(A)What is the
recertification process?
The recertification process is a periodic review and
confirmation that the assistance group continues to meet all of the eligibility
requirements of the program that benefits are being issued.
(B)When is a
recertification of eligibility required?
(1)Every twelve
months for Ohio works first (OWF) assistance groups not included in paragraph (B)(5)
of this rule.
(2)Four, five, six
or twelve months for OWF assistance groups who are:
(a)Expecting a
change that would make them ineligible to receive cash assistance;
(b)Migrant farm
workers; or
(c)Homeless.
(3)Twenty-four
months for child only assistance groups receiving OWF.
(4)The inability
to complete the recertification within the prescribed length of time shall not
interfere with the prompt payment of benefits or be the basis for termination
unless the assistance group fails to cooperate with the recertification.
(5)OWF assistance
groups under a three-tier sanction who sign the JFS 03804 "Ohio Works
First/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Sanction Compliance
Agreement" or the statewide automated eligibility system generated
equivalent form and when it is received by the county agency on or before the
last day of the sanction period as described in rule 5101:1-3-15 of the
Administrative Code are not required to complete a recertification.
(C)What is the
responsibility of the county agency in the recertification process?
The county agency is responsible for:
(1)Conducting an
interview;
(2)Informing the
assistance group of its required involvement and cooperation in the
recertification process;
(3)Providing
assistance in securing verifications and completing the voter registration
forms when requested;
(4)Providing an
interpreter at no charge to assistance groups with limited English proficiency;
(5)Obtaining
verification of information that is new, has changed or is subject to change;
(6)Reviewing basic
eligibility factors and explaining rights and reporting responsibilities;
(7)Completing the
recertification in a timely manner;
(8)Updating all
files upon completion of the recertification process; and
(9)Complying with
rule 5101:9-2-02 of the Administrative Code and the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) (2008) plan adopted by the county agency in accordance with rule
5101:9-2-02 of the Administrative Code. This includes, but is not limited to,
providing the assistance group with an explanation of their rights under the
ADA and offering additional screening to any work eligible individual that
discloses, has, or appears to have a physical or mental condition that
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(D)How is a
recertification completed?
(1)The county
agency shall conduct a recertification with a member of the assistance group or
its authorized representative through:
(a)Telephone
interview; or
(b)Face-to-face
interview.
(2)Telephone interview
(a)A telephone
interview may be conducted instead of a face-to-face interview.
(b)The county
agency does not need to determine whether a hardship exists.
(c)The telephone
interview notice shall be mailed in advance with the date, time and telephone
number that the county agency worker will use to contact the assistance group.
(d)The county
agency worker will gather the same information and verifications and take the
same actions during the telephone interview as during a face-to-face interview.
(e)Once completed,
the county agency worker shall provide the assistance group the following
documents:
(i)JFS 07501 "Program Enrollment and
Benefit Information";
(ii)(i) An application as defined in rule
5101:1-2-01 of the Administrative Code; and
(iii)(ii) JFS 07217 "Voter Registration Notice of
Rights and Declination" or the statewide automated eligibility system
generated equivalent.
(f)For statewide
automated eligibility system purposes, the signature date is the date that the
county agency receives the signed JFS 07204 or its telephonic or electronic
equivalent.
(g)To expedite the
recertification process, the county agency may send the documents identified in
paragraph (D)(2)(e) of this rule with the interview appointment letter.
(h)The recertification
is not considered complete until all of the required documents are returned by
the assistance group excluding the JFS 07501 and
the JFS 07217 that areis
not required to be returned. This includes all of the documents listed on the
JFS 07105 "Application/Reapplication Verification Request Checklist".
(3)Face-to-face
interview
(a)The county
agency shall conduct a face-to-face interview when:
(i)The assistance
group or authorized representative requests a face-to-face interview;
(ii)The assistance
group or authorized representative does not have a telephone; or
(iii)The county
agency worker determines that it is appropriate in order to resolve eligibility
determination issues for the assistance group.
(b)When the
recertification interview is conducted as a face-to-face interview, the
provisions described in paragraphs (D)(2)(e) and (D)(2)(h) of this rule are
applicable.
(4)Availability of
the statewide automated eligibility system
When the statewide automated eligibility system is down or unavailable
for an extended period of time, the JFS 01846, "Case Worksheet: Cash, Food
Stamps and Medical Assistance Interview" shall be used.
(E)When can an OWF
assistance group that has already been approved have their established
eligibility period adjusted to align with SNAP?
(1)When the
assistance group applies for OWF within a certification period for SNAP, the
OWF eligibility period may be adjusted to align with the certification dates
already established for SNAP.
(2)When the
assistance group has already been approved for OWF and applies for SNAP, the
OWF eligibility period may be terminated early and a new eligibility period may
be established.
(F)What is
considered a failure to cooperate in the recertification process?
Failure to cooperate in the recertification process and the
verification requirements shall result in the termination of OWF. Failure
occurs:
(1)When the
information/verification is not provided after the county agency properly
advised what information/verification is needed to determine eligibility
provided no request for assistance in obtaining information/verification is
received by the county agency;
(2)When the county
agency is not given necessary information to assist in obtaining the
verification needed to determine eligibility; or
(3)When the
assistance group fails to participate in a scheduled recertification interview.
(G) Reinstatement of
benefits
(1)County agencies
can reinstate benefits for assistance groups that have terminated for failure
to provide required verifications or take a required action.
(2)The county
agency shall reopen an assistance group that has been proposed for termination
without requiring a new application when the required verifications are
provided or actions are taken within thirty days of the benefit termination
date.
(3)The county
agency shall prorate the assistance group's benefits beginning the day the
verifications were received or the action was taken.
(4)The assistance
group has the option to refuse the pro-rated benefit.
Effective: 10/1/2023
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 6/1/2025
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 09/21/2023
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5101.02, 5101.49, 5107.03, 5107.05
Rule Amplifies: 5101.02, 5107.05, 5107.16
Prior Effective Dates: 08/01/1975, 10/01/1975, 12/31/1977,
09/01/1982, 09/24/1983, 08/01/1984, 10/20/1984, 11/01/1984, 12/01/1984 (Emer.),
02/10/1985, 08/01/1986 (Emer.), 10/03/1986, 10/01/1987 (Emer.), 12/24/1987,
04/01/1988 (Emer.), 06/30/1988, 07/01/1988 (Emer.), 09/01/1988, 09/24/1988,
10/01/1988 (Emer.), 12/20/1988, 12/01/1989, 04/01/1991 (Emer.), 06/01/1991,
10/01/1991 (Emer.), 12/01/1991, 04/01/1992, 07/01/1992, 01/01/1993, 05/01/1993,
03/01/1994 (Emer.), 04/18/1994, 01/01/1995, 07/01/1995, 05/01/1997, 10/01/1997 (Emer.),
10/30/1997, 07/01/1998, 10/01/1999, 05/04/2000, 05/02/2005, 07/01/2008,
05/01/2009, 01/01/2010, 04/01/2010, 07/01/2011, 10/01/2014, 10/01/2016,
01/01/2019, 06/01/2020