Not more than 45 days in OAP and AB, and not more than 60 days in APTD, shall elapse between the date of application and date the first payment or the notice of denial is mailed. Only the following pending reasons are acceptable for exceeding the standard of promptness:

1. (a) Agency failure to secure needed verification after repeated attempts. To meet this requirement, all efforts to secure the verification must be documented.
2. (b) Client's request that application be continued beyond the standard of promptness in order to provide additional information and/or verification.
3. (c) Failure of client to provide information and verification requested.
4. (d) Administrative emergencies that could not reasonably be controlled by the agency. (Illness and staff vacancies do not meet this definition.)

Statutory Authority: Social Security Act Titles XVI and XIX; 20 C.F.R. 416; 42 C.F.R. 435; Title XIX State Plan; Code of Ala. 1975, Title 38.

History: Effective June 28, 1983. Amendment effective September 9, 1985.