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    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesAdministrative/Operational PolicyConnecticut DSS Emergency Housing Update | OpenPay…
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    ModifiedConnecticut Department of Social ServicesPolicy UP-10-05

    Eligibility for Emergency Housing

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    This policy governs when an assistance unit may receive emergency housing as a special need because it cannot remain in permanent housing. It applies to eligible recipients of Temporary Family Assistance, State Supplement, and AABD benefits, subject to qualifying housing-loss circumstances, application deadlines, duration limits, and assistance-unit requirements.

    Policy Summary
    PayerConnecticut Department of Social Services
    PolicyEligibility for Emergency Housing
    Policy CodePolicy UP-10-05
    Change TypeModified
    Effective DateJun 1, 2010
    Next Review DateNot specified
    Key ActionVerify the qualifying housing-loss reason and authorize emergency housing only when all eligibility requirements are met.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    An individual eligible for Temporary Family Assistance or State Supplement benefits may qualify for emergency housing immediately when a foreclosure judgment is entered.

    ImmediateForeclosure eligibility
    45 daysApplication deadline
    60 daysMaximum benefit duration
    1

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    Annual occurrence limit
    $14/night/personPrivate nonprofit shelter maximum

    Emergency Housing Eligibility

    Emergency Housing Eligibility

    Emergency housing is a special need when ALL of the following conditions are met:

    ALL of the following

    • The assistance unit cannot remain in permanent housing because of one of the qualifying circumstances listed below.
    • The assistance unit cannot move into permanent housing on the same day the existing housing is lost.
    • The assistance unit is not receiving relocation assistance under the State Uniform Relocation Assistance Act, despite having made reasonable efforts to apply. For this purpose, receiving relocation assistance means being placed by the town welfare agency in temporary or permanent housing.

    • ONE of the following qualifying housing-loss circumstances

      • A judgment was entered against the assistance unit in a summary process action under Chapter 832 of the Connecticut General Statutes, unless the action was based on criminal activity of the assistance unit.
      • The recipient left the current housing arrangement to escape domestic violence.
      • A judgment was entered against the assistance unit in a foreclosure action under Chapter 846 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

      • Lead-related relocation

        • The assistance unit is required to relocate by local health or building officials.

        • The child has either

          • A blood lead level equal to or greater than 20 micrograms per deciliter.
          • Any other abnormal body burden of lead.
        • The local director of health determined that the source of the lead poisoning is the assistance unit's residence.
      • A catastrophic event rendered the current housing uninhabitable, as determined by appropriate state or local officials or by the Department.
      • The assistance unit was ordered to vacate current housing by a local code enforcement official.

      • The assistance unit left a shared living arrangement because the primary tenant

        • Is in the process of being evicted.
        • Received a preliminary notice from the landlord under section 47a-15 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
        • Received a notice to quit due to termination of a rental agreement for lapse of time.
        • Is engaged in criminal activity.
      • The assistance unit was illegally locked out of the current living arrangement by the landlord and filed a complaint with the police concerning the lockout.
    The application for the special need of emergency housing must be made within 45 days of the loss of permanent housing.Within 45 days of housing loss
    If the assistance unit is receiving relocation assistance, deny the emergency housing request and send a notice of denial.
    If the assistance unit has not applied for required relocation assistance, require it to apply and confirm with the local official that it has applied. If the unit does not cooperate, deny the application and send a notice of denial. If the application is pending, continue evaluating the emergency housing request subject to the applicable limits.

    Assistance Unit Requirements

    As a condition of eligibility for the emergency housing special need, the assistance unit must meet ALL of the following requirements:

    ALL of the following

    • Agree to make reasonable efforts to locate permanent housing.
    • Accept a Licensed Home for the Aged as the emergency housing site unless the physical limitations of the recipient prevent acceptance.
    • Accept less costly, reasonable alternative emergency housing when requested to do so by the Department.
    • Accept permanent housing if it was constructed, renovated, or rehabilitated with state or federal financial assistance.

    Emergency Housing and Emergency Telephone Installation Eligibility

    Emergency housing assistance, including applicable emergency telephone installation eligibility, is subject to the following eligibility, participation, timing, limitation, and payment requirements:

    Emergency housing eligibility and administration

    • The assistance unit must satisfy the qualifying housing-loss circumstances, application timing, and relocation-assistance requirements described above.
    • The assistance unit must not have used its maximum amount of emergency housing days. Determine the last date of eligibility based on the applicable 60-day limit and explain the time restrictions to the assistance unit.

