FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #2

   Section 1100.010.00
   Section 1130.035.05
   Section 1135.035.00
   Section 1135.035.05
   Section 1135.035.05.05
   Section 1135.035.05.10
   Section 1135.035.15
   Section 1135.035.20
   Section 1135.035.30

This represents a significant change in policy for categorical eligibility.  We have determined the entire household benefits if any household member receives or is authorized to receive services or benefits from one the programs designated as funded in-part through Title IV-A or MOE.  This change includes households with members receiving or authorized to receive Temporary Assistance cash benefits.  The entire household is categorically eligible if any household member receives or is authorized to receive Temporary Assistance cash.  Categorical eligibility is based on approval of a participant for a service or benefit and not actual use of the service. 

Identify through the interview process or other available information applicants for food stamps and/or household members who might be authorized for or receiving services through one of the following programs: 

• Temporary Assistance Cash

 
• Transportation Related Expense (TRE) or Work Related Expenses (WRE)--These benefits provide transportation or work related expenses for Temporary Assistance participants for 90 days after closing of the cash case.  Participants receiving this service can be identified through the JCAT screen. 

 
• Contracted Case Management Services--Participants may be eligible for this service for 12 months after the referral is accepted.  Participants eligible for contracted case management services can be identified through the JCAT screen as load #88,000.

 
• Parent's Fair Share--This program provides case management and support services for non-custodial parents.  The program is administered through the Division of Child Support Enforcement.  Participants of the program can be identified through the JCAT screen with the program identification code of PFS (Parent's Fair Share).

 
• Child Care--This program provides child care support for participant households.  Based on the participant's income, the participant may be responsible for a portion of the child care expense based on a sliding scale.  In addition, the participant may be responsible for a co-payment to the provider.  Participants receiving child care assistance can be identified through the Child Care screens.

 
• Community Partnerships--Services are provided for individuals to help prepare them for the job market. It will be necessary for each county to explore participants' access to services offered by Community Partnerships.  Participants outside the immediate service area may have access to services offered.  Each county will need to meet with Community Partnerships to determine if any other services qualify.  It will be necessary for counties to develop procedures to identify participants using the services of Community Partnerships.  Services include, but are not limited to the following:

 
• Missouri Mentoring--Private companies participate in this program by providing structured job site mentoring with a volunteer on-site mentor.  The individual is hired and paid by the company.  This program is available to individuals up to age 21 and is offered in St. Louis City and County, Phelps, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Audrain, Randolph, Boone, Callaway, and Cole counties.

 
• Dress for Success--This program offers services to women to prepare for job interviews and to gain the skills necessary to obtain employment.  This program is available in St. Louis and the surrounding area.

 
• Independent Living (includes transitional living)--This program is for older youth in alternative care placement through Children's Services.  Individuals or families participating in this program may be in an individual apartment or in a shared living arrangement.  This type of placement can be identified through the ZCAS screen.  The service worker/case manager is identified on the ZCAS screen.  Check with the service worker/case manager to determine the type of living arrangement and approximate duration of the arrangement for the applicant. 

 
• Foster Care--This program provides a maintenance payment on behalf of a child placed in foster care.  This payment aids foster parents in providing care for the child placed in foster care.  Individuals in foster care placement can be identified through the ZCAS screen.  Note:  The foster parents have the option to include the foster child (and the foster care payment) in the food stamp household.  If the foster parent chooses not to include the foster child, the household cannot be considered as categorically eligible on this basis.

Households who are categorically eligible based on participation in one of the above programs are eligible only during the time they qualify for or meet the criteria for that program. 

Note:  The expanded categorical eligibility does not change the policy for individuals disqualified for intentional program violation (IPV).  Do not give categorical eligibility status to a household containing a member disqualified for an IPV.

Do not reject a categorically eligible household if the household's income exceeds the net or gross income limit.  When a categorically eligible household contains three or more household members and has income which exceeds the net income limit, the household is eligible for food stamps but is not entitled to benefits.  Place the household in suspend status.

Refer to IMNL Section 1135.035.05.10 for eligibility criteria for categorically eligible households. 

