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Item C16BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY .ter" Louis LaTorre, Director/Social Services Meeting Date: April 16, 2003 Division:__ Community Services Bulk Item: Yes x No Department: Social Services AULIN 1A ITEM WORDING: Authorization to execute an Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) Agreement between Monroe County, the Social Security Administration and the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families. ITEM BACKGROUND: The State of Florida, Department of Children and Families first entered into an Interim Assistance Reimbursement Agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on November 3, 1975. Under this agreement the state serves only as a contractual intermediary between HHS and participating counties. This Agreement enables the County to be reimbursed for assistance rendered to a client prior to having all funds sent to the client that has been approved for SSI. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: The BOCC possibly approved Agreement in 1975, copies not available. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: A summary of the amendments to the Agreement is attached. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval TOTAL COST: N/A COST TO COUNTY: N/A REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes X No BUDGETED: Yes N/A No SOURCE OF FUNDS:Social Security (SSI) AMOUNT (ESTIMATED FY O1/02 $64,260.10) APPROVED BY: County Atty X O urchasing X Management v DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: 0 1 Jame E alloc DOCUMENTATION: Included X To Follow Not Required DISPOSITION: Revised 1/03 AGENDA ITEM # MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTRACT SUMMARY Social Security Administration Contract with: and the State of Florida, Department of Effective Date: Children and Families Expiration Date: _Contract Purpose/Description: This Agreement enables the County to be reimbursed for assistance rendered to a client prior to having all funds sent to the client that has been approved for SSI. Contract Manager: X4573 Social Services (Louis LaTorre) (Ext.) (Department) for BOCC meeting on 4/16/ 03 Agenda Deadline: 4 / 02 /03 CONTRACT COSTS Total Dollar Value of Contract: $ N/A Current Year Portion: $ N/A Budgeted ? Yes N/A No _ Account Codes: - - Grant: $ County Match: N/A ADDITIONAL COSTS Estimated Ongoing Costs: $ N/A /yr. For: (Not included in dollar value above) I Division Director I Risk Management O.M.B./Purchasing County Attorney Comments: (e.g. maintenance, utilities, janitorial, salaries, etc.) CONTRACT REVIEW Changes Date In Needed Yes No ,,5////03 Date Out 1/l 1 /03 _3/28/03_ LORIDA DEPARTMENT OF i Jeb Bush CHILDREN I - Governor & FAMILIES Jerry Regier Secretary RE: Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) Agreement Dear County Official: The Social Security Administration is in the process of amending its Interim Assistance Reimbursement Agreement with the state of Florida. As a result, we must advise you of the changes and ask if your county wishes to continue to participate in this program. A new Amended Agreement is enclosed for your review. The State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, first entered into an Interim Assistance Reimbursement Agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on November 3, 1975. Under this Agreement, the state serves only as a "contractual intermediary" between HHS and participating counties. Each participating county has a direct working relationship with the Social Security Administration. Continued participation in the program requires a county official's signature on the attached page. A summary of amendments to the Agreement is attached. In addition to the Agreement, the state is required to provide an updated listing of the participating counties' contact information. If your county will continue to participate, please review your county's information and submit any necessary corrections along with your signed decision. Once all counties have responded to this office, we can update the State Agreement and submit it to the Social Security Administration Regional Office in Atlanta. We will send a copy of the signed Agreement to each of the participating counties. Please return the Agreement to the attention of Virginia Hardcastle at your earliest convenience, but no later than March 28 2002. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Lynn Raichelson at (850) 488-3274. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Kim Brock Acting Director Economic Self -Sufficiency Services Attachment 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 The Department of Children and Families is committed to working in partnership With local communities to ensure safety. well-being and self-sufficiency for the people we serve. LORIDA DEPARTMENT OF --� CHILDREN 4" & FAMILIES Supplemental Security Income Agreement for Reimbursement under Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) Agreement Between The Department of Children and Families And Participating Florida Counties Jeb Bush Governor Jerry Regier Secretary We have reviewed this letter and the revised drafted changes to the Social Security Administration agreement. MONROE County X Agrees to continue to participate in the Interim