MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective July 13, 2009, a Food Stamp application will pend for compliance with METP when:

• the EU includes a sanctioned individual who would make the EU eligible if included in the eligibility determination, and
• the EU is ineligible for Food Stamp benefits due to excess income without the sanctioned individual.

Pending the application gives the sanctioned individual an opportunity to meet METP requirements by compliance with the Division of Workforce Development (DWD). If the EU is ineligible due to excess income when including the sanctioned person, the application does not pend.

There is no change to the process for pending Food Stamp applications for compliance. The only change is that a new group of EUs, those ineligible due to excess income when the sanctioned individual is excluded, is included in the pending process.

Initial and non-timely Food Stamp applications continue to pend until compliance or for 30 days, and timely re-applications pend until compliance or the end of the current certification. If the controlled flow is complete and the EU does not provide all required verification, including verification of compliance with DWD:

• Initial and non-timely applications are rejected on the night of the 30th day, if the 30th day is a business day. If not a business day, FAMIS rejects the application the night of the first business day following the 30th day.
• Timely reapplications are rejected the night of the last day of the certification, if the last day is a business day. If the last day is not a business day, FAMIS rejects the application the night of the first business day following the end of the certification.

Sanctioned Individual Complies

When the sanctioned individual complies, enter the compliance date on the Sanction/Disqualification (FMAM) screen. Refer to the Food Stamp Manual, Section 1105.025.60 – 1105.030.00 for instructions on ending Food Stamp sanctions. When the sanctioned individual has served the mandatory disqualification period and all other verification is provided, the sanctioned individual is then included in the eligibility determination for the appropriate months.

EXAMPLE: Mr. L is serving his second MTP sanction which began in June. The L's made an initial application for Food Stamp benefits in July. Mr. L complied with DWD in July and his sanction is ended. Mr. L is ineligible for benefits in July and August because he must be sanctioned for three months. FAMIS includes him in the eligibility determination for September.

Sanctioned Individual Has Not Served Mandatory Period of Ineligibility

When the sanctioned individual has not yet served the mandatory period of disqualification and that period will not end during the months in which FAMIS completes an eligibility determination, the application does not pend. The EU continues to be rejected when ineligible due to excess income.

EXAMPLE: Ms. B began serving her third MTP sanction in June 2009. The B's made an initial application for Food Stamp benefits on June 30, 2009. FAMIS completes an eligibility determination for the months of June, July, and August. Since Ms. B's mandatory period of disqualification does not end during any of those months and the remaining EU members are ineligible for benefits due to excess income during that period of time, the application fails and does not pend.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

JKW