Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) SIMPLIFIED REPORTING CHANGE
MANUAL REVISION #
1140.000.00
1140.005.00
1140.005.05
1140.005.10
1140.005.15
1140.005.20
1140.005.25
1140.005.30
1140.005.40
1140.005.45
1140.005.50
1140.005.55
1140.005.60
1140.005.65
1140.005.70
1140.020.00
1140.020.05
1140.020.10
1140.020.15
1140.020.20
1140.025.00
1140.025.05
1140.030.00
1140.030.05
1140.030.10
DISCUSSION:
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides states with two options regarding simplified reporting requirements for SNAP households. Missouri currently utilizes the option to act on all changes reported by the household and those that are verified upon receipt. Effective March 6, 2022, SNAP will utilize the option of true simplified reporting.
The agency will no longer apply negative changes to a case that meets simplified reporting criteria. The agency will only act on changes that are required to be reported by the household following the initial or recertification application and at mid-certification review. All SNAP households are subject to simplified reporting rules. The required changes to be reported by the household are:
- gross monthly income exceeding 130% of poverty
- a reduction in the number of hours worked by an individual subject to the 18 through 49 year old (ABAWD) work requirements
- lottery or gambling winnings of $3,500 or more
If information is reported by a household that is not required to be reported due to simplified reporting, this information is considered “known to agency” and verification is required. After this information is verified, the action is disregarded if it negatively affects the household’s benefits unless it meets one of the above changes the household was required to report. See the SNAP manual for information that is considered known to agency.
NOTE: If a household requests their case to be closed, action to close the case will be taken. For more information, refer to SNAP Manual section 1140.005.65 Voluntary Closing Requested by Household.
EXAMPLE: New income is reported by a household during their certification period that does not exceed the 130% income max threshold and was not required to be reported. This income should be verified since it was reported and now is considered “known to agency.” Once income is verified, the action to decrease benefits should be disregarded. If the household fails to provide the required verification, the adverse action period to close case for failure to provide requested information will be system initiated.
If a household reports a new address, this is not a required change to be reported; however, if the new shelter expenses were not provided, the agency must obtain the new shelter expense information. The old shelter expenses must be end dated and contact made to the household to obtain the new expenses. If the new shelter expense information is not provided, the eligibility system will calculate the allotment without the shelter deduction. See SNAP Manual section 1140.005.50 Address Changes for more information.
Action is taken on changes considered “verified upon receipt.” Verified upon receipt items do not require further verification, such as IIVE, SDX, BENDEX, SAVE, report from the household that a member has moved out and has applied for benefits for themselves, and report from household that a member has moved into an ineligible living arrangement (nursing facility, prison, etc.).
A question has been added to the eligibility system on the final action authorization screen whenever an action has negatively affected a household’s benefits.
The question reads “Simp Rept EU, Do you want to Take Action on this change? (Y/N).” This question must be answered Y (YES) or N (NO) to move forward with authorization of the case:
- A no answer means to disregard the negative action and keep the benefits at the same amount prior to the reported change
- A yes answer means to allow the negative action to affect the benefits.
NOTE: Any changes reported or initiated in the eligibility system prior to March 6, 2022, must be authorized and any actions that would negatively affect the benefits must be allowed. Only changes reported on or after March 6, 2022, fall under these new guidelines. A comment must be made if benefits are reduced to explain that the information was received prior to March 6, 2022, when simplified reporting acting on certain changes was not in effect.
Categorically Eligible (CE) cases that are single or 2-person households will require additional review by staff when processing increases in income. Single and 2-person CE households do not have an income maximum, but are still subject to simplified reporting guidelines. If the new income exceeds 130% of poverty level for their household size, do not disregard the negative action and authorize the reduction of benefits. If the new income is below 130% of poverty level, disregard the decrease in benefits. Refer to the Maximum Allowable Monthly Income Limits when processing these households.
EXAMPLE 1: Mr. Franklin reports he has started working. His household’s gross monthly income remains under 130% of poverty. This was not a required change to be reported, but since it has been reported the income is now considered known to the agency and must be entered into the eligibility system. A Request for Information form (FA325) is sent to Mr. Franklin requesting verification of his income. Verification is received and entered in the eligibility system. During authorization of the benefits, the disregard question will display. Since Mr. Franklin’s income is under the 130% of poverty guideline and verification was provided, answer “N” telling the system to disregard the negative action on his case.
EXAMPLE 2: Mr. Lincoln reports he has started working and provided adequate income verification. His household’s gross monthly income remains under 130% of poverty. Mr. Lincoln has active Temporary Assistance (TA) in addition to SNAP. Per simplified reporting guidelines, since he has active TA the new income must affect his SNAP benefits. Authorize the TA benefits first. During authorization of the SNAP benefits, the disregard question will display. Answer “Y” and authorize the reduction in SNAP benefits.
EXAMPLE 3: Mr. Kennedy reports that his son has moved out of the home. This is not a required change to be reported, but it is a change that is considered verified upon receipt once it was reported to the agency. Remove his son from the case on INHOME and begin authorization of the case. If his son did not have any income, this removal would decrease the household’s benefits and the disregard question will display. Answer “Y” and authorize the decrease as this is considered verified upon receipt information.
NOTE: Any action that is positively affecting a household’s benefits will not receive the disregard question and that action must be authorized.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Send questions through normal supervisory channels.
- Begin disregarding negative actions that meet the above criteria as of March 6, 2022.
KE/lb