OAR 461-135-0220
REF, REFM, and TANF Programs; COVID-19

The provisions in this rule apply to the REF, REFM, and TANF programs.

(1)

Notwithstanding OAR 461-115-0040 (Filing Date; REF, SNAP, TANF)(2), the “filing date” may be established telephonically by the Department making record of:

(a)

The name of the applicant, and their authorized representative (see OAR 461-115-0090 (Authorized Representatives; General)) if one exists,

(b) The applicant’s address,

(d) The applicant stating their full name as their signature, and

(e) The date the above occur.

(2)

Any individual may apply for REF, REFM, or TANF benefits using the Department approved “telephonic application” (see section (3) of this rule) and “narrated telephonic signature” (see section (4) of this rule) processes. An individual submitting a telephonic application must submit the application with a narrated telephonic signature.

(3)

A telephonic application is accepted if the following requirements are met:

(a) All questions on the application are answered.

(b) All information necessary to determine eligibility (see OAR 461-001-0000 (Definitions for Chapter 461)) and benefit amount is provided for each individual in the filing group (see OAR 461-110-0310 (Filing Group; Overview)).

(c) The applicant or their authorized representative provides a narrated telephonic signature as defined in this rule.

(4)

A narrated telephonic signature is accepted for an application for REF, REFM, or TANF benefits if the following requirements are met:

(a)

The “Your Rights and Responsibilities” form is reviewed and sent to the mailing address of the applicant.

(b) The following sections at the end of the application form are reviewed and sent to the mailing address of the applicant:

(A) “Information about cash benefits,”

(B) “Information about TANF program penalties,”

(D) “Information about your rights and responsibilities.”

(c)

The “Cooperating with Child Support Enforcement” form, is reviewed, including the good cause for non-cooperation with Child Support section, and sent to the mailing address of the applicant.

(d) The “Your Rights and Responsibilities While in JOBS, JOBS Plus, and Refugee Employment Services” form is sent to the mailing address of the applicant.

(e) The applicant or their authorized representative affirms that they:

(A) Have heard and understand their rights and responsibilities;

(B) Agree to their rights and responsibilities;

(D) States their full name as their signature.

(f) The Department makes record of the narrated telephonic signature.

(5)

The Department determines eligibility at least once every six months when telephonic application and narrated telephonic signature are used.

(6) The Department amends the resource limit for the REF, REFM, and TANF programs (see OAR 461-160-0015 (Resource Limits)(6) and (8)), as follows:

(a) $2,500 for a need group (see OAR 461-110-0630 (Need Group)) with every caretaker relative (see OAR 461-001-0000 (Definitions for Chapter 461)) serving an intentional program violation (see OAR 461-195-0601 (Intentional Program Violations; Defined)).

(b) $10,000 for new applicants and all other need groups (see OAR 461-110-0630 (Need Group)).

(7) In the REF program, notwithstanding the provisions in OAR 461-190-0211 (Case Plan Activities and Standards for Support Service Payments; JOBS, Pre-TANF, REF, REP, SFPSS, TANF)(1)(d) and (8), the Department may authorize payments, to be made through partner agencies, for housing, utilities, and other emergency expenses for individuals who are within 60 months of being granted an eligible noncitizen status as defined in OAR 461-120-0125 (Alien Status)(5). Eligibility for payments are subject to the following requirements:

(a) Individuals are not eligible for payments if they:

(A) Are currently enrolled in the Matching Grant program.

(B) Have received any other subsidized payment for the same expense for the same month.

(b) The income of the financial group (see OAR 461-110-0530 (Financial Group)) must have been negatively affected by COVID-19.

(c) The gross income of the financial group shall not exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty level as listed OAR 461-155-0180 (Income Standards; Not OSIP, OSIPM, QMB).

(d) The resource limit of the financial group must meet section (6) of this rule.

(e) The sum of all assistance payments under this section must not exceed $2500 per filing group (see OAR 461-110-0430 (Filing Group; REF, REFM)).

(f) Payments shall be made through partner agencies designated by the Department and are subject to availability of funding.

(8) The following provisions apply to individuals issued an immigration status listed under OAR 461-120-0125 (Alien Status)(5) between April 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020:

(a) The eight-month program eligibility limit stated in OAR 461-135-0090(4), OAR 461-135-0930 (Medical Coverage for Refugees; REFM)(3) and (6), and OAR 461-195-0621 (Intentional Program Violations; Penalties and Liability for Overpayments)(4)(c) is extended to January 31, 2021, provided:

(A) All other financial and non-financial eligibility requirements for REF are met, and

(B) The income or employability of the financial group was negatively affected by COVID-19.

(b) A filing group that establishes a filing date (see OAR 461-115-0040 (Filing Date; REF, SNAP, TANF)) between December 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, shall receive REF benefits for the months of October and November 2020 if:

(A) All financial and non-financial eligibility requirements for REF are met for the months of October and November 2020,

(B) The filing group did not already receive REF benefits for October and November 2020, and

(c) REF benefits shall be categorized as client error overpayment (see OAR 461-195-0501 (Definitions and Categories of Overpayments)) for any month in which both REF benefits and unemployment compensation benefits (see OAR 461-145-0550 (Unemployment Compensation Benefit)) were issued. An overpayment created under this provision will be handled in accordance with OAR 461-195-0301 (Definitions) to OAR 461-195-0350 (Procedure Where Injured Recipient is a Minor).

Source: Rule 461-135-0220 — REF, REFM, and TANF Programs; COVID-19, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=461-135-0220.

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OAR 461-135-0220 REF, REFM, and TANF Programs; COVID-19

(1)

(a)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(a)

(c)

(5)

OAR 461-135-0220
REF, REFM, and TANF Programs; COVID-19