    • Coverage limitation

      • Lead poisoning with a child receiving chelation treatment

        • The emergency housing need results from lead poisoning described in the qualifying lead-related circumstance.

    Limits, Rates, and Administrative Codes

    Administrative payment routing codemixed
    ESPuller code for routing a payment check to the Regional Office.
    Emergency-housing application deadline
    Application deadlineWithin 45 days of the loss of permanent housing
    Applies toThe special need of emergency housing
    TriggerLoss of permanent housing
    Annual occurrence limit
    Annual limitNot more than one occurrence during a calendar year
    Applies toEligible individuals entering emergency housing
    Counting rule

    Determination and Payment Procedures

    Documentation Required

    Verify Qualifying Housing-Loss Reason

    Determine why the assistance unit is requesting emergency housing and verify that the stated reason prevents the unit from remaining in its present housing. Authorize only when the reason is an acceptable qualifying circumstance under policy.

    • Verify the housing-loss reason and supporting facts, including the applicable official order, judgment, determination, or police complaint.
    • Qualifying reasons include a non-criminal summary-process judgment; leaving to escape domestic violence; a foreclosure judgment; relocation required because of qualifying lead poisoning; a catastrophic event making the housing uninhabitable; a local code-enforcement order to vacate; departure from a shared living arrangement under specified eviction, notice-to-quit, or criminal-activity circumstances; or an illegal landlord lockout reported to police.
    Prior Authorization

    Verify Relocation Assistance Status

    Determine whether the assistance unit is receiving relocation assistance under the State Uniform Relocation Assistance Act. If not, require the unit to apply and confirm with the local official that the application was made; continued eligibility depends on reasonable cooperation while the relocation-assistance determination is pending.

    Policy Terms

    Receiving relocation assistance
    MeaningBeing placed by the applicable town or local welfare agency in temporary or permanent housing
    Agency involvedThe town welfare agency or applicable local welfare agency
    Housing includedTemporary or permanent housing
    Occurrence
    Occurrence ruleMoving from one emergency-housing location and subsequently entering another emergency-housing location is treated as one occurrence
    First locationAn emergency-housing location from which the assistance unit moves
    Subsequent location
    Policy Summary
    PayerConnecticut Department of Social Services
    PolicyEligibility for Emergency Housing
    Policy CodePolicy UP-10-05
    Change TypeModified
    Effective DateJun 1, 2010
    Next Review DateNot specified
    Key ActionVerify the qualifying housing-loss reason and authorize emergency housing only when all eligibility requirements are met.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Emergency Housing EligibilityLimits, Rates, and Administrative CodesDetermination and Payment ProceduresPolicy Terms
    The child is receiving chelation treatment.
  1. Total assistance for all occurrences does not exceed 80 days in a calendar year.Maximum 80 days per calendar year

  2. All other families

    • The assistance unit receives this special need for not more than one occurrence during a calendar year.
    • A move from one emergency housing location followed by entry into another emergency housing location constitutes one occurrence.
  3. If the assistance unit is in a hotel or motel, the emergency housing special need is available only when the inability to remain in permanent housing resulted from a catastrophic event.
  4. The Department may assist with locating permanent housing; refer the case, with available information, to a DSS Social Worker for that assistance. Make a DCF referral when there is evidence of danger to minor children as described in policy.
  5. Authorize emergency housing payments only when the assistance unit qualifies for the special need.

  6. Payment method

    • Issue the special need payment as a vendor payment.
    • Add the amount to the basic need payment.
  7. Have the assistance unit and the shelter, hotel, or motel manager complete form W-1479 to document the selected payment method.
  8. For AABD benefits issued by monthly check, inform the recipient that the check may be picked up at the Regional Office or mailed to the emergency housing address. Use the ES puller code when the check will be routed to the Regional Office; contact Central Office if the emergency housing mailing address is outside the Regional Office's service area.
  9. Discontinue the special need payment after proper notice if the assistance unit begins receiving relocation assistance. If relocation-assistance eligibility remains pending, contact the town each month before authorizing another payment.

