457.340—Application for and enrollment in a separate child health program.
(a) Application assistance.
A State must afford families an opportunity to apply for child health assistance without delay, provided that the State has not reached an approved enrollment cap, and offer assistance to families in understanding and completing applications and in obtaining any required documentation.
(b) Use of social security number.
A State may require a social security number for each individual requesting services consistent with the requirements at § 435.910(b), (e), (f), and (g) of this chapter.
(c) Notice of rights and responsibilities.
A State must inform applicants at the time of application, in writing and orally if appropriate, about the application and eligibility requirements, the time frame for determining eligibility, and the right to review of eligibility determinations as described in § 457.1130.
(d) Timely determinations of eligibility.
(1)
The agency must promptly determine eligibility and issue a notice of decision within the time standards established, except in circumstances that are beyond the agency's control.
(2)
A State must establish time standards for determining eligibility. These standards may not exceed forty-five calendar days (excluding days during which the application has been suspended, pursuant to § 457.350(f)(1) ).
(3)
In applying the time standards, the State must define “date of application” and must count each calendar day from the date of application to the day the agency mails or otherwise provides notice of its eligibility decision.
(e) Notice of decision concerning eligibility.
A State must provide each applicant or enrollee a written notice of any decision on the application or other determination concerning eligibility.
(1)
If eligibility is approved, the notice must include information on the enrollee's rights and responsibilities under the program, including the opportunity for review of matters described in § 457.1130.
(2)
If eligibility is denied, suspended or terminated, the State must provide notice in accordance with § 457.1180. In the case of a suspension or termination of eligibility, the State must provide sufficient notice to enable the child's parent or caretaker to take any appropriate actions that may be required to allow coverage to continue without interruption.
(f) Effective date of eligibility.
A State must specify a method for determining the effective date of eligibility for its separate child health program, which can be determined based on the date of application or through any other reasonable method.
[66 FR 2675, Jan. 11, 2001, as amended at 66 FR 33823, June 25, 2001]