Oklahoma has a time limit of 60 months of TANF benefits. Since there is a limit, we (DHS) need to be diligent insuring Fraud does not occur. One of the first lines of defense against TANF fraud is during the intake interview between the worker and TANF participant. In determining the number of months a TANF client has in other states as well as Oklahoma, we can establish if any adult in the household has ever been disqualified for Fraud by misrepresenting their residence in order to obtain TANF benefits in more than one state at the same time.

There are 2 requirements to help establish if this type of Fraud has occurred.

1. Discuss fraud with the client at the intake interview. Ask if any adult in the household has ever been disqualified for Fraud for receiving benefits in more than one state at the same time. This gives the client a chance to be upfront and honest. The responses to this discussion with the client should be documented in case notes.
2. When contacting other states about the number of months used in those states, workers should also ask if any adult members have been disqualified for Fraud in the last 10 years for receiving benefits in more than one state at the same time. This information should also be documented in case notes and marked in FACS.

Once a disqualification has been determined, the disqualified  individual will continue to be disqualified from TANF for 10 years from the date of the conviction. The disqualified individual cannot be added to the benefits but the income and resources of that individual will be considered in full with no deductions. If this is a single parent household then the case will become a child only case, with income and resources of the disqualified adult included in the case with no deductions.