FSU5 Instructions

Enter an "A" in field 26 under Type of Assistance for household members who are considered categorically eligible because the household contains members receiving Temporary Assistance cash and/or support services. 

Enter a "C" in field 26 under Type of Assistance for household members who receive Temporary Assistance cash. 

For the FSU5 system to process categorically eligible households, field 17 can contain no NPA household members.  All household members must be PA or SSI.

• Discuss this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 
• Expanded categorical eligibility policy was effective September 14, 1999.  Implement immediately for all food stamp applications, recertification, or at the next contact with the household.

 
• Counties in which Community Partnership programs are offered must develop procedures to identify individuals participating in these programs.

 
• File the revised manual pages in the hard copy of the food stamp manual.

 

The Food Stamp program is designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households.  Section 2 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 states, in part:  Congress hereby finds that the limited food purchasing power of low-income households contributes to hunger and malnutrition among members of such households.  Congress further finds that increased utilization of food in establishing and maintaining adequate national levels of nutrition promotes the distribution in a beneficial manner of the nation's agricultural abundance and strengthens the nation's agricultural economy, as well as results in more orderly marketing and distribution of foods.  To alleviate such hunger and malnutrition, a Food Stamp program is herein authorized that will permit low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households that apply for participation.

Under the Food Stamp program, eligible households receive a coupon allotment determined by taking 30 percent of the household's net income after deductions and subtracting that amount from the Thrifty Food Plan Allotment for that household size.  Most households have to spend cash in addition to coupons to purchase an adequate diet.  The total value of the allotment is adjusted annually to reflect changes in food prices as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 

1100.005.00    LEGAL BASIS

The legal basis for program administration and determination of the level of participation for households in the program is set forth in the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by the Food Security Act of 1985 and the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
 

1100.010.00    DEFINITIONS
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

The following alphabetical list includes definitions and explanations of some of the terms used in the Food Stamp program.

Allotment:  the total value of coupons a household is authorized to receive during each month or other time period.

Application:  the application form designed or approved by FCS completed by a household member or authorized representative.

ATM (Automatic Teller Machine):  a cash machine located at banks, stores and many other places that allows an individual to withdraw

cash benefits from an EBT account.

Authorization to Participate (ATP) card:  a document issued by the state agency to a certified household showing the allotment the household is authorized to receive on presentation of such document.

Benefit Security Card:  a plastic card with a magnetic stripe utilized by eligible households to access benefits issued in the State of Missouri.  Security is maintained by assigning a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued to an eligible household.

Bona fide loan:  a loan that is supported by a written agreement to repay within a specified time or that is received from an individual or establishment engaged in the business of making loans.  If neither condition applies, a loan can be considered bona fide if the claimant acknowledges (either verbally or by a written statement) the existence of one of the following situations:

• his/her obligation to repay (with or without interest); or

 
• his/her pledge of real or personal property or anticipated income with the intent to repay when funds become available or future anticipated income is received; or

 
• his/her written timetable and plan for repayment.

Categorically eligible household:  a household in which members receive and/or are authorized to receive Temporary Assistance, SSI, SAB, SP, GR, and/or special support services benefits.  If all members of a household receive either SSI, SAB, SP, and/or GR, they may be considered eligible for FS because of their IM/SSI status.  Households with any members receiving Temporary Assistance or special support services may be considered categorically eligible.  Temporary Assistance, for categorical eligibility purposes, includes Temporary Assistance cash, Temporary Assistance/$10 minimum grant, or recoupment to zero grant cases.  Special support services are services/benefits shown in Section 1135.035.00.  SSI includes SSI cash, SSI recouped to zero, or SSI suspended cases.  SAB includes SAB cash, SP includes SP cash, and GR includes GR cash cases. NOTE:  Persons entitled to Title XIX (Medicaid) only are not considered as Temporary Assistance or GR recipients for categorical eligibility purposes.

Coupon issuer:  any office of the state agency or any person, partnership, corporation, organization, political subdivision, or other entity with which a state agency has contracted for, or to which it has assigned responsibility for, the issuance of coupons to households.

