Drug Testing of

Temporary Cash

Assistance Applicants

Implementation date July 1, 2011

Objectives

Identify:

law that establishes drug testing policy

drug testing target group

drug testing process/procedures

system procedures

Drug Testing Introduction

Section 414.0652, F. S. requires drug testing as a condition of eligibility for TCA adult applicants

Drug testing does not apply to: Food Assistance or Medicaid Programs

Refugee Cash Assistance (RAP) Program

Relative caregiver applicant

Pregnant women with no children

Children under 18

Minor teen parent applicants residing with a parent, legal guardian or other caretaker relative

Caretaker Relative (child only case)

Technically ineligible household members (ex. ineligible noncitizens, SSI recipients, etc.)

Applicants approved for a diversion payment (Up-front or Relocation)

Individuals added to an existing TCA case (ex. other parent moves into home)

The drug testing policy is effective July 1, 2011

Individuals Subject to

Drug Testing

TCA parent applicants (both parents for two parent

cases) included in the cash assistance group

Caretaker relative applicants included in the cash

assistance group

Minor teen parent applicants not residing with a

parent, legal guardian or other caretaker relative

These individuals must meet all other factors of

eligibility before drug testing.

Individuals Subject to

Drug Testing (Key Point)

These individuals must meet

all other factors of eligibility

before drug testing.

Drug Testing Applicant Information

Applicants notified of drug testing: Requirements – (“Drug Testing Information

Acknowledgement and Consent Release” CF-ES 2361)

Drug testing sites http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/samh/SubstanceAbuse/drugtestsites.shtml

Licensed substance abuse treatment centershttp://dasis3.samhsa.gov/Prxlnput.aspx?STATE=Florida

Applicants: Are responsible for the cost

Who test negative will have their first month’s benefits increased by the amount paid for the drug test(s)

Authorize the release of the test results to ACCESS

“Drug Testing Information Acknowledgement and

Consent Release” CF-ES 2361

Drug Testing Process

Drug testing may involve a three step process:

1. Initial screening

2. Confirmatory test

3. Medical Review Officer

Initial screening – if initial screening test shows no

drugs present, no further testing is required. Results

are reported to ACCESS.

Drug Testing Process

Confirmatory test – if initial screening test shows

drugs present, the applicant may choose to have a

confirmatory test to rule out a false positive.

If applicant has the confirmation test:

results of test are reported to ACCESS.

If results of the confirmation test are positive.

ACCESS will be notified of the specific drug(s)

that are present.

If applicant does not choose to have the

confirmation test: results of the initial screening

test are reported to ACCESS.

Drug Testing Process

Medical Review Officer (MRO) – if the confirmation

test shows drug(s) present, the MRO will review and

verify if the use of the drug(s) is legitimate or not. The

results of the MRO findings will be communicated to

ACCESS.

Drug Testing Results

Negative test results:

Applicants who test negative will have TCA

benefits approved if all other factors of eligibility

are met

Applicants who test negative will have their first

month’s benefits increased by the amount paid for

the drug test(s) via an auxiliary (aux code 971)

Drug Testing Results

Positive test results:

Applicants who test positive are ineligible for TCA.

one year from the date of the first positive test(s) (AOIE 209)

three years from the date of the second positive test(s) (AOIE 211)

Information on a positive test will be shared with the Florida Abuse Hotline for review to initiate an assessment or an offer of services.

Florida Abuse Hotline Controlled Substance Referral CF-ES 2363

Florida Abuse Hotline Controlled Substance Referral

CF-ES 2363

Drug Testing Results

Positive test results:

Applicants may use a one time exemption from

the one or three year ineligibility period allowing

reapplication for TCA after six months upon

providing proof of successful completion of a

substance abuse program and negative drug test

results

Drug Testing Results

Applicants who test positive may designate a protective payee.

The payee must submit to drug testing.

The payee must be an immediate family member, or

If no family member available, another individual may be designated.

The payee must sign the “Protective Payee and Drug Testing Agreement”

Applicant must sign and return the agreement

“Protective Payee and Drug Testing

Agreement”

Drug Testing Results

Applicants who test positive and do not

designate a protective payee will have TCA

application denied.

Applicants who do not take the drug test will have

the TCA application denied.

In two parent cases:

one parent tests positive, the other parent

becomes payee

both parents test positive, designate payee

Additional Drug Testing Guidance

TCA disqualification for drug test failure has no impact on eligibility for Food Assistance or Medicaid

Food Assistance “Riverside” policy does not apply to TCA drug test failure

Caretaker relatives whose needs are included must opt out prior to drug testing to avoid potential penalty

Disqualified parents and caregivers are considered Financial Adults in the TCA standard filing unit

Additional Drug Testing Guidance

All months of TCA for children with a protective

payee will count toward the parents’ 48 month

lifetime limit, excluding the initial prorated benefit and

auxiliary payment

Implementation Procedures

Applicants applying for TCA July 1, 2011

Web Applications: TCA applicants receive and

acknowledge consent form.

