441—40.25 (239B) Time limit for decision. A determination of approval or denial shall be made as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days following the date of filing an application. A written notice of decision shall be issued to the applicant the next working day following a determination of eligibility or ineligibility. This time standard shall apply except in unusual circumstances, such as when the local office and the applicant have made every reasonable effort to secure necessary information which has not been supplied by the date the time limit expired; or because of emergency situations, such as fire, flood or other conditions beyond the administrative control of the local office. When eligibility is dependent upon the birth of a child, the time limit may be extended while awaiting the birth of the child. When it becomes evident that due to an error on the part of the local office, eligibility will not be established within the 30-day limit, the application shall be approved pending a determination of eligibility.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 239B.3, 239B.4, 239B.5 and 239B.6.