Department that it has
				the resources and capacity to implement evidence-based practices to provide
				services.
(3) Family Eligibility:
				Selected vendors may provide services to parents and minor children whose
				monthly gross household income is less than 200% of the nonfarm income official
				Federal Poverty Limit.
Current FPL amounts are issued annually by the U.S.
				  Department of Health and Human Services and can be found on the Internet at:
https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines
.
An individual can also receive a copy of the current FPL
				  amounts by contacting his/her local DHHS office, or by writing to:
OFFICE FOR FAMILY INDEPENDENCE
11 State House Station, 19 Union Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
and requesting a copy. Department staff making eligibility
				  determinations will also have current FPL information and can share that
				  information with an applicant upon request.
(4) Contract requirements and process:
a) The Department shall select vendors to
				provide these services.
b) The
				Department shall review the contracts annually.
The Department shall include in this annual review the
				  evaluation of:
i. Performance
				measures;
ii. Participant
				satisfaction and well-being; and
iii. Fiscal and administrative
				accountable.
c) Vendors
				will be required to demonstrate the items outlined in (4) (b) as a contractual
				requirement.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 331 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL (TANF) › Chapter XI - TANF Economic Support for Working Families

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
I.
				The Working Families Supplement is part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy
				Families (TANF) program and provides a food benefit to households consisting of
				employed parents with minor children who receive food supplement benefits and
				who meet TANF work requirements. The goal of the benefit is to help transition
				these families to self-sufficiency.
This benefit is a food assistance benefit, not a cash
				  benefit, and may be used only as permitted by Maine's Food Supplement
				  Program.
II. Eligibility
				Criteria
a) Eligibility is determined
				automatically on a monthly basis based on data in the Automated Client
				Eligibility System (ACES). For the household to receive the benefit, data in
				ACES must show that during the benefit month the household:
1) Received food supplement benefits; and
2) Did not include a member who is
				also receiving TANF cash assistance; and
3) Included a minor child whose biological or
				adoptive parent(s) reside in the same household; and
4) Met the following work requirements:
(A) One parent household with a child(ren)
				over the age of six - 30 hours per week.
(B) Single parent with a child under age six
				- 20 hours per week.
(C) Two parent
				household - 35 hours per week or 55 hours if receiving federally funded
				childcare subsidies; and
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-3 - REFERRALS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Under certain circumstances referral to other Offices and
					 Divisions within the Department of Health and Human Services are to be made.
					 These include the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), the Office of
					 Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and the Division of Fraud Investigation
					 and Recovery Unit (FIRU) within OFI.
Section
				  3.1
: Referrals to Child and Adult Protective
				  Services
In compliance with Federal and State statutes, when
					 information is brought to the attention of a staff member or there is
					 reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation, an immediate
					 referral will be made to the Child or Adult Protective Unit which will
					 investigate the suspected abuse.
Section
				  3.2
: Referral to the Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit
				  (FIR) from the Eligibility Unit
If it appears that a recipient has purposely misrepresented
					 actual circumstances (such as living arrangement, income, or assets) in order
					 to receive MaineCare, and the individual would not have been eligible had the
					 proper information been available at the time of application, re-determination
					 of eligibility, or within ten days of the change in circumstances, a referral
					 to the Fraud Investigation Unit will be made.
The report will include:
I. a detailed explanation of the
				  misrepresentation and the effect it had on eligibility.
II. a claims history indicating the services
				  that should not have been paid.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-4 - REPLACEMENT OF MEDICAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
In those instances when an individual reports the loss or
					 non-receipt of a medical identification card, the Department will issue a
					 replacement card.
Requests may be made by telephone, in writing, or in
					 person.
OFI will issue replacement cards for those individuals for
					 whom they maintain case records or for SSI recipients. Child welfare recipients
					 will be referred to Office of Child and Family Services
					 (OCFS).
