Section R6-13-107. Agency Responsibilities at the Initial Interview

A.      During the initial interview, a Department representative shall:

1.        Discuss how the applicant and the other assistance unit members previously met their needs and why they now need financial assistance;

2.        Provide the applicant with written information explain- ing:

a.         The terms, conditions, and obligations of the TC program;

b.        Any additional required verification information that the Department requires the applicant to provide in order to conclude the eligibility evaluation;

c.         The Department’s practice of exchanging eligibility and income information through the State Verifica- tion and Exchange System (SVES);

d.        The coverage and scope of the TC program;

e.         Related services that may be available to the appli- cant;

f.         The applicant’s rights, including the right to appeal adverse action;

g.        The requirement to report all changes, as specified in R6-13-138, within 10 calendar days from the date the change becomes known; and

h.        Other benefits for which any person in the assistance unit is potentially eligible and the requirement that any person in the assistance unit apply for and, if eli- gible, accept those other benefits;

3.        Inform the applicant that the Department shall assist the applicant in obtaining required verification at the request of the applicant, when the verification provided by the applicant is insufficient to complete an eligibility deter- mination, or when the required verification is difficult or impossible for the applicant to obtain;

4.        Review the penalties for perjury and fraud, as printed on the application;

5.        Review any verification information provided with the application or at the initial interview;

6.        Review all ongoing reporting requirements and the poten- tial consequences for failure to make timely reports, including overpayment liability; and

7.        Offer an applicant who is a United States citizen the opportunity to register to vote and provide the applicant with a voter registration form if requested.

B.       The Department shall obtain independent verification or cor- roboration of information provided by the applicant when required by law, or when necessary to determine eligibility or benefit level.

C.      The Department may verify or corroborate information by any reasonable means, including:

1.        Contacting third parties, such as employers;

2.        Asking the applicant to provide documented verification, such as billing statements or pay stubs;

3.        Asking the applicant to provide a signed written state- ment that describes facts specific to an eligibility factor when documented or collateral verification is not avail- able;

4.        Conducting a computer data match through SVES; and

5.        Referring a case to the Department’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) for investigation when:

a.         The Department has a valid reason to suspect that an act has been committed for the purpose of deception, misrepresentation, or concealment of information relevant to a determination of eligibility or the amount of a benefit payment; or

b.        The Department has a valid reason to suspect the commission of theft or fraud related to TC eligibility or payments, or any conduct listed in A.R.S. § 46- 215.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 18 A.A.R.

1175, effective June 30, 2012 (Supp. 12-2).