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Department
of Human Services Families
First Online Policy Manual Authorization of Grants |
Revised: |
32.3 |
DESIGNATION OF PROTECTIVE PAYEE |
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The protective payee is an individual who
has access to the AUs cash benefits.
He/she is responsible for and expected to use the cash grant for the
benefit of the child(ren)
and to act for the caretaker in relation to the child. The protective payee may be related or
unrelated and may live in the home or apart from the AU. ·
If an
assistance unit has a protective payee, Benefit Security Cards are mailed to
both the payee and the caretaker.
However, only the protective payee will have access to the cash benefits. ·
No employee
of DHS may serve as a protective payee. ·
It is also
not possible for a business to be designated as a protective payee. This is because the Benefit Security Card
must be issued in an individual’s name, and that individual will be responsible
for activating the card and accessing the benefits. A Protective Payee will be named: ·
If the
individual applying for Families First has a guardian, the guardian will be
named payee for the grant. ·
If a child
who has a legal guardian is living in the home with a relative within the
specific degree of relationship, the guardian will be named payee for the AU. ·
When the
caretaker is a minor under age 14, or is a minor deemed in need of a
protective payee. ·
In emergency
situations that will not exceed a three-month period. When an emergency situation becomes known,
the caseworker will: -
Determine
the nature of the emergency, the whereabouts of the caretaker and the
children, and the name, telephone number, and address of the person reporting
the emergency. -
Secure the
name of a protective payee (from the caretaker, if possible). -
Determine
continued eligibility for the AU and make any necessary changes. -
Refer the
case to Child Protective Services, if appropriate. -
Set an
expected change within three months to determine the circumstances of the AU. |
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