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-5 - OUT OF STATE COVERAGE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Medical Services provided outside of the State of Maine are
					 coverable under the following circumstances:
I. Individuals are eligible for payment of
				  services to qualified providers as long as the provider is located within
				  fifteen miles of the Maine-New Hampshire border or within five miles of the
				  Maine-Canada border.
II.
				  Individuals absent from the State are eligible for coverage of emergency
				  services. Routine medical services usually require prior authorization from the
				  Office of MaineCare Services (OMS). In both circumstances the provider will
				  need to enroll as a MaineCare provider.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-6 - OUTREACH

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
State law (
					 22 MRSA
					 §3173 ) requires the Department of
					 Health and Human Services to inform low-income households of the availability
					 and benefits of MaineCare and provide reasonable and convenient access to the
					 program. The Department publishes information explaining covered services and
					 eligibility.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-8 - RECORD RETENTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Material is kept for auditing purposes for three years.
					 Material over three years old may be destroyed except for the first application
					 which should be kept even if it is over three years old.
Individual case records are not to be filed in Archives for
					 historical preservation and future review by historians or anyone else. Such
					 retention has no bearing on the administration of MaineCare.
The only exception to this procedure is a case which has
					 been referred to the Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit (FIR) or Attorney
					 General for collection or prosecution purposes. These case records shall be
					 clearly marked "Do Not Destroy".
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION › Section 144-332-1-9 - PROGRAM INTEGRITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Section 9.1
Intentional Program Violation
means that a recipient, applicant,
				  or any other individual in the "Assistance Unit" has intentionally
				  misrepresented facts (including, but not limited to such facts as living
				  arrangement, income, or assets) in order to receive MaineCare, and the
				  recipient, applicant, or any other individual in the Assistance Unit would not
				  have been eligible for MaineCare if the Department had been notified of the
				  correct facts, or of a material change in facts. This includes, but is not
				  limited to:
A. False or misleading statements
				  or misrepresentations, concealment, or withholding of facts, or
B. An act intended to mislead, misrepresent,
				  conceal, or withhold facts or propound a falsity.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 2 - BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA › Section 144-332-2-2 - COVERAGE GROUPS AND ASSISTANCE UNITS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
To be eligible for MaineCare an individual must fall within
					 a category. With the exception of individuals who qualify for Medicaid under a
					 waiver or for the Medicare Savings Program, individuals must fall into one of
					 the Categorically Needy/Medically Needy coverage groups. Each coverage group
					 has specific eligibility criteria and individuals can meet the eligibility
					 criteria of more than one coverage group at the same time.
Once the Department has determined that an individual meets
					 the criteria of one or more coverage groups possible assistance units for each
					 coverage group are identified.
Choosing a coverage group:
An assistance unit is an individual or group enrolled in or
					 applying for MaineCare. The assistance unit also includes individuals who are
					 not covered, or not applying for coverage, but whose income, assets, and/or
					 needs are considered in determining eligibility.
Individuals are placed in the coverage group and assistance
					 unit that is most beneficial to them. An individual can be included in more
					 than one assistance unit at the same time to ensure that everyone who wants
					 coverage gets coverage. When not everyone who wants coverage can be covered and
					 a decision needs to be made as to which family members will be covered, the
					 Department shall inform the individual of the coverage options and give them
					 the opportunity to choose which coverage is preferred.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 2 - BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA › Section 144-332-2-4 - RESIDENCY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Each individual must be a resident of Maine. A resident is
					 an individual living in the State of Maine with the intent to remain
					 indefinitely.
An individual who is in Maine temporarily (e.g., visitor,
					 tourist, or student) is not a resident. The individual should apply to their
					 actual state of residence for Medicaid.
If the individual is living in Maine and has entered the
					 State with a job commitment or seeking a job (even if only a temporary job,
					 e.g., migrant workers), the individual is a Maine resident.
When two or more states cannot resolve which state is the
					 state of residence, the state where the individual is physically located is the
					 state of residence for Medicaid purposes.