Assistance Program. No longer will participate in the Interim Assistance Program. Dixie M. Spehar County Official (Print Name) County Official (Signature) Return to: Department of Children and Families Economic Self -Sufficiency 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 3 Tallahassee, FI 32399 Attn: Virginia Hardcastle April 16, 2003 Date Mayor Title APPROVED AS TO F Rt' AND LE L SUFFIC BY U`ANNE J TON D 31_4 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 The Department of Children and Families is committed to working in partnership with local communities to ensure safety, well-being and self-sufficiency for the people we serve. FLORIDA — SSI Interim Assistance Participation—1/9/03 List of Political Subdivisions Using Manual Process Brevard County Welfare SSI Reimbursement 2725 St John's Street Melbourne FL 32940-0000 10-40 (Brevard County) [FL 6731 Broward County Social Services SSI Reimbursement The Government Center, Room 433A 115 S. Andrews Avenue Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301-1802 10-50 (Broward County) [FL 665] Metro -Dade Community Services III NW Ist Street, Suite 2130 Miami, FL 33128-1985 10-120 (Dade County) [FL E991 Community Services Dept SSI Reimbursement 900 Univ Blvd N, 9405 Jacksonville, FL 32211-5580 10-150 (Duval County) [FL 6551 Glades County Welfare Department SSI Reimbursement P.O. Box 595 Moore Haven, FL 33471-0595 10-210 (Glades County) [FL 6611 Highlands County Welfare SSI Reimbursement P.O. Box 1926 Sebring, FL 33871-I926 10-270 (Highlands County) [FL B13] Hendry County Welfare Department SSI Reimbursement 710 East El Pasco Avenue Clewiston, FL 33440-4705 10-250 (Hendry County) [FL 6611 Indian River County Welfare SSI Reimbursement 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960-3365 10-300 (Indian River County) [FL B211 Monroe County Social Services SSI Reimbursement Key West, FL 33040-4M 10-430 (Monroe County) [FL 6721 Department of Social Services SSI Reimbursement 2100 E. Michigan Avenue Orlando, FL 32806-4914 10-470 (Orange County) [FL 6571 ,Palm Beach County Welfare Department SSI Reimbursement 810 Datura Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5204 10-490 (Palm Beach County) [FL 6611 Department of social Services SSl Reimbursement, Suite 1500 1100 Cleveland Street Clearwater, FL 34615-4803 10-510 (Pinellas County) [FL 257) Division of Social Services and Rehab., SSI Reimbursement DRWR HSI1, P. O. Box 9005 Bartow, FL 33831-9005 10-520 (Polk County) [FL 658] Community Health and Human Ser SSI Reimbursement Suite 1110 Tampa, FL 33601-1 l l 0 10-280 (Hillsborough County) [FT. 9491 JAR AGREEMENT/AUTHORIZATION AMENDMENTS Preamble • Revised to reflect that the Commissioner of Social Security is responsible for the administration of the IAR program instead of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Article I, Scope • Revised to clarify that an individual must have been paid both an SSI dollar amount and an IAR dollar amount for a state to receive reimbursement for a month(s). Article II B. • Revised to clarify that the Commissioner of Social Security has the discretion to determine what constitutes a State for IAE jurisdictional purposes. Article II E. Revised to clarify that the interim period for initial claims begins with the month following the month in which the individual filed an application for benefits. Article II G. Revised to cover the processing of IAR cases involving situations where the Commissioner is required by law to control the release of retroactive SSI payments; e.g., installment and/or dedicated account cases. Article III A. • Modified to allow States to designate a financial institution to receive their IAR payments when feasible for SSA and the States. Article IV A. Revised to require States to: Notify the Commissioner within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the individual signed the authorization. If a State fails to do so, the authorization will no longer be binding on the individual or the State. This requirement is intended to assure that an IAR State acts on the authorization in a reasonably prompt manner. In such situations, SSA field offices will release the retroactive payment to the individual through applicable payment processing procedures. To recover IAR money in these situations, the State may, without any SSA involvement, pursue recovery of such money. (This change was made at the request of regional office staffs that have noted that some State offices frequently withhold sending an authorization to SSA for several months, ) Forward the IAR accounting form to SSA within 15 working days of a follow-up request by SSA to receive an IAR payment for situations in which the Commissioner is required by law to restrict the manner in which the retroactive SSI payment may be paid to an individual. The State's failure to comply with this requirement will result in the release of the entire retroactive payment to the individual. In such instances, States may pursue recovery for the IAR payment from the individual. However, SSA will not be a party to the State's recovery efforts. Article V Changed to. - Cover the processing of IAR accounting forms for situations in which Law requires the Commissioner to restrict the manner in which the residual amount of a retroactive SSI payment may be paid to the individual. • Afford