  10. Emergency telephone installation eligibility

    • No separate emergency telephone installation eligibility criteria are provided in the supplied policy source; apply the Department's applicable emergency telephone installation policy and documentation requirements.
    11. A move from one emergency-housing location followed by entry into another location constitutes one occurrence
    Maximum benefit duration
    Maximum eligibility period60 days
    Determination requirementDetermine the last date of eligibility based on the 60-day limit
    Notice requirementThe eligibility notice must include the date beyond which eligibility cannot continue
    Lead blood-level criterion
    Blood-lead thresholdEqual to or greater than 20 micrograms per deciliter
    Affected personA child in the assistance unit or under the unit’s supervision
    Additional requirementThe local director of health must determine that the residence is the source of the lead poisoning
    Emergency housing application deadline
    Application deadlineWithin 45 days of the loss of permanent housing
    Application typeApplication for the special need of emergency housing
    Deadline triggerLoss of permanent housing
    Lead-poisoning emergency housing annual duration limit
    Annual duration limitTotal assistance may not exceed 80 days in any calendar year
    Qualifying caseEmergency housing required as a result of lead poisoning
    Treatment conditionA child must be receiving chelation treatment
    General emergency housing annual occurrence limit
    Annual occurrence limitNot more than one occurrence during a calendar year
    Applies toAll other families requiring emergency housing
    ExceptionLead-poisoning cases involving a child receiving chelation treatment may receive more than one occurrence, subject to the 80-day annual limit
    Private nonprofit shelter maximum
    Payment basisThe actual amount charged
    Maximum$14.00 per night per person
    Eligible locationPrivate nonprofit shelters
    Other emergency housing maximum
    Payment basisThe per diem rate the provider would normally charge the general public
    Maximum$42.00 per room per night
    Eligible locationsLocations other than private nonprofit shelters
    Telephone rental product charge
    Charge typeOne-time product charge for telephone rental
    MaximumUp to $5.00
    Payment statusRecognized as an emergency telephone installation charge
    Telephone installation labor
    Charge typeTelephone installation labor
    MaximumUp to $23.00
    Payment statusRecognized as an emergency telephone installation charge
    Telephone jack
    Charge typeOne telephone jack
    MaximumUp to $4.00
    Payment statusRecognized as an emergency telephone installation charge
    • Deny emergency housing if the unit is receiving relocation assistance.
    • Require application for relocation assistance and verify the application with the local official.
    • If the unit has applied but eligibility is pending, contact the town each month before authorizing another payment.
    Denial Risk

    Issue Denial When Requirements Are Not Met

    Deny the emergency-housing request when the housing-loss reason is not acceptable, the unit is receiving relocation assistance, the unit fails to cooperate with the required relocation-assistance application, or the unit has exhausted its maximum days. Send the assistance unit a notice of denial for each denial determination.

    • Deny and notify when the stated reason does not prevent the unit from remaining in present housing or is not an allowable reason.
    • Deny and notify when relocation assistance is being received or when the unit does not cooperate with applying for it.
    • Deny and notify when the applicable occurrence or duration limit has been exhausted.
    Prior Authorization

    Authorize and Notify Eligible Units

    For an eligible assistance unit, determine the last date of emergency-housing eligibility using the 60-day limit, explain the policy and time restrictions, and explain that the Department may help locate permanent housing. Send a notice of eligibility showing the date beyond which eligibility cannot continue, then authorize emergency-housing payments.

    • Include the last eligible date in the eligibility notice.
    • Authorize payments only after the unit qualifies for the special need.
    • If AABD benefits are issued by monthly check, tell the recipient the check may be picked up at the regional office or mailed to the emergency-housing address.
    Documentation Required

    Document Payment Method

    Ask the assistance unit and the shelter, hotel, or motel manager to document whether the special-need payment will be issued as a vendor payment or added to the basic-need payment. Use form W-614 to record the payment method selected by the assistance unit.

    • Document the selected payment method before authorizing payment.
    • For vendor payment, obtain the required provider or facility information and payment details.
    • For payment with basic needs, document that the amount will be added to the recipient's basic-need payment.
    Note

    Support Transition to Permanent Housing

    Require the assistance unit to make reasonable efforts to locate permanent housing and to accept appropriate housing options. Refer the case, with all available information, to a DSS Social Worker for help locating permanent housing; refer to DCF when there is evidence of danger to minor children.

    • The unit must agree to make reasonable efforts to locate permanent housing.
    • The unit must accept a Licensed Home for the Aged as the emergency-housing site unless the recipient's physical limitations prevent it.
    • The unit must accept less costly, reasonable alternative emergency housing when requested by the Department.
    • The unit must accept permanent housing constructed, renovated, or rehabilitated with state or federal financial assistance.
    Billing Rule

    Route Emergency-Housing Payments

    When a monthly AABD check will be routed to the Regional Office, use the ES puller code. Contact Central Office when the emergency-housing mailing address is outside the area served by the Regional Office.

