3.0.6 REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY PERIOD
 

All applicants and recipients must be given a reasonable period of time to present documents establishing that they are U.S citizens or nationals, and their identity.  This newly designated time frame for purposes of citizenship documentation is called the “reasonable opportunity period.”

3.0.6.1 Applicants

An individual applying for MA currently receives the 30 day application processing period as the reasonable opportunity period in which to provide valid citizenship and/or identification verification.  However, the reasonable opportunity period can be extended if s/he is trying to provide the necessary documentation, or has requested assistance from the IM worker.  His/her application filing date will be honored if the necessary documentation is ultimately obtained.  Unlike the policy for recipients, eligibility for MA is not granted to applicants until the requirement is met.

3.0.6.2 Recipients

The "reasonable opportunity period" for recipients begins when they are notified of the new requirement. At or about the same time that they are notified of their upcoming review, they will receive the newly developed Citizenship Documentation Requirement letter (English), (Spanish). This reasonable opportunity period starts with the receipt of the letter and ends at the end of the review month. As such, the reasonable opportunity period for recipients will be about forty-five days. Recipients making a good faith effort to secure the necessary documentation, but who are unable to do so during the reasonable opportunity period, may have their MA eligibility extended, even though the documentation requirement has not been satisfied.

If the recipient requests it, the IM worker must provide assistance to secure the necessary documentation. MA eligibility may continue for as long as the recipient is deemed by the IM worker to be making a good faith effort to comply.

This page last updated in Release Number: 07-07

Release Date: 08/30/07

Effective Date: 08/30/07