the States and the Commissioner the flexibility of using an accounting form that may vary from standard IAR accounting forms provided, so long as the variant form meets SSA processing requirements. Article VI • Revised to simplify and expedite the disputes process by removing the Departmental Appeals Board level from the process and allowing the Commissioner to settle the dispute(s). New Model IAR Authorization • New format uses a question and answer approach designed to walk the individual and the State through the IAR process. • States have the flexibility of using a single form for both initial claims and post - eligibility events instead of using a separate authorization for each event. • The language changes contained in the new authorizations conform to the proposed model agreement. • SSA suggests that the format used in the New Model IAR Authorization be used for your next revision. 0 SSA must approve revisions in your IAR authorizations prior to implementation. SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGE, BLIND, AND DISABLED Agreement for Reimbursetaent to State for Interim Assistance Payments Pursuant to Section 1631(g) Of the Social Security Act Between The Commissioner of the Social Security Achinistration and The State of Florida The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, hereina;ter referred to as the "Commissioner," and the State of Florida, hereinafter referred to as the "State, " for the of ensuring the availability of assistance to meet basic needsso applicants for benefits under the supplemental security income f (SSI) program, title XVI of the Social Security Act to the following: , hereby agree g e ARTICLE I SCOPE 'This Agreement covers reimbursement by the Commissioner to the State for assistance furnished b the to (a.) the months their SSI applicationsSaree endindividuals during during the months -their SSI benefits have beensuspendeding andbor terminated, if said individuals are subsequently found to be eligible for SSI payment of benefits for those months. a State may be reimbursed only for months duringr the However, described in (a.) or (b.) above in which the individualwass both an SSI dollar amount payment and an interim pai (1Ad erim assistance dollar amount payment. ( ) ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Agreement. - A. The term "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) or his/her delegate. B. The term "State" for purposes of an IA agreement means a 2 State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. For all other purposes (for example, payment, appeals, notices) State also means an entity that the Commissioner deems to be a political subdivision and that such political subdivision is administratively feasible to include for participation in the interim assistance reimbursement (IAR) program. political subdivision of the State of Florida admiThe nis this IA agreement is the Department of Children an tering d Families C. The term "Act" means the Social Security Act. D. The term "benefits" means supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Act and any State supplementary payments under section 1616 thereof, or mandatory minimum supplementary payments under section 212 of Public Law 93-66, which the Commissioner makes on behalf of the State (or political subdivision thereof). E. The term "interim assistance" (IA) means assistance furnished to the individual or on behalf of the individual, financed totally from State and/or local funds, for meeting basic needs and furnished (1) during the period beginning with the month following the month in which the individual filed an application for benefits, for which he/she was found eligible to receive benefits, and ending with (and including) the month the individual's benefits began, and (2) during the period beginning with the day the individual's benefits were reinstated after a period of suspense or termination, and ending with (and including) the month the individual's benefits were resumed. F. The terms "initial claims" and "initial posteligibility payment" mean the first payment with respect to the IA period discussed in E. above, but does not include any emergency advance payments authorized under section 1631 (a) (4) (A) of the Act, any presumptive disability/blindness payment authorized under section 1631 (a) (4) (B) , or any immediate payments authorized under section 1631 (a) (1) . G. The phrase "amount equal to the amount of initial a initial posteligibility payment available to the Sta eent as Ior A reimbursement" means that portion of the initial (or initial posteligibility) payment that the State can claim as reimbursement. In certain situations, the Commissioner is required by the Act to control the release of an individual's retroactive payment. In these situations, if SSA were to release the initial payment or initial posteligibility to the State and the State released a residual amount to the individual, the individual might be paid in a manner contrary to the Act. To prevent this, when SSA identifies such a situation, 5SA will ask the State to determine the amount it is entitled to be reimbursed, and SSA will then release that amount to the State. H. The term "Supplemental Security Income Program" means the Federal assistance program under title XVI of the Social Security