MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective July 1, 2012 a change in eligibility unit (EU) composition reported by the EU is considered verified upon receipt for the Food Stamp (FS) Program. The following is a change in policy:

• When an eligibility unit (EU) member reports s/he or another EU member has moved out of the Food Stamp EU this is considered verified upon receipt and action is taken on the Food Stamp benefits.
• When an EU member reports s/he or another EU member has moved into an ineligible living arrangement, i.e. an institution providing them with a majority of their meals (over 50 percent of three meals daily), this is considered verified upon receipt and action is taken on the Food Stamp benefits. If this is a one person household action is taken to close the Food Stamp benefits.

EXAMPLE:  Ms. A reports her boyfriend has moved out of the Food Stamp household. Enter the appropriate verification code on the Supercase Residence Maintenance (FM0L/INHOME) screen, complete an eligibility determination resolution (EDRES), and authorize the action to complete the adverse action to remove the household member.

EXAMPLE:  Ms. A's boyfriend reports he has moved out of the Food Stamp household.  Enter the appropriate verification code on the Supercase Residence Maintenance (FM0L/INHOME) screen, complete an eligibility determination resolution (EDRES), and authorize the action to complete the adverse action to remove the household member.

When someone outside of the FS household reports a member has moved out of the FS EU, this is not from the source, and is not considered verified upon receipt.

EXAMPLE:  Ms. A's neighbor reports Ms. A's boyfriend moved out of the Food Stamp household.  The neighbor is not part of the Food Stamp EU. This information is not considered verified upon receipt. Record the information that was reported on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (FM3Z) screen in FAMIS. This is not sufficient information to determine the impact to the Food Stamp EU, and is not acted upon until the next recertification or mid-certification review.

If the reported change from a non-EU member results in terminating an EU's IM cash grant within its FS certification period, and sufficient information does not exist to determine how the change affects the EU's FS eligibility and benefit level, do not automatically terminate benefits. Send the EU a Request for Contact (FA-331, IM-31) form along with the IM cash grant Notice of Adverse Action. Request information needed to clarify the EU's current circumstances. Give the EU at least ten days to provide the requested information. Record the date the IM-31 RFC was sent on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (FM3Z) screen.

If the EU does not request a hearing regarding the change in its IM benefits and does not provide information to clarify its current circumstances, authorize a worker initiated adverse action closing (AAWC) with reason COO (failed to cooperate) and send an FA-510, Adverse Action notice, to close the Food Stamp case. Record the reason for the action on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen. The case is closed effective the month following the month in which the notice of adverse action expires. Refer to the Worker Initiated Closing user guide for instructions. The Food Stamp Manual Sections 1140.05.20.10 Changes Considered Verified Upon Receipt for EU,1140.05.20.30 Member Moves Out of the Home, and  Simplified Reporting Questions/Answers are updated to reflect this change in policy.

There is no change in what Food Stamp households are required to report. Once an EU is certified and is subject to simplified reporting, the only changes required to be reported are when:

• gross monthly income exceeds 130% of poverty, or
• there is a reduction in the number of hours worked by ABAWD individuals.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

AC/cb