Date of Discovery:  the date of discovery of expedited eligibility can be other than the date of application in two situations:  (1) if the application is received in the mail and must be returned to the applicant for signature or further information, add the number of days

the application is in the mail to the date of application to arrive at the date of discovery; and (2) if a change of circumstances is known to DFS on a pending application making the applicant eligible for expedited services, the date the change is known is the date of discovery.

prorated amount, determine eligibility and allotment by considering all income and resources available to the household for the month.

Households eligible for $1, $3, or $5 allotments for subsequent months receive allotments of $2, $4, and $6 respectively to correspond with coupon book denominations.
 

1130.035.05      CATEGORICALLY ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000
 

Consider households with all members eligible for SSI/SAB/SP/GR or any member receiving or authorized to receive Temporary Assistance and/or special support services as categorically eligible.  Do not test against gross and net income limits.  Categorically eligible one or two person households are entitled to an ongoing issuance of $10 regardless of income level.  The initial month's benefits may be less than $10 due to proration.

Suspend categorically eligible households of three or more persons whose income exceeds the categorically eligible issuance table maximums.  Still consider them eligible for FS; however, the benefit amount is zero.
 

1130.035.10      Elderly and Disabled and Other Households

For households containing an elderly or disabled member, use the net monthly adjusted income and household size to determine the basis of issuance.

For households containing no elderly or disabled members and eligible on both gross and net income eligibility limits, use the net monthly adjusted income and household size to determine the basis of issuance.
 

1130.040.00    APPLICATION DISPOSITION -- APPROVAL

To approve an application:

 1. determine the certification period;

 2. determine the monthly coupon allotment;

 3. consider the option for an authorized representative; and

 4. Notify the Household in writing of the approval by:

  a. advising the household of:

   (1) FS allotment amount;

   (2) certification period beginning and ending dates;

   (3) variations in benefit level based on changes anticipated at the time of certification;

   (4) an explanation of the initial allotment if it includes benefits for both the month of application and the current month, and a statement indicating the monthly allotment for the remainder of the certification period;

   (5) the right to a fair hearing and the name and telephone number of the person to contact for further information;

   (6) the telephone number of any individual or organization providing free legal representation, if such individual or organization is available;

   (7) the obligation to report changes in circumstances;

   (8) the need to reapply for continued participation at the end of the certification period;

   (9) how to obtain coupon allotment; and

   (10) any other information useful to the household;

  b. sending the identification card;

  c. sending a notice of expiration if the household is certified for one month only or if the household is certified for two or three months in the month following the month of application; and

  d. including a change report form and self-addressed envelope.

1130.045.00    APPLICATION DISPOSITION -- REJECTION

Notify the household in writing of the rejection and the right to a fair hearing.  The rejection Notification must include:
  1. reason for rejection;

 
 2. the household's right to a fair hearing and the name and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information; and

 3. the telephone number of any individual or organization providing free legal representation, if any such individual

 or organization is available.

1130.050.00    VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION

Each claimant has the right to withdraw the request for assistance at any time.  If during the interview, it becomes clear that the claimant is ineligible on a specific requirement, discuss and fully explain the pertinent law or regulation and the right to appeal.  Explain that verification of ineligibility is not required.  This includes NEED when it is obvious that the claimant's statement regarding amount of income is sufficient to meet need.

Explain that the application is rejected immediately.  If the claimant chooses, he/she may withdraw the request in writing.  Reject the application on the basis of withdrawal.  Inform the applicant that a reapplication may be filed at any time.

 4. reporting the required information about any new sponsor and spouse obtained during a certification period; and

 5. obtaining any necessary cooperation from the sponsor.

 1. income and resources of the immigrant's sponsor and the sponsor's spouse (if living with the sponsor) at the time of the immigrant's application for FS;

 2. name or other identifying information (such as an immigrant registration number), if needed, of other immigrants for whom the sponsor has signed an affidavit of support or similar agreement;

 3. provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act under which the immigrant was admitted;

 4. date of the immigrant's entry or admission as established by INS;

 5. immigrant's date of birth, place of birth, and immigrant registration number;

 6. number of dependents claimed (or could be claimed), if needed, for federal income tax purposes of the sponsor and the sponsor's spouse; and

 7. name, address, and telephone number of the immigrant's sponsor.