Act. I. The term "authorization" means the form used b obtain an SSI applicant's written permission forthe theState to Commissioner to withhold the individual's initial payment or initial posteligibility payment and send such ent to State. This form must include the language specified in the Article IV, Paragraph A and be approved by the State and Commissioner. J. The term "protective filing" means a written Statement by an individual indicating an intent to claim SSI benefits received at an SSA office or another Federal or State office designated by the Commissioner to receive applications on behalf of the Commissioner, or by a person so authorized. For purposes of this Agreement, the term protective filing is limited to the written authorization defined in Article II, Paragraph I. ARTICLE III FUNCTIONS TO BE PERFOPJaM BY THE CotoISSIONER The Commissioner shall: A. Send to the State or the State'a cial institution (when feasible for bo�h parties) siqnated �the�initial State paymenasoIA1reimburnitial sement"asg1defined in A y payment available to the le II, paragraphs F. and G., in situations where the cCommissioner is required to control the release of the individual's retroactive payment) for any such individual for whom a signed copy of an authorization, as defined in Article II, Paragraph I., has been received by the Commissioner, orb a Federal or State office designated by the Commissiy receive applications, oner to prior to the date of payment. B. Provide information to the State in order to assist the State in complying with the terms of the Agreement. C. Perform such other functions as may be required by the terms of this Agreement. ARTICLE IV FUNCTIONS TO BE PERFORMED By THE STATE The State shall: A. For political subdivisions of a State that the Commissioner deems to be administratively feasible to include for participation in the IAR program based on scope and size, obtain a written, signed, and dated authorization for the reimbursement of IA (models attached hereto at Appendix A), for each individual who has received or will receive IA, and whose initial payment or initial posteligibility payment or amount equal to the amount of the initial payment or initial posteligibility payment available to the State as IA is to be sent to the State or the State's designated financial institution pursuant to Article III, Paragraph A and furnish a copy of the authorization or notify the Commissioner of the receipt and date of receipt of the authorization (in the case of an automated State). The authorization form must, at a minimum, provide language that advises the individual that: 1. For initial SSI claims, the period for the life of the authorization is one (1) calendar year if the individual does not apply for SSI within the one year period. The one year period begins with the date SSA receives the signed authorization (in the case of a manual State) or the date that the State notifies SSA by an automated system that it has received a signed authorization (in the case of an automated State) and ends one calendar year later. In addition, if the State does not notify the Commissioner within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the individual signed the authorization, the authorization is not binding on the applicant. (This condition is intended to assure that the State acts on the authorization in a reasonably prompt manner.) However, if the individual applies for SSI before the end of the one 5 the authorization period or has alreadyapplied year life of before the period for the life of the authorization SSI begins, the period for the life of the authorization will be extended beyond the one year period, until such time as: The Commissioner makes the first payment of retroactive SSI benefits on the individual's claim; or The Commissioner makes a final determination on the claim and no timely request for review is filed; or The State and the individual agree to terminate the authorization. If one of the events listed above occurs before the expiration of the one-year calendar period, the authorization will cease to be in force as of the date of the occurrence of such an event. 2. For initial posteligibility cases, the period for the life of the authorization is one (1) calendar year. The one year period begins with the date SSA receives the signed authorization (in the case of a manual State) or the date that the State notifies SSA by an automated system that it has received a signed authorization (in the case of an automated State) and ends one calendar year later. In addition, if the State does not notify the Commissioner within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the individual signed the authorization, the authorization is not binding on the applicant. (This condition is intended to assure that the State acts on the authorization in a reasonably prompt manner.). The life of the authorization will remain in effect for that one year period, or until the end of the maximum period permitted under regulations at Subpart N of 20 CFR 416 within which to request administrative or judicial review of the Commissioner's determination to suspend or terminate the individual's SSI benefits, whichever period of time is longer, unless the individual files a request within the time for such review, or one of the following events occurs earlier, in which case the authorization will cease to have effect as of the date Of such event: The Commissioner makes the first posteligibility payment of retroactive SSI benefits following the suspension or termination of the individual'6 benefits; or s The Commissioner makes a final determination on the claim and no timely request for review is filed; or The State and the individual agree to terminate the authorization. If one of the events listed above occurs before the expiration of the one-year calendar period, the authorization will cease to be in force as of the date of the occurrence of such event. 