This regulation requires counties to assist children (and their parents or legal representatives) for whom the county is financially responsible in identifying and applying for potential financial resources, including SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, MFIP, MinnesotaCare, and other federal or state benefits. It also requires counties to offer assistance in appealing denials, suspensions, reductions, or terminations of those benefits. The rule defines the scope of 'assist' as accompanying applicants, helping complete forms, and contacting eligibility agencies, but not completing applications on their behalf.
View official source9535.4053 ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING POTENTIAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES. Assistance in obtaining potential financial resources for a child or the parent or legal representative of a child for whom the county is financially responsible and who may be eligible for benefits shall be designed to: § A. inform and offer to help the child, parent, or legal representative to apply for and obtain Supplemental Security Income, medical assistance, Medicare, SNAP, the Minnesota family investment program, and other federal benefits if appropriate; § B. if requested, assist the child or the child's parent or legal representative to apply for programs and benefits under item A; § C. if the child or the child's parent or legal representative is not eligible for the benefits in item A, inform the child or the child's parent or legal representative and offer to assist in applying for MinnesotaCare, general assistance, general assistance medical care, health services funded under section 134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), Public Law 97-248, or other benefits for which the child may be eligible. For purposes of this item and item B, "assist" means accompanying the child and the child's parent or legal representative to the agency through which application is made, to obtain and help the child or the child's parent or legal representative complete forms required to apply for the benefits, and to contact agencies that determine eligibility for benefits about the possible eligibility of the child or the child's parent or legal representative. Assist does not mean the provider will complete the application for the child or the child's parent or legal representative; § D. offer, and, if requested, assist the child or the child's parent or legal representative in determining the process and completing the materials related to appealing a denial, suspension, reduction, or termination of benefits.