IM-125 December 8, 2021; IM-101 December 1, 2008; IM-94 September 20, 2004
Effective November 14, 2021, to comply with the 2018 Farm Bill, SNAP benefits not used 274 days after date of issuance are expunged daily, regardless of account activity. Cash benefits— including Transportation Reimbursement Expense (TRE)— are expunged on the same schedule. Additionally, benefits of households where all members are deceased are expunged upon notification of death.
Expunged benefits show the status Expunged (EXP) on the FAMIS Payment History (PAYHIST/FM5F) screen and the expunged amount appears in the expunged field of the FAMIS Payment Maintenance (PAYMAINT/FM5J) screen.
EXAMPLE: Ms. F started receiving a monthly benefit of $150 in January. In January, she only used $93.50 and did not use her card again. In September, she still had $56.50 left, which was expunged. PAYHIST shows EXP and PAYMAINT shows $56.50.
From October 1, 2008 until November 14, 2021, SNAP and cash benefits— including TRE payments— were no longer removed from the EBT account after 90 days, but instead were removed if the authorized benefit was not accessed for a period of 365 days or longer. The term “expunged” were used when this occurred.
Transactions which were considered as accessing benefits are:
SNAP
- SNAP purchases (magnetic swipe, manual entry, online or manual voucher)
- Balance inquiries completed at a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal
Cash
- Cash purchases at point-of sale (POS) machines or online
- Cash withdrawal at ATM
- Balance inquiries
Prior to October 1, 2008, SNAP and cash benefits— including TRE payments— were removed from the EBT account if the authorized benefit was not accessed by the participant, alternate payee, or household member(s) for a period of 90 days or longer. The term “aged” was used when this occurred.