DFS is responsible for verifying:

 1. income of the immigrant's sponsor and the sponsor's spouse (if living with the sponsor) at the time of the immigrant's application for FS,

 2. names or other identifying information of other immigrants for whom the sponsor has signed an affidavit of support or similar agreement, if needed, and

 3. all other information determined questionable and that affects household eligibility and benefit level.

 1. Determine eligibility of any remaining household members.

 2. Process income and resources of the ineligible immigrant and

  spouse (excluding the attributed income and resources of the immigrant's sponsor and sponsor's spouse) in the same manner as a disqualified member, and consider in determining the eligibility and benefit level of the remaining household members.

In cases where the immigrant refuses to cooperate and the other adult members do not provide the needed information, the entire household is ineligible.

In cases where the same sponsor is responsible for an entire household of immigrants, the entire household is ineligible until the needed sponsor information is provided and/or verified.

If proper information and verification is subsequently received, act on the information as a reported change in household membership.
 

1135.030.25      Memorandum of Agreement

The Secretary enters into an agreement with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General whereby they inform any sponsor of an immigrant and the immigrant, at the time the sponsor executes an affidavit of support or similar agreement on behalf of an immigrant, of the requirements of Section 1308 of Public Law 97-
98.  Under the agreement of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the State Department and local INS offices, provide information to State agencies needed to carry out the provisions of sponsored immigrants.  This agreement sets forth the specific information that must be released by all parties to facilitate identification of the immigrant and sponsor and enable State agencies to perform required verification of information supplied by the immigrant essential for eligibility determinations.
 

1135.035.00    CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY (CE)
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

The following four groups are categorically eligible for FS:

 1. all household members receive SSI, SAB, or SP;

 2. contain a household member receiving or authorized to receive one or more of the following: 

  NOTE:  To be categorically eligible a participant has to be approved for the benefit or service, but not actually using the service(s).

  a.  Temporary Assistance cash

  b. Transportation Related Expense (TRE) or Work Related Expenses (WRE)--This program provides transportation or

work related expenses for Temporary Assistance participants for 90 days after the closing of the cash case.  Participants receiving this service can be identified through the JCAT screen.

c. Contracted Case Management Services--Participants may be eligible for this service for 12 months after the referral is accepted.  Participants eligible for contracted case management services can be identified through the JCAT screen as load #88,000. 

d. Parent's Fair Share--This program provides case management and support services for non-custodial parents.  The program is administered through the Division of Child Support Enforcement.  Participants of the program can be identified through the JCAT screen with the program identification code of PFS (Parent's Fair Share).

e. Child Care--This program provides child care support for participant households.  Based on the participant's income, the participant may be responsible for a portion of the child care expense based on a sliding scale.  In addition, the participant may be responsible for a co-payment to the provider.  Participants receiving child care assistance can be identified through the Child Care screens.

f. Community Partnerships--Services are provided to help prepare them for the job market.  The services offered include, but are not limited to the following:

Missouri Mentoring--Private companies participate in this program by providing structured job site mentoring with a volunteer on-site mentor.  The individual is hired and paid by the company.  This program is available to individuals up to age 21 and offered in St. Louis City and County, Phelps, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Audrain, Randolph, Boone, Callaway, and Cole counties. 

Dress for Success--This program offers services to women to prepare for job interviews and to gain the skills necessary to obtain employment.  This program is available in St. Louis and the surrounding area.

  g. Independent Living (includes transitional living)--This program is for older youth in alternative care placement through Children's Services.  Individuals or families participating in this program may be in an individual apartment or in a shared living arrangement.  This type of placement can be identified through the

ZCAS screen.  The service worker/case manager is identified on the ZCAS screen.  Check with the service worker/case manager to determine the type of living arrangement and approximate duration of the arrangement for the applicant. 

  h. Foster Care--This program provides a maintenance payment on behalf of a child placed in foster care.  This payment aids foster parents to provide care for the child placed in foster care.  Individuals in foster care placement can be identified through the ZCAS screen.  Note:  The foster parents have the option to include the foster child (and the foster care payment) in the food stamp household.  If the foster parent chooses not to include the foster child, the household cannot be considered as categorically eligible on this basis.