3. After deducting from the individual's initial payment or payment received from the Commissioner an amount sufficient to reimburse the State for IA paid the individual, the State shall promptly provide to the individual a written notice (copy attached hereto at Appendix B) explaining the amount of the initial payment or payment it received from the Commissioner and the excess amount (if any) due the individual and shall pay the excess amount 1 such individual within ten (10) working daysofathe to date of the receipt of said payment from the Commissioner. 4• The State shall complete and return an SSA accounting form to a designated SSA office within 30 calendar days of the date SSA forwarded such form to the State. However, for situations in which the Commissioner is required by law to restrict the manner in which the residual -amount of retroactive SSI payments may be paid to the individual, the State shall complete and return the SSA accounting form to a designated SSA office within 10 working days of the date SSA forwarded the form to the State. If a State does not forward the accounting form to SSA within 10 working days of the date it was forwarded or transmitted to the State, SSA will forward the State.a follow-up request for the completion and return of that form. If a State fails to return the form to the designated SSA office within 15 working days of the follow-up request, SSA will release the retroactive amount to the individual through its applicable processing procedures to protect the individual from hardship that may arise from the State's failure to comply with SSA's IAR processing requirements. In these situations, the State may choose to ask the individual for any IAR the State may be due. However, the Commissioner will not be a party to or responsible for participating in the State's 7 efforts to recover any IAR due the State under these circumstances. 5. Such individual shall have the right to a he the State respecting any matter for which the ring from individual believes he or she has been a action taken by the State under section g631(g) by Act." (g) of the B. The State may receive on the Commissioner's behalf, the authorization as an intent b benefits (a protective filing) the individual to claim SSI subdivisions within the State)asoidentifr all iedtinaa this Agreement. appendix C of C. Political subdivisions of the State listed in Appendix C that use a manual process will forward the authorizations th- Commissioner within thin obtaining the authorizations and3shall iretain copies of to authorizations in accordance with the provisions days of VIII. P isions of Article h D. Political subdivisions of the State listed in Appendix D that use an automated process will forward via an automated data processing method acceptable both to the Commissioner and the State information: such authorization and (2) (1) that the State has received the date that the State and the claimant signed the authorization. forwarded to the Commissioner within This information will be days of matching the applicant's thirty (30) calendar general assistance eligibility firecord on the State's record and the State shall retain copies Ofpsuchng SSI authorizations in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII. E. For situations in which the Commissioner is not required b law to restrict the manner in which the residual amount of retroactive SSI y payments may be paid to the individual: 1• Deduct from the initial Payment or posteligibilty Payment received from the Commissioner, with respect to an individual, an amount sufficient as reimbursement for IA furnished on behalf of such individual in months during which the individual was found eligible for SSI from the first month in which such individual was found eligible for SSI benefits, and ending with and ' including the month payment of such individual's SSI benefits began and/or from the day of the month such individual's payment of SSI benefits were subsequently reinstated after a period of suspense or termination, 2. F. and ending with and including the month such individual's SSI benefits were resumed. Pay any residual amount of the initial payment or initial posteligibility payment received from the Commissioner to the individual within days from the date the State receives the initiorking payment or initial posteligibility payment. a For situations to restrict the retroactive SSI in which the Commissioner is required by law manner in which the residual amount of Payments may be paid to the individual: Inform the Commissioner, according to Article V, Paragraph B, of the amount of reimbursement claimed for IA the State furnished on behalf of such individual in months during which the