    • Use the ES puller code for checks pulled for Regional Office routing.
    • Escalate to Central Office for an emergency-housing mailing address outside the Regional Office service area.
    Documentation Required

    Verify Qualifying Emergency Housing Circumstances

    Verify that the assistance unit cannot remain in permanent housing for a listed qualifying reason, cannot move into permanent housing on the same day the housing is lost, and is not receiving relocation assistance despite reasonable efforts to apply. Obtain or confirm the required official determinations and other supporting documentation.

    • Qualifying circumstances include a non-criminal summary-process judgment, domestic-violence escape, foreclosure judgment, qualifying lead-poisoning relocation, catastrophic event, local code-enforcement order, specified shared-living displacement, or illegal lockout reported to police.
    • For lead poisoning, verify the qualifying child's blood-lead level or other abnormal body burden and the local director of health's determination that the residence is the source.
    • Verify that the unit is not able to enter permanent housing on the day the current housing is lost.
    Prior Authorization

    Apply Eligibility and Participation Requirements

    Apply the emergency-housing application deadline, occurrence and duration limits, and required housing-location conditions before authorizing assistance.

    • The application must be made within 45 days after the loss of permanent housing.
    • Families requiring emergency housing because of qualifying lead poisoning, when a child is receiving chelation treatment, may receive more than one occurrence in a calendar year, but total assistance cannot exceed 80 days in that calendar year.
    • All other families may receive emergency housing for no more than one occurrence in a calendar year and no more than the applicable maximum duration, including the 60-day eligibility limit in the determination procedures.
    • If the unit is in a hotel or motel, assistance is available only when the inability to remain in permanent housing results from a catastrophic event.
    Billing Rule

    Apply Emergency Housing Payment Standards

    Apply the emergency-housing payment standard based on the placement. For a private nonprofit shelter, pay the actual amount charged up to $14.00 per person per night. For another location, pay the provider's usual charge to the general public up to $42.00 per room per night.

    • For an apartment used as emergency housing, apply the $42.00 maximum regardless of the number of rooms.
    • For a hotel or motel, apply the maximum on a per-room basis and do not pay for more rooms than the minimum required by local fire codes for the number of assistance-unit members.
    Prior Authorization

    Process Emergency Telephone Installation

    Recognize telephone installation as a non-recurrent special need only when an assistance-unit member's chronic physical or mental condition, resulting from a severe injury or illness, requires immediate emergency telephone access and there is no operational telephone in the residence. Recognize installation charges only; ongoing monthly service charges are not covered.

    • Document the qualifying chronic physical or mental condition and the absence of an operational telephone.
    • Confirm that the condition requires immediate access to a telephone in an emergency.
    • Do not authorize ongoing monthly telephone charges as a special need.
    Billing Rule

    Apply Telephone Installation Payment Limits

    Limit the emergency telephone-installation payment to the approved charges and maximums for the required service components.

    • Standard residential line service connection charge.
    • One-time telephone-rental product charge up to $5.00.
    • Labor cost up to $23.00.
    • One telephone jack up to $4.00.
    Another emergency-housing location entered afterward
    Standard of assistance
    DefinitionThe per diem rate the provider normally charges the general public, including taxes and customary charges
    Private nonprofit shelterThe rate paid under the General Assistance Program
    Licensed Home for the AgedThe rate established by the Department
    Qualifying emergency housing circumstance
    DefinitionA circumstance that prevents the assistance unit from remaining in permanent housing and qualifies under the emergency-housing provisions
    ExamplesSummary-process judgment, domestic violence, foreclosure, lead-poisoning relocation, catastrophic event, or a local code-enforcement order to vacate
    Additional examplesLeaving a qualifying shared-living arrangement or being illegally locked out by the landlord after filing a police complaint
    Hotel or motel emergency housing limitation
    LimitationHotel or motel emergency housing may be included only when the inability to remain in permanent housing is caused by a catastrophic event
    Qualifying causeA catastrophic event
    Covered settingA hotel or motel
    Qualifying physical or mental condition
    Required conditionThe physical or mental condition must require immediate access to a telephone in case of an emergency
    Duration and causeThe disorder or disability must be chronic and result from a severe injury or illness
    Telephone availabilityThere must be no operational telephone in the unit’s residence