 3. all household members receive GR; or

 4. individual members of the household qualify for SSI, SAB, or SP and only those individuals are categorically eligible.

1135.035.05      CE Household/Members Receive Temporary Assistance/SSI/SAB/SP/Special Support Services
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

Categorically eligible households are households in which all members receive or are authorized to receive SSI, SAB and/or SP benefits.  The entire household is categorically eligible if any member receives or is authorized to receive Temporary Assistance cash or special support services.  Temporary Assistance, for categorical eligibility purposes, includes Temporary Assistance cash, Temporary Assistance/$10 minimum grant, Temporary Assistance recoupment to zero grant cases, or cases in a wage supplementation program; SSI includes SSI cash, SSI suspended and recouped to zero; SAB includes SAB cash; SP includes SP cash; special support services includes those listed in Section 1135.035.00.

NOTE:  Persons entitled to Title XIX (Medicaid) only are not considered as Temporary Assistance participants for categorical eligibility purposes.

Consider households containing ineligible immigrants, ineligible students, or a household member, disqualified for non-compliance with work registration (METP components) or voluntary job quit, as categorically eligible if they meet the requirements.

Do not consider a household categorically eligible if it:

 1. includes a person(s) disqualified for an IPV; or

 2. is institutionalized.  Residents of institutions jointly applying for SSI and FS may be determined eligible for SSI prior to release from the institution.  These persons cannot be categorically eligible until released from the institution.

1135.035.05.05        CE Household Determination (Temporary Assistance/SSI/SAB/SP/Special Support Services)
IM-#  5  January 5, 2000

If any of the following criteria is questionable, obtain verification to establish categorical eligibility.  The household must:

 1. contain only SSI, SAB and/or SP participants;

 2. contain a member who is receiving or authorized to receive Temporary Assistance cash or special support services listed in Section 1135.035.00;

 3. meet the definition of a household; or

 4. include all persons who purchase and prepare food together in one household.

1135.035.05.10        CE Household Eligibility (Temporary Assistance/SSI/SAB/SP/Special Support Services)
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

Households considered categorically eligible must meet the same eligibility requirements as all other households in the following non-financial areas:  residency, citizenship/immigrant status, sponsored immigrant, household determination, identity, work registration, and SSNs.

NOTE:  Households considered categorically eligible are considered eligible without verification required for residency, SSNs, and sponsored immigrant information and resources, including resource transfer.

Categorically eligible households have the same financial requirements.

 1. Income and deductions:  no change in what is defined and budgeted as income or deductions for categorically eligible households.

 2. Reporting requirements:  categorically eligible households have the same reporting requirements as other households.

 1. Resources:  categorically eligible households do not have to meet the resource limits defined for other households.  Resources do not have to be explored or verified for these households.

  NOTE:  Verify interest income on savings, checking, or types of accounts for inclusion as income.

 2. Gross and net income eligibility standards:  categorically eligible households do not have to meet gross or net income eligibility standards.

 3. Benefits:  a household determined to be categorically eligible is entitled to benefits as listed in the Basis of Issuance Tables.  Additional issuance factors for categorically eligible households include the following.

  a. Any one or two person household is entitled to at least a $10 allotment regardless of net income amount.

  b. All other households are entitled to benefits up to an income limit.  When the household's net income exceeds 

that limit, they are eligible for FS; however are not entitled to benefits.

  If the household is entitled to zero benefits, suspend the case.  If the case is in application status, approve the case with no benefits issued.

  The case remains in suspended status until:

   (1) the household becomes entitled to benefits,

   (2) the household is no longer eligible, or

   (3) the certification period expires.

1135.035.10      CE Households/All Members Receiving GR

The following applies when all members of the household are eligible for GR.  The GR claimant is approved but has not received cash benefits yet or is receiving cash GR.  The GR claimant on Medicaid only does not qualify for categorical eligible status.