individual was found eligible for SSI, from the first month in which such individual was found eligible for SSI benefits, and ending with and including the month payment of such individual's SSI benefits began, and/or from the day of the month such individual's payment of SSI benefits were subsequently reinstated after a period of suspense or termination, and ending with and including the month such individual's SSI benefits were resumed. G. Provide to the individual within ten the date the State receives the initial0)payment O days from posteligibility payment a written notice e explaining: 1. The amount of the initial payment or initial posteligibility payment received from the Commissioner for IA; 2. The excess amount (if any) due the individual; and 3. The opportunity for a hearing with respect to any action taken by the State pursuant to the implementation of this Agreement by which the individual believes he or she has been aggrieved. If an individual dies after executing an authorization but before receiving the written notice and payment of the excess amount required by the preceding sentence, the State shall, within the prescribed time limit, provide such explanation and pay such balance to the Commissioner rather than to anyone else on behalf of the individual. A E. Comply with such other rules as the -Commissioner finds 9 necessary to achieve efficient a4l effective administration Of IAR procedures and to carry ou Program. t the purposes of the SSI I. Perform such other functions as may be required by the terms of this Agreement. ARTICLE v ACCOUNTING REPORTS A. For situations in which the Commissioner is not required by law to restrict the manner in which the residual amount of retroactive SSI payments may be paid to the individual: 1• The State shall submit a report on Form SSA-8125 or other SSA approved accounting form for each initial payment and posteligibility payment received from the Commissioner within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the State received such payment. 2. The report shall account to the Commissioner (on an individual case basis) for the total IA paid, the total amount of the initial payment or posteligibility payment received by the State (for such individual), the amount retained by the State as reimbursement, the amount (i-f any) due the individual, and the date said amount (if any) was sent to the individual. B. For situations in which the Commissioner is to restrict the manner in which the residual retroactive SSI payments may be paid to the 1. 2. required by law amount of individual: The State shall submit a claim on Form SSA-8125-F6 or other SSA approved accounting form for each report of a pending initial payment and posteligibilit received from the Commissioner within y Payment clays from the date the State receives such (report 10) king The report shall account to the Commissioner (on an individual case basis) for the total IA paid to the individual and the amount of reimbursement claimed by the State for IA furnished on behalf of such individual in months for which the individual was found eligible to receive SSI or SSI benefits were subsequently 10 reinstated after a period of suspense or termination. C. The aggregate of all reports referred to in Paragraphs A. and B. above received by the Commissioner in each fiscal year shall constitute the State's report for such fiscal year. ARTICLE VI RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES A. If SSA and the State are unable to agree on any item in dispute arising under this Agreement, the State may request the Commissioner of Social Security to make a determination. Within 90 days from the receipt of such request, the Commissioner of Social Security, or his/her designee, shall make a determination in writing with a full explanation thereof, or provide written notification of the reason such determination cannot be made, what further information or action by the parties may be required, and within what time period a determination is expected to be made. This determination shall be final and conclusive. Pending the decision of the Commissioner, the State and the Commissioner shall proceed diligently with performance of this Agreement. B. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to waive the State's right to seek judicial review by a court of competent jurisdiction of both findings of fact and conclusion of law contained in the Commissioner's decision, or to enforce its rights under this Agreement by any available remedy. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as waiving the Commissioner's rights to assert lack of jurisdiction with respect to any suit brought under this Agreement, or to enforce the Commissioner's rights under this Agreement by available remedies. ARTICLE VII ADN'NISTRATIVE COSTS Neither the State nor the Commissioner, in performing their functions and duties under this Agreement, shall pay to the other, any costs of administration incurred by the other. 