Eligibility cannot be denied or terminated because:
I. An individual has not resided in the State
				  for a specified period;
II. The
				  individual did not establish residence before entering a medical institution;
				  or
III. An individual is
				  temporarily or involuntarily absent from the State, provided the individual
				  intends to return once the purpose of the absence has been accomplished, unless
				  another state has determined the individual is a resident there.
IV. An individual does not have a fixed
				  address (e.g., individual is homeless).
Eligible individuals who move out of Maine, intend to
					 remain out of state, and are applying for Medicaid in that state, remain
					 eligible until the other state determines eligibility.
Section 4.1:
Children
For purposes of residency a child is any individual under
					 the age of 21. A dependent child is a resident of the state where the
					 parent/caretaker relative resides. An independent child is a resident of the
					 state where they reside with an intent to remain indefinitely.
An individual under age 21 who is a full-time student in
					 the State of Maine will not be considered a resident of Maine if each of the
					 following conditions exist:
I. Neither
				  of the individual's parents reside in the State of Maine;
II. The individual is claimed as a tax
				  dependent by someone who resides in a state other than Maine; and
III. The individual is applying for coverage
				  on their own behalf.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 2 - BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA › Section 144-332-2-5 - SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
All individuals applying for Medicaid coverage are required
					 to have a Social Security number or proof of having applied for one,
					 except:
I. Undocumented
				  noncitizens;
II. Individuals with a
				  religious exemption; or
III. A
				  child who is born to a mother covered by Medicaid at the time of their birth.
				  By the time the child turns one a Social Security number or proof of having
				  applied for one, must be provided.
All individuals applying for Medicaid coverage are asked to
					 provide their Social Security number at the time of application.
Except as noted in Paragraphs I-III of this section, an
					 applicant seeking benefits is required to furnish the Department with a Social
					 Security number. If the applicant has a Social Security number but is unable to
					 provide it, the Department must contact the Social Security Administration to
					 obtain the number.
The applicant is required to apply to the Social Security
					 Administration for a Social Security number if they do not have one. The
					 Department must assist the individual in obtaining verification necessary to
					 apply for a Social Security number. This includes obtaining documents to prove
					 date of birth, citizenship, or identity if these materials cannot be provided
					 by the individual. The Department cannot pay any costs incurred in obtaining
					 this information. The applicant or recipient must provide the Department with
					 verification that the application for a Social Security number has been made.
					 The Social Security number will be provided by the Social Security
					 Administration.
For a child born to a mother not covered by Medicaid at the
					 time of the child's birth, the Social Security number requirement must be met
					 by the first day of the second month following the month in which the child's
					 mother is discharged from the hospital.
Examples
1. A child is born on July 3. Mother leaves
				  the hospital on July 6. Application for a Social Security number for the child
				  must be completed by September 1.
2. A child is born on July 31. Mother leaves
				  the hospital on August 2. Application for a Social Security number for the
				  child must be completed by October 1.
MaineCare will not be withheld or terminated for lack of a
					 Social Security number if an individual provides verification of application
					 for a Social Security number for those requesting assistance.
MaineCare will not be withheld or terminated while
					 verification of the individual's Social Security number is being obtained from
					 the Social Security Administration.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 332 - MAINECARE ELIGIBILITY MANUAL › Part 2 - BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA › Section 144-332-2-6 - ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS TO MEDICAL PAYMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Certain individuals must assign their rights to payment for
					 medical care from any third party to the Department of Health and Human
					 Services and cooperate in obtaining these medical payments. This is done by a
					 referral to the Third-Party Liability (TPL) Unit.
Section 6.1:
Who Must Comply
I. Parents or caretaker relatives applying on
				  behalf of themselves and their children;
II. Individuals age 18 or over who are
				  applying on their own behalf; and
III. Individuals under age 18 who are
				  applying on their own behalf who are married or in the military.
This provision does not apply to individuals who are
					 pregnant, or those receiving only the Medicare Savings Program or one of the
					 State funded benefits listed in Section
					 1 of this part.