1135.035.10.05        CE Household Determination (GR)

The household must contain only members eligible for cash GR and meet the definition of a FS household.

Eligibility verification for GR is required.  Verify household composition if it is questionable.

No person is included as a member of an otherwise categorically eligible household if that person is:

 1. an ineligible immigrant,

 2. an ineligible student,

 3. a household member that failed to comply with work registration (METP component) or the work requirement for 18 to 50 year olds,

 4. a household member that voluntarily quit a job,

 5. a household member that failed to provide or apply for an SSN,

 6. a member determined to have an IPV, or

 7. a member that is institutionalized in a non-exempt facility.

 1. the household refused to cooperate in providing eligibility information at an application or case review for the current certification period,

 2. the household failed to comply with striker provisions, or

 3. the household transferred resources for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for FS.

1135.035.10.10        CE Household Eligibility Requirements (GR)

Categorically eligible households must meet the same eligibility requirements as other households, including residency, citizenship/immigrant status, sponsored immigrant, household determination, identity, work registration, and SSN.

NOTE:  GR categorically eligible households are considered eligible without verification of residency, sponsored immigrant information, and resources, except for transfer of resources to qualify for FS.

Categorically eligible households' eligibility requirements differ as follows.

 1. Resources:  GR categorically eligible households do not have to meet the resource maximums as defined for other households.  Do not explore or verify resources, except if the household states they have transferred a resource.  Explore the transfer in the same manner as in a non-categorically eligible household.

 2. Gross and net income maximums:  categorically eligible households do not have to meet the gross or net income standards.

 3. Benefits:  categorically eligible households are entitled to benefits as listed in the Basis of Issuance Tables.  Additional factors apply.

  a. Any one or two person household is entitled to at least a $10 allotment regardless of the net income amount.

  b. All other households are entitled to benefits up to an income limit.  When the household's net income exceeds that limit, they are eligible for FS, however are not entitled to benefits.

1135.035.15      Combination SSI/SAB/SP or GR CE Households
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

A categorically eligible household may have individuals eligible for any combination of SSI, SAB, SP, and GR.  The GR claimant is processed using the categorical eligibility criteria for GR members.  The remaining household members are processed using the categorical eligibility criteria for SSI, SAB and/or SP members.

NOTE:  The entire household is categorically eligible if any household member receives or is authorized to receive Temporary Assistance cash benefits or special support services.

EXAMPLE:  A household consists of one GR participant, two Temporary Assistance participants, and one SSI recipient.  The Temporary Assistance participant transferred a lot at a vacation resort to someone outside the food stamp household.  The Temporary Assistance participant is categorically eligible as transfer of resources is not considered in determining categorical eligibility for Temporary Assistance participants. Therefore, all members of the household are categorically eligible and the household is eligible for food stamps.

EXAMPLE:  A household with two GR participants and two Temporary Assistance participants is applying for FS.  One of the GR participants is currently disqualified from FS due to an IPV claim.  The GR categorical eligibility rules state a member disqualified for an IPV does not make the remaining GR participants categorically ineligible.  So the categorically eligible household consists of one GR participant and the two Temporary Assistance participants.

Using the same household composition, the Temporary Assistance participant is disqualified for the IPV rather than the GR participant.  The Temporary Assistance categorical eligibility rules state a Temporary Assistance household cannot be categorically eligible if one member is disqualified for an IPV.  Therefore, the entire household is not categorically eligible.
 

1135.035.20      Applications and Reapplications
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

Determine categorical eligibility, or potential categorical eligibility, at the time of application.

Screen FS applications made jointly with Temporary Assistance, GR,  SAB, or special support services for expedited services at the time of 
application.  If the household qualifies for expedited services, process the application using the expedited services procedures the same day the application is taken.

If the caseworker verifies on the date of application that the claimant is ineligible for FS because of an eligibility factor such as household resources exceed the allowable maximums (i.e., the fair market value of the automobile less the exclusion exceeds $2000/$3000), place the application in pending status.  Expedited services cannot be given since the FS household is ineligible for benefits on the date of application.  A household that is potentially categorically eligible cannot be denied for 30 days from the date of application.  When the IM case is completed, process the FS case at the same time.

