A county must adopt and run an application procedure, give applicants forms and help, explain reporting and appeal rules, decide applications within 14 days, and keep records for at least three state fiscal years.
Sec. 61.024. COUNTY APPLICATION PROCEDURE. (a) A county shall adopt an application procedure. (b) The county may use the application, documentation, and verification procedures established by the department under Sections 61.006 and 61.007 or may use a less restrictive application, documentation, or verification procedure. (c) Not later than the beginning of a state fiscal year, the county shall specify the procedure it will use during that fiscal year to verify eligibility and the documentation required to support a request for assistance and shall make a reasonable effort to notify the public of the application procedure. (d) The county shall furnish an applicant with written application forms. (e) On request of an applicant, the county shall assist the applicant in filling out forms and completing the application process. The county shall inform an applicant of the availability of assistance. (f) The county shall require an applicant to sign a written statement in which the applicant swears to the truth of the information supplied. (g) The county shall explain to the applicant that if the application is approved, the applicant must report to the county any change in income or resources that might affect the applicant's eligibility. The report must be made not later than the 14th day after the date on which the change occurs. The county shall explain the possible penalties for failure to report a change. (h) The county shall review each application and shall accept or deny the application not later than the 14th day after the date on which the county receives the completed application. (i) The county shall provide a procedure for reviewing applications and for allowing an applicant to appeal a denial of assistance. (j) The county shall provide an applicant written notification of the county's decision. If the county denies assistance, the written notification shall include the reason for the denial and an explanation of the procedure for appealing the denial. (k) The county shall maintain the records relating to an application at least until the end of the third complete state fiscal year following the date on which the application is submitted. (l) If an applicant is denied assistance, the applicant may resubmit an application at any time circumstances justify a redetermination of eligibility. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.