Q&A
HASA recertification process and case closures
0:42:18
ยท
151 sec
This chapter covers the HASA recertification process and reasons for case closures. Jacqueline Dudley explains that HASA does not have automatic case closings for failure to recertify. The program sends mail notifications and makes phone calls to remind clients about recertification. However, some cases are closed due to failure to recertify or excessive income, particularly related to Social Security increases.
- HASA does not have automatic case closings for failure to recertify
- Clients are notified by mail and phone about recertification deadlines
- 405 cases (33%) were closed due to failure to recertify in a recent reporting period
- Cases closed due to excessive income, particularly from Social Security increases, are being analyzed for potential policy adjustments
Diana Ayala
0:42:18
Okay.
0:42:19
And there were eleven hundred and, ninety eight cases that were closed during that same, reporting period.
0:42:25
Of these, four hundred and five or thirty three percent will close due to failure to recertify.
0:42:29
What is the recertification process for HASA cases, and what outreach is done to ensure that clients are aware of the need to recertify and can do so in a timely manner?
Jacqueline Dudley
0:42:38
Well, at in HASA, one of the good things that in our program, we don't have automatic, case closings for failure to recertify.
0:42:47
If a client does not recertify in a timely fashion and they've sent out mail notifications by mail to, notify them of their recertification.
0:42:50
They notify them of their recertification date, we also because we have case management staff, we also make phone calls to the client to to to remind them that, hey, you know, your case is gonna close.
0:43:04
You need to come in and recertify.
0:43:06
But sometimes clients unbeknownst to us, they may have relocated to another jurisdiction or something else maybe going on that doesn't allow them to complete their recertification, but it's not automatically closed by a computer at a certain date.
0:43:21
We we conduct outreach.
0:43:23
But certainly at a certain point, if we continue to be unsuccessful, we we, you know, by statement law, we have to close those cases.
0:43:31
But, you know, if they reappear and show up at any time, we can certainly work with them to reopen reopen those, those cases.
Diana Ayala
0:43:39
Well, 333 case cases were closed due to excessive, income, of which eighty four were for excessive excess income with Social Security.
0:43:47
Do you know how many of these cases had excess income of less than $5 or or less or above the income requirement?
John Rojas
0:43:55
We have, our our team is crunching those numbers.
0:43:59
I can say that, you know, in recent years, and in particular, I believe two years ago, our our our all individuals reaching Social Security were fortunate to have larger than usual increases.
0:44:09
Actually, I believe in one year, it was over 8%.
0:44:12
Unfortunately, that does when income does increase, it it may make you ineligible for cash assistance, based on your income.
0:44:20
So but we are crunching those numbers for those 84 and, we'll formally respond with the breakdown at the levels you push by the five to 10.
Diana Ayala
0:44:29
Okay.
0:44:30
Is this is is DSS able to request a waiver for clients with minimal access, income?
John Rojas
0:44:35
No.
0:44:35
DSS is, not able to request waivers for cash assistance clients, including HASA clients.
Diana Ayala
0:44:41
Okay.
0:44:41
I'm gonna stop asking questions now because I I have a lot of colleagues here, and I wanna make sure that they they have an opportunity to ask.
0:44:47
I'll turn it over to chair Shulman.