Paper Applications: Consent form discussed at

interview and mailed with any other pending

information to be signed and returned.

*NOTE: the consent form must be specifically

requested on the pending letter.

Processing Procedures

Pend applicants for information to determine

potential eligibility for TCA on all factors, except

drug testing.

If applicant fails to return information, or

verification provided indicates ineligibility,

deny the TCA application.

Processing Procedures

If all required information is provided and

applicant appears TCA eligible:

Pend for proof of completed drug test, cost of

test, and include the web link of approved local

drug testing sites in the letter.

10 days to complete and provide proof of test.

staff must keep case pending for tests results, if

proof of test completion is provided from the

customer.

Processing Procedures

If applicant tests negative:

Authorize TCA for all eligible members

AWAA 040 and any other appropriate codes

Approve auxiliary to cover cost of drug test(s)

(code 971)

If applicant chooses not to take drug test or fails

to provide proof of drug test:

Deny TCA

AWAA 207

Processing Procedures

If applicant tests positive for drugs:

Notice applicant of positive drug test

Provide 10 day pending period for applicant to designate

protective payee,

Return “Protective Payee and Drug Testing Agreement”,

signed by both parties, and

Provide proof protective payee has completed test and

cost of test

Notify applicant of local “Substance Abuse Treatment

Center locator link” http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/Prxlnput.aspx?STATE=Florida

Complete the Florida Abuse Hotline Controlled Substance

Referral CF-ES 2363 and e-mail or fax to the hotline

How to Complete the Florida Abuse Hotline

Controlled Substance Referral CF-ES 2363

How to Complete the Florida Abuse Hotline

Controlled Substance Referral CF-ES 2363

Processing Procedures

Deny TCA Application:

If applicant fails to designate protective payee Sanction applicant and deny cash

First time: AOIE 209, AWAA 208 and 209

Second time: AOIE 211, AWAA 208 and 211

If applicant fails to provide proof the protective payee completed the test within 10 days

If the protective payee tested positive

NOTE: 60-day rule can be applied when TCA is denied and the customer provides verification that the drug test was completed within the original 10 day pending period.

Processing Procedures

If protective payee tests negative for drugs:

Sanction applicant for TCA:

First time: AOIE 209

Second time: AOIE 211

Complete AGBI and AGAR

Authorize TCA for children:

AWAA 040 and

209 (applicants first disqualification)

211 ( applicants second disqualification)

Issue auxiliary to increase the benefit payment by the amount paid for protective payee drug test(s).(code 971)

Do not increase the benefit for the applicants failed test(s)

Disqualification

Individuals using One-Time Exemption

Review FLORIDA screens to if six months have passed from

the date of the failed drug test.

If six months not passed – deny

If six months have passed

Pend for verification of successful completion of treatment

program

Verification received – pend for new drug test

Test negative – remove sanction and authorize cash but not cost

of test if the individual is being added to a current benefit

Test positive – deny

Verification not received – deny

Note on CLRC that the One-Time exemption had been

used with this request

Disqualification

Individuals reapplying after disqualification

period served

Sanctioned individual must take and pass a drug test

If Negative: approve TCA

If Positive: apply appropriate disqualification

policy

Notate CLRC appropriately

FLORIDA Reason Codes

New FLORIDA codes for drug testing

AWAA codes:

207 – no proof of completed drug test

208 – no appropriate payee designated for children

209 – member ineligible for TCA for one year due to positive drug test

211 – member ineligible for TCA for three years due to positive drug test

Auxiliary code:

971 – refund for drug test

AOIE codes:

209 – failed drug test; one year ineligibility

211 – failed drug test; three year ineligibility

Use of Drug Testing Codes

Individuals who pass the drug test

authorize cash assistance using code 040

process auxiliary for drug test fee using code 971

Individuals who don’t provide proof of taking drug test

deny cash assistance using code 207

Individuals who fail drug test the first time

If protective payee designated:

sanction applicant for cash only using code 209

complete protective payee information as appropriate

authorize cash using codes 040 and 209

process auxiliary for protective payee’s test fee using code 971

Use of Codes Continued

If protective payee not designated:

sanction the applicant for cash only using code 209

deny the cash assistance using codes 209 and 208

Individuals who fail drug test the second time

If protective payee designated:

sanction applicant for cash only using code 211

complete protective payee information as appropriate

authorize cash using codes 040 and 211

process auxiliary for protective payee’s test fee using code 971

If protective payee not designated:

sanction the applicant for cash only using code 211

deny cash assistance using codes 211 and 208

Reminders

Properly document CLRC in all cases

Use correct AWAA and AOIE codes

Use correct auxiliary code

Do not pend applicants for the drug

test until they meet all other factors

of eligibility

Questions