§9-9-11 Breach of contract; notice; sanctions. - West Virginia Statutes

§9-9-11. Breach of contract; notice; sanctions.
(a) The department may terminate cash assistance benefits to an at-risk family if it finds any of the following:

(1) Fraud or deception by the beneficiary in applying for or receiving program benefits;

(2) A substantial breach by the beneficiary of the requirements and obligations set forth in the personal responsibility contract and any amendments or addenda to the contract; or

(3) A violation by the beneficiary of any provision of the personal responsibility contract or any amendments or addenda to the contract, this article, or any rule promulgated by the secretary pursuant to this article.

(b) In the event the department determines that benefits received by the beneficiary are subject to reduction or termination, written notice of the reduction or termination and the reason for the reduction or termination shall be deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the beneficiary at his or her last known address at least thirteen days prior to the termination or reduction. The notice shall state the action being taken by the department and grant to the beneficiary a reasonable opportunity to be heard at a fair and impartial hearing before the department in accordance with administrative procedures established by the department and due process of law.

(c) In any hearing conducted pursuant to the provisions of this section, the beneficiary has the burden of proving that his or her benefits were improperly reduced or terminated and shall bear his or her own costs, including attorneys fees.

(d) The secretary shall determine by rule what constitutes de minimis violations and those violations subject to sanctions and maximum penalties. In the event the department finds that a beneficiary has violated any provision of this article, of his or her personal responsibility contract or any amendment or addenda to the contract, or any applicable department rule, the department shall impose sanctions against the beneficiary as follows:

(1) For the first violation, a one-third reduction of benefits for three months;

(2) For a second violation, a two-thirds reduction of benefits for three months;

(3) For a third or subsequent violation, a total termination of benefits for three months.

(e) For any sanction imposed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, if the beneficiary is found to have good cause for noncompliance, as defined by the secretary, the reduction or termination in benefits shall not be imposed and the violation shall not count in determining the level of sanction to be imposed for any future violation. Once a reduction in benefits is in effect, it shall remain in effect for the designated time period: Provided, That if a participant incurs a subsequent sanction before the sanction for a previous violation has expired, the sanctions shall run concurrently: Provided, however, That if a third violation occurs before the period for a previous sanction has expired, benefits shall be terminated and may not be reinstated until the three-month termination period has expired.