11 ARTICLE VIII EXAMINATION AND RETENTION OF RECORDS A. The State agrees that the Commissioner and the Comp tr General of the United States (including their duly°ller authorized representatives) have access to and the right to examine any pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the State for purposes of verifying transactions with respect to matters covered by this Agreement. B. The State shall retain each authorization it receives (or a' COPY thereof) for a total of three (3) years from the date lsaid authorization is signed and for such longer period as i required for completion or resolution of the audits, litigation, or other actions involving such records of which the State has actual notice and which are commenced before the end of the three (3Y year period. C. The State shall retain a copy of each Form SSA-8125 8125-F6, or other SSA a SSA - for three 3 approved accounting form it completes ( ) years from the end of the Federal fiscal year for which the form pertains. D. The State shall retain a copy of each written notice furnished to an individual as set forth in Article IV, Paragraph G. for three (3) years from *the end of the Federal fiscal year for which the notice pertains. ARTICLE IX CONFIDENT'AL NATURE AND LIMITATION ON USE OF INFORMATION AND RECORDS A. The purpose of this Article is to set forth the rocedures for safeguarding the confidentiality of IAR dataexchanged between the Commissioner and the State, and imposing limitations on the use of that data. IAR data includes the authorization form as defined in Article II, Paragraph I.; the automated data that the State transmits or sends to the Commissioner pursuant to' Article IV, Paragraphs C. and D.• the notice provided to individuals Para ra h G.- pursuant to Article IV, g P , the Form SSA-8125, SSA-8125-F6, or other SSA approved accounting form completed by the State Article V.; and any other information provided touthe aState by the Commissioner pursuant to Article III, Paragraph B. F. The Commissioner will adopt P that it will us th P Policies and procedur C. la E. e e IAR data obtained from the Stateounderre this Agreement only for purposes of carrying out this Agreement and will disclose such data onlyas tted Federal law (e.g., 42 U.S.C. subsection 1306(a), 5 U.S. by dC. subsections 552 and 552a, animplementing regulations20 CFR Part 401). The State will adopt policies and eto ensure it will use the IAR data obtained from theeCommissionerthat under this Agreement only for purposes of carrying out this Agreement and will disclose such data for other purposes only with the prior approval.of the Commissioner. T�e following minimum safeguards will be afforded by the Commissioner and the State to IAR data exchanged under er this 1. Access to the data will be restricted to only those authorized employees and officials who need it to perform their official duties in connection with the intended use of the data; 2. The data will be stored in an area that is physically safe from access by unauthorized persons during duty hours as well as nonduty hours or when not in use; 3. The data will be processed under the immediate supervision and control of authorized personnel in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of the data, and in such a way ized er cannot retrieve the data tbytmeans tOfrcomputerSO terminal or other means; and remote 4• All personnel who will have access to the data will be advised of the confidential nature of the information, the safeguards required to Protect "the information and the sanctions for noncompliance with those safeguards contained in the applicable Federal and State statutes. In d a dition, the Commissioner reserves the right to make onsite inspections or to make other provision that adequate safeguards are being maintained• to ensure 12 ARTICLE X 13 TERMS OF AGREEIENT This Agreement shall begin on March 1, 2002 and will be automatically renewed for successive periods of one (1) year thereafter (commencing on October 1st of each such year), unless the State or the Commissioner gives written notice not to renew at least thirty (30) days before the end of the then current period. ARTICLE XI TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION OF AGRE.MEM A. The State or the Commissioner may terminate this Agreement at any time upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. B. This Agreement may be modified in writing at any time by mutual consent of the parties hereto. C. If this Agreement is terminated in any manner (includin nonrenewal), the accounting requirements described in g Article V shall continue to apply for all initial payments and posteligibility payments received by the State from the Commissioner prior to such termination. D. If this Agreement is terminated by either party, the Commissioner and the State agree that all cases for which the State has obtained an authorization as required by Article IV, Paragraph A., shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. 14 J In Witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this Agreement this day of 2002. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY BY: Myrtle S. Habersham Regional Commissioner Atlanta (TITLE)(TITLE) State of Florida BY I, of t e State o certify that I an the Attorney Gen eral*5 who signed this Agreementtontbe a of said State; andwthathe/shhen the aut orize to enter into agreements of this nature on behalfeofs the State and that there is authority under the laws of the State of Florida to carry out all the functions to be performed by the State as provided herein and comply with the terms of this Agreement. Signature of Counsel *Or legal counsel for the State Agency