At the time the Temporary Assistance cash, GR cash, SAB, or SSI is approved, evaluate the FS application for expedited services.  Evaluate for the month of application or the first month of the new certification period.

If entitled to expedited services, issue expedited benefits within expedited time frames using the date the IM/SSI grant is approved as the date of discovery.  Prorate benefits from the date IM benefits are payable (date of eligibility) or the date of the FS application, whichever is later.

EXAMPLE:  Mrs. Smith applies for Temporary Assistance and FS on 1/6.  She has no income or liquid resources as she was laid off.  She is screened as expedited service eligible.  Mrs. Smith claims she is buying an automobile with a value of $8,000.  This automobile makes the family ineligible for FS benefits but the application cannot be rejected for 30 days or until the Temporary Assistance application is rejected.  Record expedited benefits are not issued as the household is ineligible due to resources.  The automobile with a NADA value of $8,000 less the $4,650 exclusion leaves a resource value of $3,350, exceeding the resource limit of $2,000.  The Temporary Assistance application is still pending.  If Temporary Assistance cash is approved in January, issue expedited benefits with the date the Temporary Assistance is approved as the date of discovery.

For non-expedited cases where processing time frames have not changed, take action on the case as follows:

 1. A household potentially categorically eligible cannot be denied for 30 days from the date of application.  The household can be denied only if during the 30 days the Temporary Assistance, SAB, GR and/or SSI application is denied and the household is not otherwise eligible for FS.

 2. A household that applied for Temporary Assistance, GR, SAB, and FS is approved for FS as categorically eligible, if within the 30 days from application, the IM application is approved.

 3. If the Temporary Assistance, SSI, GR and/or SAB application has not been acted on, and the 30 days from the date of application have nearly expired, process the case under non-IM procedures.

 4. If FS are denied as a non-IM household, and later the Temporary Assistance, SSI, GR and/or SAB is approved, provide the household benefits using the original application and any other pertinent information occurring subsequent to that application.  SSI households are entitled to the excess medical deduction and the uncapped excess shelter deduction from the date SSI benefits are payable or the date of the original FS application, whichever is later.  Do not re-interview the household.  Contact the household by telephone or mail regarding changes.  The application is updated, and the household initials the changes indicated and resigns the form.  The form can be mailed to the household to have the changes initialed and the form re-signed.

  Prorate benefits from the date the IM benefits are payable (date of eligibility for benefits) or the date of the FS application, whichever is later.

  EXAMPLE:  The household applies for Temporary Assistance and FS on 6/3.  On 7/2, the 30th day from application, the FS application is denied.  The Temporary Assistance application is approved on 7/20.  Take the following action.

  a. Contact the household regarding changes.

  b. Update the application.

  c. Send to household to initial changes.

  d. Approve FS case.

  e. Prorate benefits from the date of the beginning of Temporary Assistance eligibility (7/1) as this date is later than the FS application date of 6/3.

  Act on re-evaluating the original application at the household's request or when becoming otherwise aware of the household's IM and/or SSI eligibility.

  Inform the household to report if Temporary Assistance, SSI, GR and/or SAB is approved.

1135.035.25      Cancel Closing an SP Case

When an SP case is cancel closed, the claimant becomes categorically eligible for FS.  Process a FS application under the procedures discussed in this section.
 

1135.035.30      CE for Individual Household Members
IM-#  5  January 7, 2000

Participants of SSI, SP, or SAB, who are part of a household in which other members do not receive these benefits, are categorically resource eligible.  Exclude from the household's total resources those resources verified as belonging to the SSI, SP, or SAB participant.  If resources are held jointly with a non-categorically eligible household member, count in total resources only that portion contributed by the non-categorically eligible member.

NOTE:  The law allowing the exclusion of an SSI, SP, or SAB household member's resources does not include GR.  Continue to count the resources of a household member receiving GR in the household's total resources.

Treat income for categorical household members the same as for non-categorical members.  The household must meet gross and net income standards.